Breast enlargement
Breast implants

Breast augmentation at the Wellness Kliniek

Breast enlargements: inserting breast implants is so popular because it has helped so many women. Breast enlargement is one of the plastic surgical operations that improves a woman's self-image and therefore has a very positive psychological effect.

General anesthetic or intravenous sedation?

A breast enlargement is performed under intravenous sedation. 

Due to progress made in sedation techniques, invasive cosmetic procedures can now be performed without the patient being subjected to the side-effects of a general anaesthetic. With more effective pain relief a light form of anaesthesia is sufficient. Unlike traditional anaesthesia a tube will not be inserted via your throat to mechanically control your breathing.

During the operation you breathe and swallow independently while asleep and yet you don’t feel pain.

Intravenous sedation makes surgery safer. A few hours after the procedure you feel fine and have been spared the side effects and complications of general anesthesia.

Breast augmentation: choice of implants

The choice of prosthesis determines the surgical technique which is used. Your personal preference and your body build also play a role in determining the operation technique. At the Wellness Kliniek we only use the highest quality implants. The quality, the volume and the shape of the implant all determine the final result.

At the intake consultation you will decide with the surgeon which volume and shape provide you with the best results.

If you would like to get used to your future cup size you can use an external cup sizer, a bag filled with water, that you temporarily wear in your bra.

There are 3 types of implants:

• 1. Silicon Firm Gel breast implants with silicon shell: available in different shapes,
• 2. Salt-water (saline-solution) filled breast implants with silicon shell,
• 3. Hydrogel breast implants with silicon shell.

1. The fixed silicon gel-filled prosthesis

Modern firm silicon implants, of a high quality, with a rough surface, are very resistant to leakage and capsular contracture.

Previously breast implants were inserted through a large incision (up to 7 cm!) in the fold under the breast via an incision in the armpit or in the skin around the areola. These scars fade in time, but a thin white line will always be visible.

Using a more modern operation technique these implants can now also be inserted with a special injection system, through a small incision of about 3 cm in the areola. A scar in the pigmented skin of the areola provides the best long term result.

The big advantage of a small incision in the areola is that the operation is barely visible a few months later!

Silicon implants can be placed above or under the muscle. Usually a combined pocket, between the breast muscle and the gland tissue, provides the best result. This method is also called the DUAL PLANE method. The surgeon will determine the best course of action at the intake consultation.

Silicon filled prostheses give the breast a beautiful shape and feel soft and flexible.

At the Wellness Kliniek we only use high quality brands: Monobloc Silicon, Sebbin Silicon and McGhan Silicon. The shape of the implant, high-, medium-, and low profile, round, anatomic or tear drop-shaped can best be determined in consultation with the surgeon.

2. The salt water implant

It is possible to insert inflatable implants through a small incision (1-2 cm) that are then filled with a special saline solution (physiological serum). This serum is completely harmless and is passed out of the body in case of any leakage. The implants can be inserted in front of or behind the breast muscle.

Breast enlargement with salt water filled implants:

• 1. A fine surgical instrument is inserted in the navel through a small incision
• 2. The prosthesis is rolled up.
• 3. The implant is introduced via the navel and filled.
• 4. The incision is stitched leaving the scar hidden in the navel.

Salt water filled implants are not as supple as hydrogel or silicone implants and don't feel as soft. 

3. The hydrogel implant

The hydrogel breast implant consists of a silicon shell filled with carboxymethylcellulose 3,7% and physiological serum 96,3%. The hydrogel prosthesis allows the breast to be x-rayed just like the salt-water prosthesis. If the prosthesis should leak, the body will naturally secrete the harmless fluid. With hydrogel implants there is a higher risk of leakage because the prosthesis is likely to absorb some body moisture. If you choose hydrogel prostheses, the Monobloc Hydrogel implant is the most suitable.

Breast augmentation using implants - prostheses
Aftercare and Recovery

It takes a few days for the implant to settle. Soon after the operation you may experience some muscle pain in your chest and back and the breasts can feel taut.

Sometimes you are advised to wear a chest bandage or a special bra for 3-10 days.

When you go for your check-up the stitches or staples are removed. This is very simple and can be done by your doctor if you prefer.

In general the recovery period is short. You are advised to rest at home for about a week after the operation, and to take it easy for a few weeks afterwards. Three weeks after your operation you can resume all your normal activities as well as active sporting activities.

If the doctor has prescribed you special vitamins to accelerate your recovery, please don't forget to take them.

Following your breast augmentaion procedure you will be given the medical number of the Wellness Kliniek. Don't hesitate to contact us.

Our doctors continue to be there to support you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! 

Breast augmentation using implants - prostheses
Risks and Complications

The most common risks and complications from breast augmentation surgery are rejection of the implants, capsular contracture, sensitivity disorder, skin discolouration, assymetry, bad scar formation, pain and allergic reactions to the anaesthetic. Despite the fact that everything is sterile, infection is still possible. The risk of infection is small, actually less than 1%.  Sometimes the wound does not heal properly or ther is recurring haemorrhage.
 

Usually the above-mentioned complications can be corrected  by one or more further procedures.

Read more about the risks of plastic surgery.

Breast augmentation with implants
Guarantee

European manufacturers of breast implants give a 10 year guarantee on: silicone, hydrogel and salt water filled prostheses. The guarantee includes 2 free replacement prostheses from the manufacturer in case of leakage. In addition the Wellness Kliniek guarantees a free replacement operation for Monobloc Silicone SoftOne breast implants inserted by us and during the same time limit.

Complications such as rejection of the implant or capsular contracture are not covered by the guarantee. We will perform a second free operation if problems arise in the first year following the procedure. The patient pays the net cost of the replacement implants.
 

Breast augmentation with implants
Frequently asked questions

Can I choose my future bra size?

You explain to the surgeon what size you would like your breasts to be.

At the intake consultation you tell the surgeon what you want. The surgeon then calculates:

• the volume
• the shape
• the projection

The plastic surgeon determines the shape of the implant and calculates the volume. Not just the shape and volume are important but the profile (projection) of the implant all determine the end result.

Silicone prostheses are available in:

• round: low profile
• round: high pofile
• round: extra high profile
• anatomical
• tear-drop shaped

Do anatomical or tear-drop shaped implants give a more natural end result?

Anatomical and tear-drop shaped implants are sometimes desirable if you just need 1 breast implant. The disadvantage of tear-drop shaped and anatomical implants is that their centre of gravity is low which means that the breasts could become saggy over time.

Our extensive experience has shown that the best shape can be achieved with round implants.

You don't see the round shape under the skin or breast tissue and it ensures the most natural base.

Dependng on your preference you can choose from a low, high or extra high projection.   

Are silicone implants really safe?

It has never been scientifically proven that silicone breast implants cause breast cancer, rheumatism or immunity disorders.

It is true that the prostheses used to be filled with a liquid silicone gel. If there is a tear in the implant's shell then the gel could leak out and spread into the body.

Fortunately this was in the past!

Modern silicone implants have a strong silicone wall and are filled with a firm silicone mass. If there is a tear in the wall the solid gel doesn't leak into the body.

Is it true that the implants sometimes have to be removed?

In some cases, the body forms a hard capsule around the implant: The breasts become hard and are painful. Usually the surgeon can remove the capsule under intravenous sedation. Unfortunately the implants are sometimes damaged and have to be replaced. Implants with a rough surface have less risk of capsular contracture. The body can also reject the implants.
Rejection and capsular contracture is rare. Normally everything goes smoothly and you will most likely enjoy your implants for many years to come.

How long can the implants stay in place?

Many women have had their original implants for more than 20 years. If you consider that the quality of present day implants has significantly improved, you can assume that the majority of patients benefit from their procedure for many years, even for the rest of their lives. Prostheses with a weaker shell are not used, not even if the patient insists on a cheaper alternative.

Are yearly check-ups necessary?

No. High quality breast prostheses carry less risk of complications. As a result, unless otherwised specified by the surgeon, a routine yearly check-up is unnecessary.

If you are going to have a mammography, don’t forget to mention that you have breast implants.

Can I still breastfeed after a breast enlargement?

Yes. After a breast enlargement you are still capable of breastfeeding.