Breast augmentation and breast-lift

The bust is examined carefully and extensively at the plastic surgeon’s clinic and you discuss your wishes with the expert. An ultrasound and mammography are also performed. 

Breast augmentation can either be performed using silicone implants or using transplantation of the body’s own fat. One prerequisite for fat transplantation is that there is sufficient fat available. Breast implants or the patient’s own fat reinstate the former fullness the patient’s breasts or, when necessary, provide additional volume to those with a small bust. Droopy bust correction, or a breast-lift, is a form of breast augmentation to correct the shape of flaccid or droopy breasts.

You can find more information about the different methods below!

The most common surgery for breast augmentation is performed using silicone implants. Implants are used in order to increase the size of the breasts, regain the shape of differently sized breasts and for the purposes of reconstruction following breast cancer surgery. At Eira Hospital, we use the very best quality silicone implants.

Pain-free and safe surgery

Normally, breast augmentation is conducted on an out-patient basis and the patient can return home the same day. If you want, you can stay the night in Eira Hospital’s in-patient unit.

At first, the scars are red, but they become lighter gradually over 6–12 months after the surgery.

Breast implants and breastfeeding

Breast implants do not have an impact on breastfeeding.

After surgery

The recovery following the surgery is usually quick and those who have physically undemanding work can return to work after one week. In the first week, it is a good idea to avoid heavy lifting, driving a car or other activities that can strain the pectoral muscle. Heavy physical training must be avoided for one month.

The incision is located underneath the breast, just at the edge of the new implant, which leaves a really unnoticeable scar. At first, the scars appear red, but they become paler with time and will have faded within 6–12 months. The stitches dissolve themselves and you do not need to make an appointment to have them removed.

The price of the surgery includes the sports bra that functions as a support bandage in the first month, 24 hours per day.

The final assessment of the shape of the breast can be undertaken six months after the surgery.

Breast augmentation can also be performed using the body’s own fat, in which case we are talking about a fat transplant. The WAL (water-assisted liposuction) method of liposuction is used to safely and carefully remove fat from places where it is undesirable, usually the thighs, and use this as a filler in the breasts.

Fat transplant is most suitable for patients who want full breasts and who have troublesome collections of fat somewhere else in the body – a perfect transplant. In the best case, a breast enlargement of 0.5–1 cup size is achieved through fat transplantation.

It is a good idea to consider fat transplantation when:

• you want to enlarge your breast in a natural way
• your breast has lost its shape or become smaller following pregnancy and breastfeeding
• your breasts are different sizes
• you want to get rid of your silicone implants; the implants are removed in conjunction with the treatment
• your own bust has been surgically removed because of cancer

Natural end result

When shaping the breast, the collected fat is distributed evenly on the subcutaneous fat layer and the pectoral muscle. The end result is even and soft over the entire breast and any unnatural edges or shapes are avoided.

Depending on the size of the breast, about 200–300 millilitres of fat are added; this amount is smaller for smaller breasts. The treatment can be performed under local anaesthetic, for larger breast augmentations, a general anaesthetic is beneficial.

After surgery

Usually, the patient can return home the same day. Minor pain can arise a few days after the surgery, which you can treat with pain medication. It is good to exercise as soon as possible, but heavy training is to be avoided in the initial weeks.
Some form of support accessory is used in the area from which the fat has been removed in the following 2–3 weeks. A bra may not be worn for three weeks.

The end-result can be assessed after about six weeks, once the swelling has diminished. The result is permanent as the transplanted fat becomes part of the breast’s own fat layer and functions in accordance with the patients weight gain or loss. Usually, two procedures are required for a breast augmentation with fat transplantation.
 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can easily change the shape of the breasts if the breast tissue is elastic. The breasts become droopy and flaccid. If your breasts have drooped markedly, silicone implants are not sufficient to reinstate their shape; then you can undergo a both a breast-lift and breast augmentation.

After surgery

The recovery following the surgery is usually quick and those who have physically undemanding work can return to work after one week. In the first week, it is a good idea to avoid heavy lifting, driving a car or other activities that can strain the pectoral muscle. Heavy physical training must be avoided for one month.

The stitches dissolve themselves and you do not need to make an appointment to have them removed.
The price of the surgery includes the sports bra that functions as a support bandage in the first month, 24 hours per day.