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  • Breast Auto Augmentation is able to improve the shape of your breasts without an implant
  • We can increase the fullness of the upper breast with no added weight of an implant
  • Performed by expert breast surgeons who specialise in the advanced technique
  • 0% Finance Available

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Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last Reviewed November 16th 2023

Breast Auto-Augmentation

A breast auto-augmentation is a great way lift the breast and also restore fullness into the upper breast with no implant.

When it comes to implant removal, one of the biggest reasons that leaves patients feeling concerned is how their breasts are going to look after the implants have been taken out.

When you remove your breast implants, it can cause your breasts to lack fullness and appear sagged. When the upper pole of the breast is lacking in volume, it can cause breasts to look sunken and saggy.

Mr Adrian Richards consults for this procedure at our clinics in Buckinghamshire, Northampton and London Harley Street and Mr Dario Rochira in London Harley Street.

What is a breast auto-augmentation (breast uplift and implant removal)?

A breast auto-augmentation or a breast augmentation-mastopexy or breast lift with auto-augmentation, is a specialised plastic surgery procedure that uses your own natural breast tissue to reshape and enhance the shape of your breasts.

The procedure only uses your natural breast tissue and it has a big advantage over implants in that it will only increase volume in the upper pole, no volume or weight will be added to the lower pole of the breasts. It may be difficult to replicate the same size with implants, but it will be a close match.

Who can have a breast auto-augmentation operation?

Ideal candidates for a Breast Auto-Augmentation procedure are patients who are looking to have their implants removed but do not want sagging breasts post procedure.

It is common for upper pole fullness to decrease following a breast implant removal as the implant was often the reason for the fullness. The shape and appearance of the bust can change for patients who have had large implants or implants for a long period of time. The skin of the breasts can appear stretched and sagged.

Breast Auto Augmentation, Breast Lift without Implant at a glance

Procedure Time
1 – 2 hours

Anaesthetic Type
General Anaesthetic

Hospital Stay
Day case

Washing
1 week

Driving
1 week

Up & Mobile
1 day

Sexual Activity
4 – 6 weeks

Back to work
1 week

Exercise
6 weeks

Travel
6 weeks

Full Recovery Time
6 weeks

Final Results
6 – 12 months

Support Garments
Surgical Bra to be worn for 6 weeks

Sleeping
Sleeping elevated on back for 2 weeks

What are the benefits of an Auto-Augmentation?

  • Improving the shape of your breasts without an implant
  • Increasing the fullness of the upper breast with no implant
  • Correcting sagging of the breast
  • Lifting the breasts into a more youthful position
  • No added weight of an implant
  • A natural implant is achieved

What is the difference between Breast Auto Augmentation and Breast Uplift?

The breast auto-augmentation procedure is similar to a breast uplift however this procedure is instead a reconstruction of the breast for patients who are having their implants removed. A breast uplift tends to focus on relocating the nipple to give the appearance of fuller breasts and the breast tissue is often untouched. An auto-augmentation procedure instead uses the patient’s existing breast tissue or glands and relocates them to the upper portion of the breast.

Who is the best plastic surgeon for breast auto-augmentation (breast uplift and implant removal)?

Breast Auto-augmentation is a specialist plastic surgery procedure which should only be performed by expert breast surgeons. Very few plastic surgeons carry out this specialist type of procedure so be sure to ask to see previous examples of their work when you visit for a Breast Auto-Augmentation consultation

We offer Breast Auto augmentation consultations at our London Harley Street or Northampton clinics.

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Breast Auto Augmentation Before & After Photos

Our expert surgeons offer leading breast surgery procedures.
Take a look at our Auto Breast Augmentation before and after photos to see how we have helped change our patients’ lives.



What to Expect

The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of women placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert breast surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.

The Consultation

Your Breast Auto Augmentation procedure journey will start with a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons who specialise in this procedure.

At your consultation you will be able to find out more about the specialist procedure and if you are suitable.

Your surgeon will also:

  • Review your medical history
  • Examine your breasts to assess your suitability for auto augmentation surgery
  • Discuss your expectations from surgery
  • Detail the risks and complications of breast auto augmentation surgery
  • Go through the aftercare and recovery process

You will then be allocated a dedicated patient coordinator who will be your point of contact should you wish to go ahead with the procedure.

Consultation Image 1

Pre-Operative Appointment

In the interests of patient safety, all our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria.

Following your breast auto augmentation consultation your medical history will be reviewed and the pre-operative nurse will choose which pre-operative tests to carry out which are going to be most appropriate to you.

Most breast auto augmentation pre-operative assessments include a blood test, MRSA swabs, urine test and a blood pressure test.

They will also advise you of any precautions you need to take in the days or weeks leading up to your breast implant removal or replacement procedure and advise on any medication that you should stop taking before the procedure.

Consultation Image 1

The Procedure

A breast auto aumentation procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and a T-shaped, anchor shaped or lollipop shaped incision will be created on the lower portion of the breast to help ensure longer lasting results.

  • Firstly the breast implant will be removed from the breast.
  • The outer layer of excess skin (the epidermis) is then removed.
  • At this stage an uplift procedure would remove and discard any excess breast tissue however an auto augmentation instead works to reshape the tissue to fill the upper portion of the breast.
  • The surgeon will select the breast tissue or glands in the lower breast and rotate it up into a new position in the upper pole of the breast. The tissue is not surgically cut to preserve the blood supply.
  • Once in its new position, the tissue is then secured to the chest wall and upper breast tissue.
  • Your surgeon will then relocate your nipple and areola higher up on your breast to give that uplifted appearance
  • Any excess skin is removed before the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures.
breast auto augmentation lift natural enhancement
Consultation Image 1

Aftercare

The results from a Breast Auto-Augmentation are instant however your breasts will need to go through a recovery period which may include some swelling. The best results can be seen from 6 weeks post-op but it can take 6-12 months for you to fully heal.

Following your procedure, you may need to stay overnight in the hospital but this will be decided by your surgeon ahead of your procedure. We recommend that patients take 1-2 weeks off work and avoid any intense exercise or strenuous physical activity in the first 3 to 4 weeks following surgery.

Swelling and localised discomfort will subside within a few weeks, but you will need to wear a support bra, with no under-wire, for at least 6 weeks.

Consultation Image 1

Watch our Breast Auto-Augmentation Information Videos

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FAQs

What is an auto-augmentation?
An auto-augmentation is a breast uplift technique for patients who are choosing to remove their implants. The procedure not only works to lift the breast but reshapes it to give the appearance of a natural implant. Breast auto-augmentation are most commonly performed on patients who are choosing to remove their implants but wish to maintain upper fullness in their breasts. The procedure is performed in a similar way to standard breast uplift with the nipple and areola lift but instead the patients natural breast tissue is also moved to a higher position to reshape the breast giving it both a natural lift and upper fullness which only an implant was previously able to create. To find out more about our auto-augmentation procedure, use our online contact form to book a consultation with our surgeons. Please note that breast auto-augmentations are only currently available with Mr Adrian Richards and Mr Dario Rochira.
What is the difference between a breast augmentation and a breast auto-augmentation?

A breast augmentation is a breast enlargement procedure. This surgical procedure uses breast implants to enhance the shape of the breasts. A breast auto-augmentation is a variation of a breast uplift procedure that instead uses the patient’s own natural breast tissue to increase volume in the upper portion of the breast without the need for an implant, effectively a natural breast enlargement. A breast auto-augmentation is not designed to increase the size of the breast, just to enhance the shape and is most commonly performed on patients after a breast implant removal procedure. The advantage is that following surgery your breast size should be similar in size or slightly smaller than if you still had the implant in place.

To find out more about the breast auto-augmentation procedure book a consultation with one our expert surgeons.

What can a breast auto-augmentation achieve?

A breast auto-augmentation is designed to enhance the shape of your breasts by reshaping the breast using your own natural breast tissue. The procedure can help to maintain fullness in the upper portion of the breasts following a breast implant removal.

A breast auto-augmentation can;

  • Lift the breasts
  • Correct sagging
  • Improve the overall shape of the breasts
  • Increase fullness in the upper portion of the breast
  • Recreate the appearance of an implant

To find out more about the breast auto-augmentation procedure book a consultation with one our expert surgeons.

What can a breast auto-augmentation not achieve?

A breast auto-augmentation is unable to dramatically increase the size of your breasts like a breast implant would as the surgeon is only using your own breast tissue.

In this instance, if a bigger size of breast is requested then you will instead be offered a removal and replacement procedure where implants of a bigger size can replace your current ones.

An auto augmentation is a great option for patients who wish to maintain the majority of the volume of their chest after their implant has been removed. Although we are unable to guarantee that your breast size will stay the same as it was with the implant, you can be sure that you will achieve breasts that still have volume and are uplifted.

To find out more about breast auto-augmentation procedures visit us for a consultation with one of our expert surgeons.

Am I suitable for a breast auto-augmentation?

An auto-augmentation is best performed on patients who are having their breast implants removed. It is a great procedure for women who wish to maintain a certain fullness to the chest after their implants have been removed. You should ideally have a good amount of natural breast tissue, good quality skin that stretches well and realistic expectations of what can be achieved with auto-augmentation surgery.

To find out if you are suitable for a breast auto-augmentation procedure we recommend visiting us for a consultation where our expert breast surgeons will be able to assess you and recommend the best treatment option to suit you.

What are the risks of a breast auto augmentation procedure?

All surgical procedures carry the potential for risks and complications to occur. Your surgeon will go through these with you at your consultation and make sure you are aware and leave feeling well informed about the breast auto-augmentation surgical procedure.

Risks and complications will include; blood clots, risk of anaesthesia, nausea, vomiting, post-operative pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, seroma, tissue or skin necrosis, change in breast sensation, breast asymmetry, undesirable scarring and recurrence of breast droop.

At The Private Clinic, we have a 24-hour patient helpline meaning you will be in expert hands at all time. You are also entitled to as many free post-op appointments as required.

How long does a breast auto-augmentation take?

A breast auto-augmentation generally takes 2 to 4 hours in surgery to complete. This will however all depend on your surgeon and the process of your individual procedure. The procedure will be performed under general anaesthetic and may require an overnight stay at hospital. If staying overnight, you will be taken back to your room to rest and checked on regularly for 24 hours before being discharged by your surgeon. If you are not staying overnight you will still be given time to rest in one of our rooms following surgery and will be checked over by the nursing team.

What aftercare is involved following a breast auto-augmentation?

Following breast auto-augmentation surgery you may experience some pain, tightness and discomfort around the treatment area. This should only last a few days and we advise patients to take painkillers such as paracetamol to help relive any discomfort as required. It is important that you take care to look after your incisions by keeping the area clean and dry. Healing wounds may feel itchy but try to avoid scratching the area. You will be required to wear a post-operative surgery bra for several weeks following the surgery. We also advise that patients sleep with their head and torsos elevated on several pillows.

When can I return to work after a breast auto-augmentation?

We usually advise patients to take at least 1-2 weeks off work after a breast auto-augmentation. This will however depend on the type of job role that you do. If you have a job role that requires you being on your feet a lot then it would be best take a full 2 weeks, if you have an office job however you should be fine to take a week off work as long as you take it easy once you return. It is very important that you do not lift anything heavy for the first week.

Information and advice on when you can return to exercise will be provided by your surgeon.

When can I exercise after a breast auto-augmentation?

We recommend that patients should avoid taking part in any strenuous physical activity until their 6 week follow up appointment. This is because vigorous movements can increase swelling which will slow down your recovery. If you previously exercised regularly then we advise that after 2 weeks you should be okay to resume light cardio activity such as walking on a treadmill. It is important that you avoid lifting your arms above your head for at least the first week of your procedure and not to carry any heavy objects for 6 weeks.

Can I breastfeed after a breast auto-augmentation?

A breast auto-augmentation procedure may affect your ability to breastfeed in the future. During the procedure both the breast tissue and nipples are moved which does carry a risk of damaging the tissue and glands that produce breast milk. Our surgeons are experts in what they do and will do everything they can to help preserve the ability to breast feed in the future by preserving the blood and nerve supply to your nipples and breast tissue which increases the chances of being able to breastfeed in the future.

If you are planning on breastfeeding after your procedure you should discuss this with your surgeon in a consultation.

It is always best to have breast surgery after completing your family as some surgical procedures do carry a risk of being unable to breastfeed. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch your skin and in some cases, reverse the results of your surgery.

Will weight change affect the results of breast auto-augmentation surgery?

As no implants are used in a breast auto-augmentation procedure, the volume of your breasts after a breast auto-augmentation will tend to change in size naturally along with your own natural weight loss or gain. Overall, small changes in weight should not make a huge difference to your final results.

Breast Implant Safety and Risks

For information on Breast Implant Safety and risk please see;

https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/breast-implant-safety

What does a free breast auto augmentation consultation mean?

We can offer a free breast auto augmentation phone or video consultation with one of our knowledgeable patient coordinators who will be able to provide information on the procedure and recommend the best breast auto augmentation surgeon to suit your requirements.

To secure your timed phone or video appointment we do require a £25 refundable deposit which will be refunded once the consultation takes place. You will be able to change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Book your free phone or video consultation here.

What is the difference between an uplift and a breast auto-augmentation?

A breast uplift involves removing excess skin and relocating the areola to a higher position on the breast. A breast auto augmentation however is more of a breast reconstruction. The patient’s own natural breast tissue is reshaped and relocated to the upper portion of their breast.

An auto augmentation is most commonly performed on patients who are having breast implants removed.

To find out more about which procedure is most suitable for you book a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

Can I have a breast auto-augmentation if I don’t have implants?

A breast auto-augmentation can be performed on patients who do not have breast implants however it is more commonly performed on patients who are having their implants removed.

This is because the auto augmentation procedure relies on the breast pocket which is created by the breast implant, the breast pocket gives the surgeon the ability to reconstruct the breast and separate out the breast tissue to relocate portions to the upper portion of the breast. If you have not had a breast implant, you will not have a breast pocket.

A breast pocket can however be created but this does take extreme skill and should only be performed by a specialist breast surgeon. If you have not had an implant but are seeking an implant then a breast uplift is likely to give you the appearance that you are hoping to achieve.

To discuss your breast surgery options in more detail we advise that you book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons who will be able to offer their advice on the best procedure for you.

When will I see the final results of a breast auto-augmentation?

Most patients will notice a change in their breasts immediately following their breast auto-augmentation procedure. Shortly after surgery you are likely to experience swelling which usually takes a couple of weeks to initially settle but can take a few months for it to completely settle. At 6 weeks you will start to be able to see how your final results are going to look but full recovery can take 6-12 months.

Your expert surgeon will provide you with aftercare advice following breast auto-augmentation surgery. It is very important that you follow this advice to ensure that you get the best results and reduce your risk of developing any complications.

How much does Breast Auto-Augmentation following breast implant removal cost?

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and performs over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest patients satisfaction in the sector, TrustPilot 9.4, 5-star rating and 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. We are a multi award winning provider and have been voted the Aesthetic award for Best UK Clinic Group 2017.

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly results. We are above all committed to quality. Please feel free to contact us for any advice or to book a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

The cost of a Breast Auto Augmentation can be part of your decision to undergo the procedure but it should not be the deciding factor. For more information about The Private Clinic, our experience and medical expertise click here.

The cost of a Breast Auto Augmentation is approximately £13,850. All prices are quoted on a case-by-case basis and you will be provided with a more accurate quote following your consultation.

Our Breast Auto Augmentation procedure is a highly specialised technique that is only performed by experienced breast surgeons. A Breast Auto Augmentation is a breast reconstruction procedure that uses the body’s own natural tissue to replicate the fullness of a breast implant. It is a great option for patients who wish to remove their implants but maintain the fullness of the breast. No additional volume or weight will be added to the breasts and instead, patients can expect to achieve a lifted breast with improved shape and position.

This procedure is not the same as a standard breast uplift procedure which only changes the nipple position and tightens the skin. The patient’s own breast tissue is instead reshaped and relocated into the upper portion of the breast.

Choosing Breast Auto Augmentation with The Private Clinic means;

  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon and nursing team as required.
  • Access to a 24-hour patient helpline for any questions or concerns.
  • Highly experienced Breast Surgeons who have decades of experience.
  • Outstanding hospital facilities.
  • A promise that our experience and medical expertise will make your journey a reassuring one.

To find out more or to book a consultation click here.

Consultations with our breast surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street.

Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

Do you have a breast auto augmentation clinic near me?

Breast Auto Augmentation is a specialist procedure and you should seek out a qualified and experienced breast surgeon to discuss this technique with.

Surgeons who offer Breast Auto Augmentation at The Private Clinic are located in;

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

Breast AUTO-Augmentation is Available in these Clinics

Things to Consider

Our advice on what to consider when deciding to have a breast auto-augmentation procedure:

1. When choosing a clinic, you should always do your research, and only go to an established, reputable clinic.

The Private Clinic has been in the cosmetic surgery industry for over 40 years. We are here to answer all of your questions and give you peace of mind.

2. When choosing a surgeon, make sure you know who you’ll be seeing. Their expertise, qualifications and patient satisfaction rate are important factors to take into consideration.

At The Private Clinic, we only source the most experienced and specialised surgeons. Find out more about our plastic surgeons here.

3. Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing where to have your treatment. Safety should be your number one priority and feeling confident that they will look after you – not only before, but also after your procedure

4. When it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Always find out what your clinic’s reputation is.

Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape.

Why Choose The Private Clinic

  • The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of women placing their trust in us each year.
  • Top UK specialised best breast surgeons with decades of experience who specalise in Breast Auto Augmentation procedures.
  • Dedicated care with your expert breast surgeon and nursing team, and a 24 hour help line.
  • We have state of the art hospital facilities.
  • Peace of mind with our personal three-year aftercare breast cover.
  • All breast surgery options are discussed so you can ensure you are recieving the most suitable care that is best for you.
  • 5 Star Trustpilot Rating
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Meet our Surgeons

Our expert Breast Auto-Augmentation Surgeons consult from London, Buckinghamshire, and Northampton.

Refundable consultations are also available with our knowledgeable patient coordinators at all clinics. These consultations are great if you would like to get more information about the procedure before committing to a clinical consultation with a surgeon.