implants
Things you should know before getting Breast Implants
When it comes to enlarging your breast size breast implants have always been the popular option. There such a wealth of information out there these days that you may feel you know everything there is to know, but we are going to share some of our helpful tips about things you should know before getting breast implants as a breast augmentation option.
Trust your surgeon’s opinion
You may turn up to your consultation fully set on what size, profile and make of implants you want as well as the location you want them to sit in and you may feel slightly put down if your surgeon suggests otherwise. An experienced surgeon will know what works and after discussing your lifestyle and assessing your current breast tissue and body type they will be able to best suggest which implant and technique is going to give you the best result without any avoidable complications.
Breast Implants will feel different to normal breasts
Although the implants are generally designed to feel like natural breasts, they are still man-made and won’t feel like natural breast tissue. If you are of a smaller frame with little breast tissue you may wish to opt for a smaller implant to achieve a natural look and possibly consider the under the muscle option.
You can try out different implant sizes
Before your procedure you will have a sizing session, this may take place during your initial consultation or you may come back a second time. This session is your chance to try on the different sizes of implants to help give you an idea of what you might like.
Have realistic goals
It is unlikely that you will be able to go from a small A cup to a large F cup all at once. Set realistic goals as your body and skin will take time to adapt to drastic changes. If you are looking to go large, your surgeon may advise that you take it a couple of cup sizes at a time.
Pregnancy may affect your implant
If you are planning on having children in the near future you may wish to wait before having breast implants. During pregnancy your breast tissue increases in volume and if you choose to breastfeed they will stay large during that time. The increase in breast size can cause your skin to stretch then shrink and those who have implants are more at risk of drooping and possibly needing a revision at a later date.
Medical Check
It is important that you are fit and healthy before your operation. You need be at your ideal weight; dramatic weight loss after surgery could change the appearance of your breasts resulting in possible revisions in the future. If you are a smoker you should stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery, smoking can slow down the healing of your body after surgery and leave you more at risk to infections, wound breakdown and other complications.
The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is renowned for setting high standards in the cosmetic industry and we value our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction. From the first consultation through to your first-class aftercare, our team is sympathetic, caring and highly skilled. There’s no hard-sell, just good advice and the best possible results. We have some of the most experienced and well-respected surgeons in the industry as part of our breast implant team including:
- Mr Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc, FRCS (Plast.) GMC Number: 3286812
- Mr Navid Jallali BSc MB ChB (Hons) MD FRCS (Plast) GMC Number: 4404969
- Mr Dario Rochira BS, MD GMC Number: 6130664
- Mr Davood Fallahdar FRCS (Plast) Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Plastic) GMC Number: 4686602
- Ms Lyndsey Highton, BM BCh (Oxon) MA FRCS (Plast) GMC Number: 6128243
- Mr Philip Lim BSc (Hons), MB ChB, AFRCS (Ed), MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast) GMC Number: 4219068
- Mr Olubowale, MB ChB, MSc (Sheffield), FRCSI, FRCSI (Gen Surg) GMC Number 6044974
- Mr Maisam Fazel MA(Cantab) MB BChir MSEd FRCS GMC Number: 4767420
- Mr Mobinulla Syed MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCS (Plast) GMC Number: 6035480
- Mr Prashant Govilkar, MBBS MS MCh FRCS FRCS (Plast) GMC Number: 4258041
- Mr Adel Fattah, FRCS (Plast.) GMC Number: 4764599
- Mr Kenneth Kok MBChB MRCS MSc(Hons) FRCS(plast) GMC Number: 4701147
Breast Augmentation Myths Exposed
You hear many things about breast implants and it can often be hard to know what to believe. If you don’t have any friends of family members with breast implants then you can often fall foul of believing the many myths about them. Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Adrian Richards and his team of surgical nurses have highlighted the most common myths that many patients often believe before coming in for a consultation. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery and initially researching the procedure, read on to dispel some of the myths about having breast implants.
#1 You can easily tell when someone has breast implants
This simply isn’t true. Highly experienced and qualified Consultant Plastic Surgeons know exactly how to place and position implants and ensure that the correct size, shape and placement (above or below the muscle) are right for the patient. This ensures that results are natural and in proportion to the body shape and size of the patient. It is often only those that have surgery with a less experienced surgeon that may noticeably look like they have implants, as breasts can often be too large, asymmetrical or just badly positioned. Implants have advanced considerably in recent years and are designed to work with natural breast tissue to look and feel like an extension of the breast. Aside from looking at someone to determine if they have implants, it is often just as difficult to tell by touch, unless there are very visible scars under the bust line, which is uncommon, then you would be very hard pushed to know if someone has breast implants by touching the breasts.
#2 Implants can burst on flights

Absolutely not! This myth has been around for years and still gets asked in consultations. There is no possible way that implants can burst while you are on a flight. Implants have developed not only in their ability to deliver a natural appearance but also in their durability. Implants are extremely strong and cannot easily be torn or burst. Mr Richards recently took part in the Nagor twist challenge to try and burst an implant, even after resorting to using a hammer and he could not tear or damage the implant.
#3 All implants will need to be replaced at some point in your life

This isn’t the case for everyone. Most women make the decision to replace their implants after 12 to 15 years, however, if you haven’t experienced any problems with your implants there is no reason to replace them. It really is a personal choice, if you are not having any issues with your implants you can keep them in for as long as you want. Many women feel that they want to replace them or remove them as they are at a different stage in their life and want a different look or their implants do not match their current body shape. This is a common reason to change and many woman look to change the size or shape of the implant or to have a lift while replacing the implants.
#4 You won’t be able to breastfeed

Wrong. There is no reason that you can’t breastfeed following breast augmentation surgery. As long as the nipples have not been touched (for example getting nipple reduction or inverted nipple correction with your augmentation) then your ability to breastfeed should not be affected by breast augmentation surgery. It is perfectly natural and safe to breastfeed if you have implants. If you consider that baby bottle teats are made of silicon, which many implants are made from you can appreciate that implants will not pose any risk to your baby when breastfeeding. If you have an uplift with your augmentation this could affect your ability to breastfeed, however, this really depends on the approach the surgeon uses for the procedure.
#5 You can’t have a mammogram

Not true. A woman with breast implants can have a mammogram just like any other woman. You just need to let them know that you have implants in advance of your scan as a different type of machine or a different technique may need to be used to ensure you get an accurate scan.
#6 Implants can freeze in cold temperatures
No. Implants cannot freeze in the cold or melt in the heat! In extremely cold temperatures the breasts may feel colder to touch, however not significantly colder than a woman with natural breasts.
#7 Implants can be detected in a scanner at the airport
No. Airport scanners are good, but not that good! Breast implants cannot be detected when you walk through an airport security scanner and you do not need to announce that you have implants to anyone that works there unless specifically asked. You also do not require any type of medical note to declare that you have breast implants although you may wish to take a copy of the details of your breast implants just in case anything was to happen whilst you are away and you require that information.
#8 Implants have to be removed if you are buried or cremated

Not if you don’t want them to be. A bit of a morbid thought, but you do not need to have your implants removed when you are buried or cremated. Some people do request to have their implants removed however so it is a personal choice. You can be buried with your implants or, if cremated, the implants will be left at the bottom of the cremation chamber, so both options are not impacted by having breast implants.
Why choose Breast Augmentation with The Private Clinic?
- The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 35 years with thousands of women placing their trust in us each year
- Top UK specialised best breast surgeons with decades of experience
- Multi-award winning provider voted Best Cosmetic Surgery Practise 2018 by the MyFaceMyBody Awards
- State-of-the-art hospital facilities
- Giving you the best possible results and care is our priority
- We provide a 10 year implant warranty with £1000 towards your surgical costs.
- Dedicated care with your expert breast surgeon and nursing team, and a 24 hour help line
- Peace of mind with our personal three-year aftercare breast cover
- The Private Clinic covers a lifetime guarantee on your implant
- 5 Star Trustpilot Rating
- All of the breast options are discussed not just one type of implant. So you will be happy with your shape
- See our before and after photo results gallery
- Read our extensive FAQs
- Find out more in our informative blogs
- Watch our Breast Enlargement Patient Journey video series with Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Adrian Richards
- We have clinics nationwide in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton
Best Breast Surgeons at The Private Clinic
We have some of the UK’s leading Consultant Surgeons as part of our surgical breast augmentation team including:
- Mr Adrian Richards in London, Buckinghamshire and Northampton
- Mr Davood Fallahdar in London
- Mr Navid Jallali in London
- Mr Maisam Fazel in Birmingham, Buckinghamshire and Northampton
- Mr Dario Rochira in London and Bristol
- Mr Olumuyiwa Olubowale in Leeds
- Mr Kenneth Kok in Birmingham
- Mr Mobinulla Syed in London
- Mr Adel Fattah in Manchester
- Ms Lyndsey Highton in Manchester
- Mr Prashant Govilkar in Buckinghamshire
- Mr Philip Lim in Leeds
To find out more please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online breast augmentation contact form to request a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.
Choosing the perfect implants
When it comes to choosing the perfect implants, the choice can be a little overwhelming. In general, you shouldn’t worry too much because your plastic surgeon will be there to best advise you on what they think is best for your body.
The idea of ‘ideal breasts’ will differ from person to person – it is highly subjective and very much based on your individual opinion. Everyone will have their own idea of how they want their breasts to look post-surgery.
What is the best make of breast implant?
To ensure that you get a high-quality product, it is recommended you stick to the three main manufacturers of breast implants which are Motiva, Nagor and Mentor. Your surgeon will be able to recommend which one will be best for you.
The best place to have your implants depends on your body. If you have enough breast tissue then you may suit your implants being placed over the muscle, however, if you do not have enough breast tissue to start with then this can look very unnatural.
For those who have less breast tissue then it is most likely that you will be recommended to go with the dual plane option of under one muscle.
Each of the options can be fully discussed with your surgeon at your consultation.
What does CC mean?
You will most likely have an idea of what cup size you aim to be but implant sizes are measured in cubic centimetres, more commonly known as CC’s. During your sizing appointment, you will have a chance to try out different sized implants and work out along with your nurse and doctor, which sized implants will work best for your body frame and existing breast tissue.
There is no precise way to work out the correlation between breast implant cc’s and cup sizes. Cup size measurements are not a good way to measure the breast as there is no standardized sizing among bra manufacturers.
Why do implants come in different shapes?
We all come in different shapes and sizes and this is no different for implants. You will first need to decide between round implants and teardrop implants and then make a choice between moderate and high profile.
A round implant is a perfect choice if you have a good shape to your bust but are lacking in volume as the implant is uniform in shape.
A teardrop implant is a good choice if you have a flat bust and are lacking shape. The implant is designed to mimic the natural slope a breast meaning it is narrower at the top with the volume being more evident at the bottom
What profile should I choose?
The difference between a moderate and high profile implant is how far the implant will project from your chest. When you are choosing your breast profile it is important to look at the current width of your breast as it is always recommended that you attempt to match your implant to be a similar size to your existing breast width to ensure that your end result looks natural and proportionate to your body.
The best way to achieve a natural looking breast augmentation is to pick implant profiles (width and projection) that match your existing breasts. But you don’t have to decide alone it is, of course, great for you to turn up at your consultation with a ready-made plan as it means your expectations are clear and easy for your surgeon to understand. It is however very important that you listen to your surgeon’s advice about what they feel is right for your body and your lifestyle.
What base is best?
You may not know that you can actually get a variation on the shape of the base of your implant. The base of the implant is the footprint of the implant, the most common shape is round, but it does not always need to be round. If you choose to have a teardrop implant then as well as round, you can also choose the base to be oval vertically or oval horizontally. Round implants are best suited to the average build of a woman if you are slightly taller with an athletic physique you may suit a vertical oval-shaped base, and if you are slightly wider in the chest area then you may be recommended to try the horizontal oval implant. Your surgeon will discuss the best type of base for you.
The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is renowned for setting high standards in the cosmetic industry and we value our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction. From the first consultation through to your first-class aftercare, our team is sympathetic, caring and highly skilled. There’s no hard-sell, just good advice and the best possible results. We have some of the most experienced and well-respected surgeons in the industry as part of our breast implant team including:
- Mr Adrian Richards in London, Buckinghamshire and Northampton
- Mr Davood Fallahdar in London
- Mr Navid Jallali in London
- Mr Maisam Fazel in Birmingham, Buckinghamshire and Northampton
- Mr Dario Rochira in London and Bristol
- Mr Olumuyiwa Olubowale in Leeds
- Mr Kenneth Kok in Birmingham
- Mr Mobinulla Syed in London
- Mr Adel Fattah in Manchester
- Ms Lyndsey Highton in Manchester
- Mr Prashant Govilkar in Buckinghamshire
- Mr Philip Lim in Leeds
To find out more please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online breast augmentation contact form to request a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.
The Private Clinic, Manchester: Plastic Surgery Treatments
We realise that some results can only be attained surgically, so we have selected a wide range aesthetic treatment options for you to choose from.
Our Manchester clinic is one of four where we offer surgical procedures on top of our minimally invasive, walk in, walk out procedures, and the list below gives you an outline of the solutions available to you.
Facial Procedures
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid and Eye Bag Surgery is the darling of plastic surgery. It’s straightforward (lasting only 30mins at times), has very short recovery time (about one to two weeks) and has consistent, rejuvenating results. By removing any excess skin and fat, the surgery can help those with heavy, hooded or drooping eyelids, as well as those with puffiness and large eye bags under the eyes.
Blepharoplasty is particularly popular because it can be done under local anaesthetic and due to how swiftly the procedure is carried out. The eye-opening results speak for themselves.
Rhinoplasty

One of the oldest procedures around, Rhinoplasty is a very popular procedure that makes it possible to change the shape, size and length of a nose and its alar bases. Our surgeons make incisions inside your nose to then internally operate on skin, cartilage and bone to avoid visible scarring.
Otoplasty and Earlobe Correction
Ear surgery usually serves to pin back protruding ears although in some appropriate cases, their shape and size can also be altered. Earlobe Reconstruction, on the other hand, focuses on repairing sagging, stretched or ripped earlobes by removing excess skin and reshaping the remaining tissue.
Facelift
We offer numerous minimally invasive treatments that can push back the years on your face, but the results can never be as dramatic as those achieved through a surgical procedure. So, for those who have experienced advanced ageing and wishing to have low-maintenance, long-lasting results, then a bespoke Facelift procedure might be just the answer.+
The Mini Facelift is especially popular among those who want to manage the signs of ageing and have moderate amounts of excess skin. The cheeks and jawline can be redefined by removing unnecessary skin and visibly rejuvenate your face by giving it a fresher sand more open appearance.
Body Procedures
Arm Lift

This procedure is designed to address ‘bingo wings’ by removing excess skin and fat, to then tighten any lax tissue. The treatment may be combined with Liposuction to create an even tone and precise definition.
Breast Augmentation

Known as the most popular cosmetic procedure in most countries, Breast Augmentation relies on silicone gel-filled implants to increase breast volume by placing them either behind or in front of pectoral muscles. Continuous technological advances mean that implants are becoming more malleable, resistant and safer as we move into the future.
Nipple Correction
If you have inverted nipples that don’t project and feel uncomfortable about them, then know that they can usually be corrected by releasing some of the milk ducts that might be pulling them inwards. Determining the cause of your inversion will determine the best way to go about treatment.
The procedure is a simple one that only requires the use of local anaesthetic. The recovery period is minimal, usually about a week, though some women have reported feeling like normal after just a couple of days.
Male Chest/ Female Breast Reduction

When a woman’s breasts are too large, they can turn into an emotional and painful physical struggle. Men suffering from Gynecomastia (A.K.A. ‘moobs’) won’t end up bent over backwards, but they can be affected psychologically and feel like their enlarged breasts are setting them back. Surgical Breast Reduction can help both to remove excess fat and breast tissue to reduce the volume in that area.

Breast Uplift
Sagging breasts can be addressed by removing excess skin to shape and position the breasts, but an Uplift also makes it easy to alter and reposition the areola. It can be combined with a Breast Reduction to make up for the loss of volume resulting from the procedure.
Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty

Famously at the core of the ‘Mummy Makeover’, Tummy Tucks are a straightforward way of removing excess skin, fat deposits and rectifying a drop in the underlying muscle. Mini versions of the treatment can also be performed if there is good muscle tone and mainly wants to address on the lower abdomen.
Labiaplasty
Showing your vagina’s labia (lips) to a stranger can be a daunting thought, which is why our surgeons treat patients with enlarged or stretched labia, with absolute respect and discretion. The treatment consists of removing excess skin– not the labia proper – in order to ‘tidy up’ that area.
Scarring
As a rule, during all of the above-mentioned procedures, our surgeons take great care to make incisions along the natural folds and fine lines of your skin, so as to minimise visible scarring as much as possible.
The Private Clinic, Manchester
Our friendly Manchester team is dedicated to helping you find the best options for you and to support you throughout your surgical transformation, particularly post-operatively. We encourage you to pay us a visit is you’re considering plastic surgery and want honest and objective advice, given with your best interest in mind.
We pride ourselves in the expertise our Consultant Plastic Surgeons bring to the table and we’ve made a point of selecting elite candidates who our patients can rely on.
Recovery after Breast Augmentation: The aftercare guide
While interest in certain plastic surgery procedures has waned, Breast Enlargement has consistently held sway with women for over a decade.
Smaller breast implants may be in fashion now, but big or small, the same measures have to be adhered to post-operatively to promote as quick and comfortable a recovery as possible.

What to expect once your Breast Implants are in place
We recommend that you arrange for a friend or family member to chaperone you home and stay with you for 24 to 48 hours following your procedure – but before you head off, your surgeon will take you through some instructions to help ease your recovery process.
Here, we list some of the most important points of those guidelines:
- It’s likely that anaesthetic will be used during your procedure, so be aware that as it wears off you may start experiencing a little bit of tightness and swelling.
- Drinking plenty of fluids is an essential part of your recovery, although carbonated and caffeinated drinks should be avoided at first. No alcohol either.
- It is absolutely crucial that you refrain from smoking for at least a week following your surgery. However, you really shouldn’t smoke for the next three months.
- You can start swimming and exercising your upper body after four to six weeks, but remember to wear a good sports bra when you do so.
- Seatbelts can cause irritation so you shouldn’t drive for at least a week.
- You may want to arrange for help around the house and/or childcare.
- Try wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothes, which don’t need to be pulled over your head, day and night.
- You’ll have to wear a support garment day and night for four to six weeks.
- Avoid putting pressure on your breasts by sleeping on your back.
- Depending on how you feel, you can start trying to handle your breasts once four weeks have passed.
- Keep your dressings dry in the week after your surgery and only shower your lower body in lukewarm water to stop any steam from affecting them.
- Your dressings will be removed and your wound lightly cleaned after a week during your first checkup. Afterwards, you may shower with them on and dab the wound dry.
- Your stitches are internal and will take a couple of weeks to dissolve. However, if one pokes out, don’t pull on it, call us and we’ll have a nurse remove it.
- If a light crust appears on the incision line, don’t remove it. You can use BioOil to improve the appearance of your scar but your surgeon may suggest a silicone based scar cream.
- Take your antibiotics as prescribed.
Healing with Breast Implants
Once you return home after your Breast Augmentation, you should rest as much as possible and take at least 7-10 days off work. You can take on very light duties and walk around gently, but any stretching or heavy lifting is ill-advised in the first 10 days post-surgery.
You might experience some bruising and swelling after the procedure, but it should subside in two to three weeks. Any pain that you experience should be managed with painkillers and don’t panic if only one breast hurts. This is no cause for concern – it’s simply that your breasts may be healing at a different pace.

You also shouldn’t worry if you hear a crackling or sloshing sort of sensation around your breasts or beneath your skin. This is simply some air that would have become trapped within the breast pocket during surgery. It should take about 10 days to dissolve – which it always does.
Finally, your breasts will seem to be placed pretty high up, but they will gradually lower in the months to come. Be aware that they might do so at different speeds and will eventually both settle into a natural position.
You should expect to see your final results around the six months mark and we recommend that you have an MRI scan every two years after that to ensure that all is as it should be.
The Private Clinic
Our team of Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons is formed of elite members who have a proven record of being discreet, trustworthy and of course, highly skilled. They include:
- Mr Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc, FRCS (Plast.) GMC: 3286812 in London, Buckinghamshire and Northampton
- Mr Davood Fallahdar FRCS (Plast) Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Plastic) GMC: 4686602 in London
- Mr Navid Jallali BSc MB ChB (Hons) MD FRCS (Plast) GMC: 4404969
in London - Mr Maisam Fazel MA(Cantab) MB BChir MSEd FRCS GMC: 4767420
in Birmingham, Buckinghamshire and Northampton - Mr Dario Rochira BS, MD GMC: 6130664
in London and Bristol - Mr Olubowale, MB ChB, MSc (Sheffield), FRCSI, FRCSI (Gen Surg) GMC Number 6044974
in Leeds - Mr Kenneth Kok MBChB MRCS MSc(Hons) FRCS(plast) GMC: 4701147
in Birmingham - Mr Mobinulla Syed MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCS (Plast) GMC: 6035480
in London - Mr Adel Fattah, FRCS (Plast.) GMC: 4764599
in Manchester - Ms Lyndsey Highton, BM BCh (Oxon) MA FRCS (Plast) GMC: 6128243
in Manchester - Mr Prashant Govilkar, MBBS MS MCh FRCS FRCS (Plast) GMC: 4258041
in Buckinghamshire - Mr Philip Lim BSc (Hons), MB ChB, AFRCS (Ed), MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast) GMC: 4219068
in Leeds
To find out more please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online breast augmentation contact form to request a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.