Before & After

This 41 year-old tall lady had undergone breast augmentation a number of years previously but had found that her implants had become markedly firm and were becoming uncomfortable. This process, known as capsular contracture, is a relatively uncommon but known consequence after breast augmentation. There are decisions that can be made at the time of implant selection that affect the chance of this occurring or not. Removal of the implants and their associated scar capsules and replacement with 400cc extra-high projection short-height anatomically-shaped (teardrop-shaped) high-friction coated implants aimed to give a natural appearing fuller breast outcome whilst minimising the chances of subsequent implant malposition or rotation. No further alterations have been required following the surgery and this benefit should be long lasting.

This 58 year-old lady, who would not have considered herself a candidate for cosmetic surgery, sought functional improvement because of her large breasts and pendulous abdominal pannus. Breast reduction surgery was undertaken after full abdominoplasty surgery. Both operations resulted in the functional improvement she desired and enhanced her physical well-being and her sense of proportion in certain clothing.

This 45 year-old lady disliked her loss of breast volume after pregnancy and wished to regain similar fullness that she had previously had. The use of 265cc high-projection anatomically-shaped (teardrop-shaped) implants gave her a natural breast appearance unclothed and provided her with the overall body contour that she wished for. She did experience an unusual degree of nipple prominence for some months after surgery but as with many nerve-related issues, this settled gradually without further intervention being required.

This 56 year-old lady disliked both her abdominal contour and loss of breast volume and shape. Following her abdominoplasty surgery, she underwent one-stage mastopexy-augmentation with modest 265cc medium-projection short-height anatomically-shaped implants. Specifically she did not wish to have particularly large breasts and the choice of implant volume and projection reflected that. This has given her breasts that are more befitting of her frame and are much less bra-dependent. Darker scars in darker skins is very common and whilst post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be modified by the use of certain creams and tapes, it is often unavoidable to a degree when undergoing elective surgery with darker skin.

This 47 year-old lady sought breast volume enhancement following her previous abdominoplasty surgery (see elsewhere in this photo series). The use of 295cc high-projection anatomically-shaped implants combined with a circumareolar “doughnut” reduction mastopexy provided a natural appearing result in such an age group and restored the body confidence that was desired.

This 33 year-old school teacher consulted me regarding her loss of breast volume following completing her family. She wished to regain her breast volume but specifically sought a natural breast appearance. The use of 335cc anatomically-shaped (teardrop-shaped) high projection implants in a subfascial (above the pectoral muscle) plane gave her this volume and met the patient’s expectations. Not evident from these photographs was a development of an unusual rash after surgery which required a much greater degree of post-operative input than would normally be needed. Consultation with my consultant dermatology colleague directed the use of specific topical treatments; it was eventually concluded that an allergy to one of the material components of her surgical bra was most likely the cause. As with many such allergy-related issues, this entirely resolved and has had no long-term impact on her outcome.

This 70 year-old lady had undergone breast augmentation over 15 years previously and they had since become hard and uncomfortable. At this stage in life she was keen to have her implants removed and extensive discussion was undertaken as to what breast volume and shape could be created without any further implants. A one-stage approach of implant & scar capsule removal and breast refashioning (reconstructive mastopexy) was undertaken and whilst the final breast shape is not particularly defined, life without implants in her 70s is now more reassuring and much more practical for her.

This young 27 year-old lady consulted me regarding her droopy asymmetrical breasts. She also disliked the large diameter areola pigmentation that was present. Multiple discussions were had regarding the various options; a synchronous differential approach was chosen, with a pure uplift on one side and a minor breast reduction (with associated uplift) on the other side. This resulted in much improved symmetry and overall more harmonious proportions to her breast and areola diameters. Careful scar management resulted in no problematic adverse scar healing which known to be a higher risk in darker skins.

This 62 year-old lady had spent many years encumbered by her heavy ungainly large breasts and sought correction of this. After discussion of the various surgical options, she underwent traditional Wise-pattern breast reduction along with additional liposuction of the lateral chest wall on each side. This resulted in a much improved breast contour with breasts that are much less heavy and less ungainly but which are still feminine. These are relatively early photographs that show early scar healing only a few months after surgery; such scars will fade gradually as the months go by.

This 39 year-old lady consulted me regarding a desire to increase her breast fullness. She had enjoyed her breast volume during pregnancy and wish to regain this. She had come to me because she was good friends with one of my former breast augmentation patients and requested exactly the same implants. Having explained that this was not how I typically made breast implant selections, it turned out that exactly the same 350cc high projection implants were appropriate for her and she was delighted with the eventual result from her surgery.