Breast Augmentation Options in Singapore
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also called breast enhancement, is a cosmetic procedure employed to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. By 2024, over a million breast augmentation procedures are expected to be carried out – a testament to its popularity. Breast augmentation or “boob jobs” can have a significant impact on a woman’s self-confidence, potentially improving their relationship with their body. Learn about your options today.
Benefits of Breast Enhancement
1. Personal Empowerment and Versatility
2. Customised Aesthetic Enhancement
3. Restoration of Volume and Youthful Appearance
4. Psychological and Emotional Well-Being
Types of Breast Implants
In Singapore, there are several different types of breast implants available, each offering unique characteristics and benefits. The most common types are saline and silicone implants, but other options like fat grafting and hybrid breast augmentation are also gaining popularity.
Saline Implants
Filled with sterile salt water, these implants offer adjustability in size and a natural feel. They are inserted empty and filled once in place.
Mentor Saline Breast Implants
- Available in a variety of sizes and profiles to fit different body types and aesthetic preferences.
- Feature a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saltwater (saline), which is safely absorbed by the body in case of implant rupture.
- Allow for adjustable implant size during surgery, as saline is added after the empty shell is placed.
- Known for their firm feel and are a preferred choice for patients seeking a more controllable implant size.
Structured Saline Implants
Silicone Breast Implants
Composed of a silicone gel, these implants mimic the feel of natural breast tissue and are known for their durability and natural appearance.
Motiva Implants
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Silicone breast implants are known for their natural feel and safety features.
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They are designed with a unique, cohesive silicone gel that maintains form and minimises risks of implant leak.
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Motiva implants are recognised for their variety of shapes and sizes, catering to individual preferences and body types.
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They often feature technologies like RFID tagging for easy identification and tracking.
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Known for their smooth surface, these implants are designed to reduce the risk of complications like capsular contracture.
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Their ergonomic design adapts to the natural movement of the breast, enhancing comfort and aesthetic outcomes.
Mentor Silicone Breast Implants
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Composed of a cohesive silicone gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue, offering a more natural look and feel compared to saline implants.
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Available in a wide range of shapes (round and anatomical/teardrop) and textures (smooth and textured) to cater to individual aesthetic goals.
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The silicone gel inside these implants is designed to remain intact even in the event of a shell rupture, minimising the risk of silicone leakage.
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Silicone implants from Mentor are known for their durability and the low incidence of capsular contracture.
Gummy Bear Implants
Round Implants
Smooth Implants
Textured Implants
Teardrop Implants
Nano-Textured Implants
Nano-textured implants utilise extremely fine surface modifications to enhance tissue integration and stability, potentially reducing the risk of complications and improving the longevity of the implant.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting involves liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and injecting it into your breasts. This is a less invasive option and is suitable for those looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and a more natural result.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation
Hybrid breast augmentation combines implants with fat grafting. This method allows for the enhanced shape and size from the implant, while the fat grafting provides a feel that some patients find more comparable to natural breast tissue.
Whatever your aesthetic goals may be, Nuffield Plastic Surgery is committed to being with you every step of the way. Book an appointment with us now!
Choice of Breast Implant Incisions
1. Inframammary Incision
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Location: This incision is made in the fold under the breast, known as the infra-mammary fold.
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Benefits:
- Ideal for placing larger implants.
- The incision is concealed under the natural breast fold, making the scar less visible.
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Considerations:
- Recommended for those who prefer larger implants and value discreet scarring.
2. Periareolar Incision
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Location: This incision is made around the perimeter of the areola.
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Benefits:
- It blends well with the transition line between the areola and the breast skin.
- Offers high precision for implant placement, which is beneficial for achieving symmetry.
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Considerations:
- Suitable for patients who prioritise accurate implant placement and are comfortable with a scar around the areola.
3. Trans-axillary Incision
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Location: Made in the armpit area.
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Benefits:
- Leaves no scars on the breasts themselves.
- Often preferred by those undergoing breast augmentation for the first time.
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Considerations:
- A good option for individuals who want to avoid breast scars and are comfortable with the incision being in the armpit.
Each incision type has its own advantages and suitability depending on the patient’s goals, body type, and the specific characteristics of the implants chosen. It’s important to discuss these options with a qualified surgeon to determine the best approach for your individual needs and desired outcomes.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Procedure
Embarking on a breast enhancement journey involves several key stages, each crucial for ensuring the best possible outcome. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Before the Procedure: Preparation and Consultation
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Mental and Physical Preparation: This is a time for personal reflection and readiness. It's important to be mentally prepared for the changes and understand the implications of the surgery. Physically, you may be advised to follow specific health guidelines, such as maintaining a stable weight or quitting smoking.
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Discussion of Goals and Expectations: Have a candid conversation with your surgeon about your desired outcomes, aesthetic preferences, and any concerns. This helps in tailoring the procedure to your specific needs.
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Thorough Medical Assessment: Undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. This may include medical history, physical exams, and possibly breast imaging tests.
During the Procedure: The Surgical Process
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Administering Anaesthesia: To ensure comfort and painlessness during the procedure, anaesthesia is administered. This could be general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the complexity of the surgery and your surgeon's recommendation.
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Implant Placement: The surgeon makes incisions (in one of several locations based on your agreed-upon plan) and places the breast implants. The placement can be either above or below the chest muscle.
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Additional Steps if Applicable: In some cases, procedures like fat grafting (transferring fat from another part of your body to your breasts) or hybrid augmentation (combining implants with fat grafting) might be performed for more natural-looking results.
After the Procedure: Recovery and Follow-up
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Post-operative Care: Follow your surgeon's instructions on care, which typically include how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally, and specific activity restrictions.
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Symptom Management: Be prepared to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe pain management and advise on how to reduce swelling.
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Regular Follow-up Appointments: Attend scheduled follow-up visits to monitor your recovery and the results of the surgery. This is also a time to address any concerns or questions you may have.
Understanding these steps can help you navigate your breast enhancement procedure with more confidence and clarity, leading to a smoother experience and a more satisfying outcome.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
The recovery process following breast enhancement surgery is a gradual progression, allowing your body to heal and adapt to the changes. Here’s an outline of what you can typically expect in terms of recovery timeline:
1. Immediate Postoperative Period (Days 1-3):
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Rest and Recuperation: Immediately after surgery, it's crucial to rest and limit activities. You may experience soreness, swelling, and fatigue.
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Care and Monitoring: Follow your surgeon's instructions for care, including managing any drains, taking prescribed medications, and wearing a support garment like a compression bra.
2. Early Recovery Phase (Week 1-2):
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Reduced Activity Level: Continue to rest and avoid strenuous activities. Light walks can be beneficial to promote circulation.
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Symptom Reduction: Swelling and discomfort should start to decrease. You'll likely have a follow-up appointment to check on your progress.
3. Gradual Return to Activities (Weeks 2-4):
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Increased Mobility: Gradually resume more normal activities, but continue to avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise.
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Continued Healing: Your incisions will continue to heal, and you'll start to get a better sense of your new breast shape.
4. Moderate Activity Phase (Weeks 4-6):
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Resuming Exercise: You may be able to return to moderate exercise, but it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it.
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Further Healing: Swelling should substantially decrease, and scars will begin to mature.
5. Full Recovery and Return to Normal Activities (Weeks 6-12 and Beyond):
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Full Activity Resumption: By this time, most patients can return to all their normal activities, including vigorous exercise.
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Final Results Visible: The final shape and position of your breasts will become more apparent.
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Ongoing Care: Continue to monitor your breasts and attend any recommended follow-up appointments.
Remember, individual recovery experiences can vary, and it’s important to follow your surgeon’s advice and listen to your body throughout the process. This timeline is a general guide and your specific recovery may differ.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Enhancement
Who is a Good Fit?
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Health Status: Must be in overall good health.
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Breast Development: Breasts should be fully developed.
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Dissatisfaction with Current Breast Size/Shape: Seeking a change in their appearance.
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Realistic Expectations: Understands what breast enhancement can and cannot achieve.
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Not Pregnant or Breastfeeding: Currently not undergoing these physiological states.
Choosing the Right Implant and Size
When selecting the appropriate breast implant and size, several factors need to be considered to achieve the desired aesthetic result:
Implant Volume and Cup Size Correlation:
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Direct Influence: The volume of the implant has a direct impact on the increase in breast cup size. A larger implant volume typically results in a more significant increase in cup size.
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Individual Variation: The change in cup size also depends on your original breast size and body frame. For instance, the same implant may result in a different cup size increase in two people due to differences in their chest width and original breast tissue volume.
Implant Sizes:
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Small (100 cc to 300 cc): Suitable for a subtle enhancement. Ideal for those seeking a natural increase in size without a dramatic change.
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Most Common (300 cc to 400 cc): Offers a noticeable yet proportionate augmentation. This range is often chosen for a balanced enhancement that complements the body's natural contours.
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Large (450 cc and upwards): Leads to a significant increase in breast size. These larger implants are typically chosen by those desiring a more pronounced and voluminous outcome.
Cup Size Impact:
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Consultation is Key: It's important to have an in-depth discussion with your plastic surgeon. They can provide a more accurate estimation of how different implant volumes might affect your breast size, considering factors like your body type, existing breast tissue, and personal goals.
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Visual Aids and Sizers: Surgeons often use visual aids, sizers, or 3D imaging during consultations to give you a better idea of how various implant sizes will look on your body.
Remember, the goal is to choose an implant size that not only achieves your desired aesthetic outcome but also harmonises with your overall body proportions. Nuffield’s doctors will be able to assess your breasts and give personalised suggestions.
Is it Better to Get Breast Implants Under the Muscle or Over?
Breast implants can be placed in two primary locations: beneath the muscle (submuscular) or above the muscle (subglandular).
Submuscular Placement (Under the Muscle):
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Advantages: This option provides a more natural contour and feel, as the muscle offers additional coverage over the implant. It's particularly beneficial for individuals with minimal natural breast tissue, as it minimises the visibility of rippling. It’s also the preferred placement for individuals with thinner skin, a characteristic more commonly observed in Asians.
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Considerations: Recovery might be slightly longer, with possible temporary muscle discomfort due to the placement beneath the muscle.
Subglandular Placement (Over the Muscle):
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Advantages: Recovery tends to be quicker and less uncomfortable, as the muscle remains undisturbed. This method is often chosen by individuals with adequate natural breast tissue who desire a more noticeable enhancement in the upper breast area.
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Considerations: There's a somewhat increased risk of implant edges or rippling being visible, especially in those with less natural breast tissue.
It’s essential to discuss these options with a plastic surgeon, considering factors like body type, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
Understanding Breast Implant Profiles
Breast implant profiles refer to the degree of forward projection off the chest wall. There are typically three profile options: low, moderate, and high.
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Low Profile Implants: These implants offer a subtle enhancement, contributing to a more balanced and natural appearance. They are best suited for those seeking a gentle increase in volume.
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Moderate Profile Implants: Providing a middle ground, these implants enhance volume while still maintaining a relatively natural look. They are ideal for individuals looking for noticeable yet balanced aesthetic improvement.
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High-Profile Implants: High-profile implants are designed for maximum projection and a fuller upper breast area. This results in a rounder and more prominent breast shape, suitable for those desiring a significant enhancement.
Each profile type caters to different aesthetic preferences and body types, making a consultation with a plastic surgeon crucial for selecting the most appropriate option.
Breast Augmentation Risks
Breast augmentation, like any surgery, carries certain risks and potential complications. Here’s a breakdown of these terms in an easy-to-understand way:
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Infection: After surgery, there's a small chance that bacteria can get into the surgical area, leading to an infection. This can cause redness, pain, and sometimes fever.
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Bleeding: There's a risk of bleeding inside the breast area during or after the surgery. This can cause swelling and pain.
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Changes in Nipple Sensation: After surgery, you might notice that your nipples feel different – either more sensitive or less sensitive. This change can be temporary or permanent.
Capsular Contracture
“Capsular contracture” refers to the tightening of scar tissue that forms a capsule-like layer around a breast implant. This contraction can cause firmness, pain, and distortion of the breast’s shape. The term encapsulates the idea and breast sensation of the scar tissue ‘contracting’ or tightening around the implant.
Grades of Capsular Contracture:
Grade
Description
Impact
Symptoms of Capsular Contracture:
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Firmness of the Breast: The most common symptom, where the breast feels harder than normal.
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Misshapen Appearance: The breast may start to look round, asymmetrical, or distorted.
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Pain and Tenderness: Especially in the more advanced stages, the breast can be painful to touch.
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Tightness or Discomfort: A feeling of tightness around the implant area.
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult with your surgeon. In some cases, surgical intervention might be necessary to correct capsular contracture. This could involve removing the scar tissue or replacing the implant.
Breast Augmentation Complications
Breast Implant Illness (BII):
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What it is: A term used to describe a variety of symptoms that some people experience after getting breast implants. These symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, and memory issues.
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It's Important to Note: BII isn't officially recognised as a medical diagnosis, and researchers are still trying to understand it better.
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL):
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What it is: A rare type of cancer that can develop around breast implants. It's not breast cancer, but a form of lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system.
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Symptoms: It can cause swelling, lumps, or pain in the area of the breast implant, typically years after the surgery.
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Treatment: It often involves removing the implant and the surrounding tissue, and sometimes additional treatments are needed.
It’s important to discuss these risks thoroughly with your surgeon to make an informed decision about breast augmentation. Remember, while these risks exist, they are relatively rare. Your surgeon can provide more detailed information and help you weigh the benefits and risks.
If I'm Not Completely Satisfied With the Results, Can I Get a Breast Augmentation Revision?
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Sagging Breast Tissue (Breast Ptosis): The natural breast tissue may sag over the implant, affecting the overall appearance.
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Shifts in Implant Shape or Position: Implants moving upwards or to the side can alter the breast's symmetry and shape.
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Implant Rupture: Though rare with modern implants, ruptures can occur and require correction.
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Capsular Contracture: This is the hardening of tissue around the implant, leading to discomfort and changes in appearance.
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Uneven Appearance: Development of asymmetry or irregularities in the breasts' look.
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Bottoming Out': When implants drop below the natural breast line, altering the breast profile.
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Severe Animation Deformity: This occurs when the implant moves unnaturally with chest muscle contractions.
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Desire for Size Change: Adjusting the size of the implant to align with current aesthetic preferences.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Cost in Singapore
In Singapore, the price of breast augmentation can vary considerably, influenced by factors such as the complexity of the breast enlargement procedure, the type of implants selected, the surgeon’s level of expertise, and the clinic’s location. The costs associated with different breast augmentation techniques reflect these variables.
Type of Breast Augmentation
Estimated Costs
Are Subsidies for Breast Augmentation Available?
In Singapore, breast augmentation procedures are generally not covered by governmental healthcare schemes like the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) or MediSave. These schemes focus on essential healthcare needs and do not extend to cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation. Individuals seeking this procedure typically need to finance it privately. Our team at Nuffield is happy to explore your breast augmentation financing options with you.
Dr Andrew Cheah
Dr. Andrew Cheah, a Board Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon accredited by the Ministry of Health, has an educational background from the University of Leicester and further qualifications from Singapore’s National University and the Royal College of Surgeons. His practice, deeply rooted in his extensive international training and diverse certifications, includes specialised surgical procedures like breast augmentation, alongside facial and body contouring surgeries.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Malay, Dr. Cheah is well-equipped to communicate effectively with a multicultural clientele. Book an appointment with him now!
Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Andrew Cheah
Book your consultation today
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants The Same?
No. Breast implants is a type of breast augmentation.
Are Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants The Same?
How Do Breast Implants Feel?
The sensation of breast implants can vary based on type and placement. Saline implants tend to feel softer, while silicone implants more closely resemble natural breast tissue. Size and shape also affect the feel. Consultation with a plastic surgeon can help explore suitable options.
Is Breast Augmentation Painful?
Pain levels after breast augmentation vary. Some describe it as similar to post-exercise soreness, while others experience sharper pain. Most find the discomfort manageable, and various pain relief options are available during recovery.
Which Breast Implant is Safest?
Silicone gel implants are widely considered safe due to their low leakage risk and natural feel. Saline implants, less prone to rupture, may deflate if compromised. Discussing personal preferences with a plastic surgeon is recommended for a suitable choice.
Can Others Tell If I've Gotten Breast Implants?
Breast implants can achieve a natural appearance when skillfully placed. The key is selecting the appropriate size and shape, and your plastic surgeon can help you with that.
Do Breast Augmentations Last Forever?
No, breast augmentations are not permanent and may require future revisions. While most implants come with lifetime warranties, their actual lifespan can range from 10 to 20 years, but this duration can vary significantly depending on the type of implant, its placement, and individual circumstances of the patient. Changes in personal situations or preferences might lead to the earlier replacement or removal of implants. Therefore, it is crucial to have regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor the integrity and condition of the implants over time, ensuring proper implant maintenance.
What Should I Avoid After Breast Augmentation?
Post-operation, avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and certain sleeping positions that can stress the chest area. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s specific instructions on activity levels and bra use for proper healing and implant positioning.
When Can I Sleep on my Side After Breast Augmentation?
After breast augmentation, most surgeons recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks before sleeping on your side. This allows time for proper healing and helps prevent displacement of the implants. Do note that individual recommendations can vary based on the specifics of your surgery.
Can I Exercise After Breast Augmentation?
Can I Get Breast Augmentation Without Implants?
What's the Minimum Age to Undergo Breast Augmentation?
How Do Breast Implants Change Over Time?
Is Breastfeeding Possible with Breast Implants?
Will Pregnancy Affect My Breast Implants?
Can Breast Creams and Massages Help to Enhance Bust Size?
Is There a Breast Cancer Risk with Implants?
What are the Consequences of Not Replacing Breast Implants?
When Should I Start Massaging My Breast Implants?
Is Breast Augmentation Worth It?
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Your satisfaction is our priority
We prioritise your well-being above all else. Our empathetic team provides comprehensive pre- and post-operative care, guiding you through every stage of your transformation.