Breast implant surgery results can vary and depend on your circumstances. For example, the appearance of your breasts after the operation may be affected by:
- your age
- your overall health
- your ability to heal
- your existing breasts
- the position of your nipples
- your skin texture
Following surgery, most women are pleased with the appearance of their breasts. Having realistic expectations and making a considered and informed decision will help ensure you are happy with the results of your operation.
Look and feel
After having breast implant surgery, you may be worried that your breast implants look unnatural. This is normal and to begin with your breasts are likely to feel quite taut or rigid.
You may also experience changes in the way your breasts feel, with different areas becoming more or less sensitive than they used to be. In most cases, any changes in sensation will be temporary, although they can occasionally be permanent.
Your breasts will usually start to look and feel more natural within a few months of having breast implant surgery, as the breast tissue, muscle and skin stretches to accommodate the implants.
Breastfeeding
Having breast implants will not stop you breastfeeding. However, you may produce slightly less breast milk than you would without implants. Your baby will not experience any side effects if you have implants and breastfeed.
Flying
You may have heard that flying with breast implants is dangerous. However, this is not true and the risk of an implant rupturing (splitting) is not increased because the implant will not be placed under any additional strain.
Breast cancer
Having breast implants will not increase your risk of developing breast cancer and there is strong scientific evidence to support this. However, it is still important for women who are over 50 to attend breast screening appointments when invited.
Every three years, the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme invites all women who are 50 to 70 years old and registered with a GP to attend a breast screening appointment. The age range is currently being extended to women who are 47 to 73 years old. Invitation letters are sent out to GP surgeries.
It is important to be aware that breast cancer screening is part of a national routine screening programme and is not aimed at women who already have symptoms.
Visit your GP if you notice anything unusual about your breasts, such as a lump. The majority of breast lumps (90% of cases) are benign (non-cancerous), but it is still important that you have a breast lump investigated as soon as possible. Do not wait to be invited for a routine breast screening appointment. See the Health A-Z topic about Breast cancer – Symptoms for more information.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme website provides further information about the programme and what to expect when attending an appointment.
Breast implants can affect breast screening, so tell the radiographer if you have implants (a radiographer is a health professional trained in taking X-rays) so they can ensure that the best possible images are taken.
If you have breast implants and you develop breast cancer, your chances of making a full recovery will not be affected.
