Breast augmentation with implants - for more female self-esteem
Breast augmentation with silicone implants has been one of the most popular aesthetic plastic surgery procedures for women for decades. The reasons for breast augmentation are very varied and individual.
On the one hand, there is the desire for normal-sized and beautifully shaped breasts that harmonise with the rest of the body, but the desire for a beautiful décolleté can also be a simple reason. Breast augmentation is also a suitable option for effectively enhancing the shape of sagging breasts as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding or weight loss, possibly through a combined breast lift.
Furthermore, no body is symmetrical, including the female breast. In cases of severe asymmetry, this can be corrected with breast augmentation. The use of autologous fat is a good alternative to implants. Regardless of which method you choose, we always focus on a natural-looking result with an increase in your self-esteem.
Brief overview:
Duration of treatment:
1-2 hours
Anaesthesia:
General anaesthesia
Follow-up treatment:
Wearing a special bra and chest strap
Load restrictions:
1-2 weeks; no heavy work or sporting activities for up to 6 weeks
Associated terms:
Breast augmentation, breast surgery with silicone implants, breast enlargement
Alternative to implants: breast augmentation with autologous fat
Associated terms:
Breast augmentation with autologous fat, breast autologous fat augmentation with lipo (=fat) (BEAULI) procedure lipoaugmentation, breast lipomodelling, lipostructure
Breast augmentation with autologous fat is a new option in which fat cells are harvested more gently using vibration-assisted liposuction, collected in a sterile collection container and then transplanted using small syringes.
This method of breast augmentation is particularly suitable for patients who do not want silicone gel implants or who have experienced capsular fibrosis after silicone implants. Breast reconstruction after tumour surgery is also possible in this way.
Which surgical techniques are used for breast augmentation?
The implants can be placed either under the mammary gland (subglandular) or under the large breast muscle (submuscular). In very slim patients who naturally have less soft tissue coverage over the implant, the implant may show. In order to conceal this permanently, an additional Treatment with autologous fat. The prerequisite for this would be a sufficient fat deposit in another part of the body from which the autologous fat can be harvested.
There are two access options for this breast operation: the incision of around 4-5 cm can be made at the lower edge of the nipple (periareolar) or in the breast fold below the breast (inframammary).
Questions and answers about breast augmentation
The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and takes 1-2 hours depending on the technique and findings. The position and fit of the implants, particularly with regard to symmetry, is checked by placing the upper body in a supported position.
After the operation, you will of course be given an implant passport with all the necessary information about the operation and the implant.
Only quality implants from Polytech (Germany) are used in our practice. We offer these in round and anatomical shapes and with different textures.
The implant manufacturer gives a lifetime guarantee on its implants and has developed the Implants of Excellence programme especially for patients with Polytech implants, as an additional basis for trust.
We use the innovative Keller Funnel insertion aid for the safe insertion of breast implants and have been certified for this.
If you are thinking about breast augmentation, you will very quickly ask yourself which silicone implant is the right one - round or anatomical and what texture should the implant have? Your own wishes and ideas will certainly play a role here. In addition, your individual physique already determines the choice of implant. After all, anatomical implants do not necessarily have to look more natural. Depending on the individual shape of your breast, round implants may also be more suitable for you.
To give you a feel for how your new breast size will look and feel, we have a special bra in our practice in which you can "try out" different sizes. Of course, you don't have to decide this at your consultation appointment, but only later when you come to us for a second appointment to discuss the operation. Our experience has shown that it always makes sense to have a few extra nights and days to think things over.
The wound drains inserted during the operation can usually be removed after 1-2 days and the suture material after 2 weeks.
To support the breast shape during the healing phase, we recommend wearing a compression bra day and night for a period of 6 weeks. It is also necessary to wear a chest strap for at least 14 days to prevent the implants from slipping or twisting. You should also not sleep on your stomach for the first two weeks.
In general, you will be largely symptom-free again after just a few days and, depending on the activity, will be able to work after 1-2 weeks. If there are no complications, you should only resume sports training, lifting loads and overhead work after approx. 6 weeks.
The final result is usually seen after 3-6 months. Restrictions such as breast cancer diagnosis, breastfeeding, flying or sporting activities, e.g. diving, are not to be expected.
To help the scars heal, you can treat them with a moisturising cream. Also protect them from direct sunlight to avoid hyperpigmentation.
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that usually results in a permanent change in breast size and shape. Although the implants we use are guaranteed for life, this does not mean that they will necessarily remain in your body for the rest of your life. We therefore recommend that you have the implants checked by us after ten years at the latest so that we can decide together whether it makes sense to change the implants.
In addition, the breasts can continue to change over time due to ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal fluctuations or weight changes despite surgery, which can lead to sagging of the breast tissue and therefore also of the implants. Here too, an implant change in combination with a breast lift can be useful.
The pain can vary depending on the individual's sensitivity to pain and the type of technique used, but is usually very bearable and subsides quickly in the first few days after the operation. To alleviate the discomfort, we will provide you with painkillers and medication to take home to make you as comfortable as possible, minimise the risk of infection and promote rapid healing. The pain usually subsides after a week, but it can take several weeks or months for the swelling and bruising to disappear completely. The scars fade over time but remain permanently visible.
Even if breast augmentations are carried out in a qualified and frequent manner, in addition to general complications, special consequences can also occur, which you should be informed about in advance.
One of these is so-called capsular fibrosis or capsular contracture. When an implant is inserted, the body forms a delicate connective tissue envelope around the implant. This effect is initially desired and is also referred to as the implant being incorporated by the body and growing in, so to speak. Unfortunately, in rare cases, for reasons that are not yet clearly understood, hardening and shrinkage of this envelope can occur, which is then referred to as a "capsule". This can lead to deformation of the implant, even after many years, which can disturb the aesthetic sensation and cause pain. In these cases, the breast implant and capsule should be removed. A new implant can then be inserted (implant exchange) or an alternative method of breast reconstruction (e.g. with autologous fat) can be used. The risk of capsular fibrosis can be minimised by a slightly rough surface of the implant, insertion of the implant under the muscle and extensive protection of the tissue during the operation.
Another important aspect is the possibility of displacement of the breast implant (implant dislocation). Consistently wearing a customised bra with a breast strap after the operation helps to reduce the risk of this.
Unfortunately, the costs of breast augmentation are only covered by health insurance in rare exceptional cases (e.g. as a reconstructive measure after cancer). Several specialist reports are usually required to prove the medical necessity of the procedure.
As with many other plastic surgery operations, the cost of a burst augmentation depends very much on your individual findings and can vary depending on the choice of implant. The costs depend on the local findings and the extent of the operation. The calculation is based on the GoÄ (scale of fees for doctors) and are as follows between 5500 and 8000 euros. We can therefore only give you a binding cost estimate during a personal consultation.
In a personal and individual consultation, we will be happy to analyse your wishes and expectations regarding breast size and shape and discuss in detail the realistic results to be expected, conceivable risks and possible complications in order to design a treatment concept that is right for you.
Do you have any questions or would you like to make an appointment?