What You Need to Know About Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery
Thousands of women around the world looking to enhance their appearance and self-esteem opt for breast augmentation every year, which makes it the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure.
In 2018, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported a six percent increase in breast enlargement procedures over a 12-month spell.
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants and Breast Lifts
If you’re thinking about having breast enhancement surgery, you may be wondering whether there’s a difference between breast augmentation/enlargement and breast implants, and whether breast lifts fall into either of these categories.
The terms breast augmentation and breast implants are used interchangeably. Augmentation (or enlargement) describes the end result, while implants are the devices plastic surgeons use to achieve it.
Breast implant augmentation has been performed since the 1960s and typically uses saline or silicone implants to improve volume, size and shape.
Another, less common form of breast augmentation cosmetic surgery is fat transfer, which achieves a relatively small increase in breast size. It entails a liposuction procedure that takes fat from other areas of the body and injects it into the breasts.
No implants are used for breast lifts. The procedure involves manipulating tissue to tighten and lift the breast to counter sagging.
Pros and Cons of Saline and Silicone Breast Implants
Saline implants are shells containing sterile salt water. Silicone implants hold silicone gel within a silicone casing. Saline and silicone are both found naturally in the body. Both types of implants come in different sizes with either textured or smooth shells.
Silicone implants are more common in the UK, and many women report that silicone implants feel more natural.
Advantages of silicone breast implants include:
- Made with medical-grade silicone tested for safety and used in other surgical procedures such as prosthetic implants.
- Firm or soft gel options.
- Silicone remains inert in your body, avoiding problems of reaction or rejection.
- Approved by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).
A potential disadvantage of silicone breast implants is that a ruptured implant can be difficult to detect and the substance stays in the body, possibly travelling beyond the breast.
Advantages of saline breast implants include:
- May require a smaller incision – saline implant casing is always filled after it’s placed, while silicone implants can be filled either beforehand or during the procedure.
- Any leakage can typically be detected sooner than silicone implant breakdowns.
- Less risk in the event of leakage – the saline would pass through your body or be safely absorbed.
- Slightly firmer feel.
- Volume can be adjusted during the procedure.
A disadvantage of saline implants is that they may feel and look less natural than silicone implants.
Breast Implants Combined with a Breast Lift
A rising trend is to combine breast implants with breast lift surgery, particularly among women who’ve had children.
Significant changes the body undergoes during and after pregnancy often include loss of volume and shape. While breast enlargement improves fullness and can increase cup size, a breast lift makes breasts firmer and more buoyant.
A breast lift also solves the problem of severely drooping breasts, which breast enlargement on its own can’t fix.
Breast lifting is often performed at the same time as augmentation but in some cases may require a separate operation.
Benefits of Breast Enhancement
The results of breast enlargement depend on many factors, including:
- Whether you choose silicone or saline implants.
- Shape and size of the implants.
- Your overall body shape.
The outcome of breast augmentation and breast lifts is generally perkier, fuller breasts that are more symmetrical and attractive.
Most women say their clothes and particularly their bras fit better after breast enhancement. A study by the University of Florida found that breast augmentation cosmetic surgery boosted patients’ self-regard and reinforced their feelings about their sexuality.
Typical, specific benefits of breast enhancement include:
- More projection and greater fullness of the breasts.
- Better balance of hip and breast contours.
- Long-term solution – breast implants last from 7 to 12 years on average.
Where Can I Go for Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery?

Breast enlargement implants are only available on the NHS in exceptional circumstances, so you’ll need to find a private cosmetic surgery breast augmentation clinic.
The good news is that there are plenty of breast implant surgeons to choose from, both here in the UK and abroad.
Top breast enhancement clinics and be found in many major cities in England, including:
Further afield, there are highly-rated breast augmentation clinics in many countries, including:
You will find a selection of breast augmentation surgery specialists at the end of this article.
Which Type of Breast Implants Are Right for Me?
Deciding on which type of breast augmentation is right for you calls for careful consideration and advice from a skilled plastic surgeon.
A breast augmentation cosmetic surgeon can help you decide between silicone and saline implants, taking into account factors such as.
- Your current breast shape and size.
- Your age.
- Condition of your breast tissue.
- Your medical history.

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