Sussex Premier Health, Hastings: Important update for patients with upcoming appointments
Sussex Premier Health, Hastings: Important update for patients with upcoming appointments
Enhancing your breasts is the UK’s most common cosmetic surgery.
At Sussex Premier Health, our cosmetic surgeons perform breast augmentation using a range of implant options to suit your needs.
1 night
General
No
60 – 90 minutes
Yes
It’s an operation to make your breasts larger by inserting an implant – made of either silicone or saline – under your breast tissue or your chest muscles. It can also be done to correct different-sized breasts or to change their shape.
You might be considering breast enlargement surgery because:
You might benefit more from a breast uplift instead – a procedure to combat drooping and improve the shape of your breasts.
Deciding whether to have breast enlargement
Choosing to have breast enlargement surgery is an important decision. Take your time to think about why you want the surgery and research what it involves – now and in the future. It’s also important to remember that all surgical procedures have some risks.
Before you decide to go ahead, make sure that you:
You should choose a surgeon who has the correct training and experience to perform breast enlargement. As a minimum, cosmetic surgeons need to be registered with and licensed by the General Medical Council (GMC) as a doctor and many will also be on the GMC’s specialist register, although doctors can sometimes practice in a specialty not shown on their Specialist Register entry. You can check this register to see a doctor’s specialties (and sub-specialties) that they are qualified in and the date they joined the specialist register in each specialty.
You can find a cosmetic surgeon on a specialist registers provided by:
As an example, all BAAPS surgeons have the highest level of training and qualifications, are on the GMC’s specialist register and are committed to excellence in aesthetic surgery.
When researching a surgeon, you may want to find out:
You’ll be able to meet one of our experienced cosmetic surgeons in a private consultation room. There will be an opportunity to discuss:
• The type of breast augmentation procedure that you’d like to have and the different implant options that are available to you
• Your medical history
• Any other surgery you might want to consider as an alternative to breast augmentation, such as breast uplift, as this might be a better option for you
• The kind of tests you’ll need to have before the procedure
• What’s involved in having the surgery, including the anaesthetic, and any risks and complications
• Any other questions or concerns you may have about your surgery and what happens afterwards
Your surgeon will also examine your breasts and may ask to take confidential photos for your medical records.
You won’t be put under pressure to make any decisions straight away. Your consultant will explain that even if you feel sure about what you’d like to do next, there’s at least a two week cooling-off period before the operation in case you change your mind.
Before you go ahead with the operation, you may need to have a pre-operative assessment.
Your surgeon will be able to explain how long you’re likely to stay in hospital and what you need to bring with you. In some cases you may be ready to go home on the same day as your procedure.
On the day of your operation, our ward staff will show you to your own private room. Your private room will have an en-suite bathroom and TV and Wi-Fi facilities.
Once you’re ready, our nurses will help you prepare for your operation. You will see your consultant and there’ll be a chance to meet your anaesthetist and surgical team.
Before the procedure you’ll have a general anaesthetic so you’ll be asleep. During the operation which usually takes between one and two hours your surgeon will make incisions in your breasts and insert your new implants.
After surgery, you’ll probably feel some pain or discomfort – our nursing team will give you painkillers to help you with this.
Before you go home, your nurse will give you advice about caring for your wounds, hygiene and showering. You’ll be given a date for a follow-up appointment so your consultant can make sure that everything’s as it should be. At home, you can also take over-the-counter painkillers if needed.
Your surgery will be performed by your consultant surgeon.
Breast cancer screening is performed using mammography, which uses X-ray imaging to detect cancers that are too small to feel. After breast enlargement, the X-rays can’t pass through the implant and so some of your breast tissue won’t be visible on the images making them less accurate. You’ll need to tell your mammography service that you’ve had a breast enlargement so they can take special views and possibly screen you at a different centre. Mammograms are safe and don’t cause implants to rupture.
A rupture is when the implant splits or a hole appears in the shell. When a saline implant ruptures, the saline liquid inside will be harmlessly absorbed by your body over a few days, making the breast appear deflated. This will be easy to notice and the ruptured implant should be removed and may be replaced with a new one at the same time.
When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel may stay within the implant shell. If this happens, you may not notice unless you have a scan. However, some people experience pain, thickening, changes in shape of their breast and lumps (siliconomas) which are only detectable on scans. In these cases, you should contact your surgeon or GP and the implant will need to be removed.
You should choose a surgeon who has the correct training and experience to perform breast enlargement. As a minimum, cosmetic surgeons need to be registered with and licensed by the General Medical Council (GMC) as a doctor and many will also be on the GMC’s specialist register, although doctors can sometimes practice in a specialty not shown on their Specialist Register entry. You can check this register to see a doctor’s specialties (and sub-specialties) that they are qualified in and the date they joined the specialist register in each specialty.
You can find a cosmetic surgeon on a specialist registers provided by:
When researching a surgeon, you may want to find out:
Breast implants don’t last forever and many women find they need further surgery after about 10 years. This can be because of problems with the implant itself or to maintain their shape. Manufacturers state that they should last between 10 to 15 years. If you don’t experience any problems, your surgeon may recommend you leave them in place for longer.
When a saline implant ruptures, the saline fluid inside is quickly (over a few days) released into the body and harmlessly excreted.
If the implant is covered with just a thin layer of tissue, this can cause rippling. The layer of tissue sticks to the implant surface and it’s difficult to treat.
Your stitches will be removed or dissolved around one or two weeks after your operation. You should be able to return to normal activities at around six weeks with your breasts looking and feeling more natural from six to 12 weeks after your operation.
Silicone implants are less likely to rupture than saline implants. Manufacturers state that implants should last between 10 and 15 years, though many women need further surgery after about 10 years. This can be due to implant rupture or changes in the shape of their breast around the implant.
Speak to a member of our team
01424 757400 
info@sussexpremierhealth.com 
01424 757400