If you are thinking about having breast implants, you should seek medical advice from a qualified surgeon who has experience in reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery. This may be an oncoplastic breast surgeon or a plastic surgeon.
Suitability
Not everyone is suitable for breast implant surgery. Your surgeon will need to take a detailed look at your medical history and your overall health.
You will not be able to have breast implant surgery if you:
- are under 18
- are pregnant
- have malignant (cancerous) or pre-malignant breast cancer that has not been fully treated
- have a medical condition that could increase your risk from surgery or the general anaesthetic, or increase your risk of infection
- have an infection anywhere in your body
Before a decision is made about whether you are suitable for surgery, you will need to be emotionally stable and have realistic expectations about what the breast implants will achieve. See Breast implants - Considerations for more information.
Only have breast implants once you are satisfied it is the best option for you. Take time to make an informed decision, weigh up the advantages and disadvantages and talk it through with a trusted friend, partner or family member.
It is also important that you are not pressured by someone else into having breast implants. It is your body and your decision.
Mastectomy
If you have had a mastectomy (breast removal surgery) as part of your treatment for breast cancer, you will be offered free reconstructive surgery that may include the fitting of a breast implant. See Breast implants – How they are fitted for more information.
See the Health A-Z topic about Mastectomy for more information about this surgical procedure.
Cost of surgery
Most women who have breast implants pay to have the operation done privately. The NHS rarely funds cosmetic breast implant surgery.
Currently in the UK, the average cost of having breast implants is about £4,000. However, the cost will vary depending on the treatment centre you choose.
As well as paying for the initial operation, you must also be prepared for the cost of having further surgery if necessary – for example, if an implant has to be replaced or removed.
To qualify for breast implants on the NHS, you would need to show that the appearance of your breasts is causing you significant psychological distress. Significant distress may be caused by:
- complete failure of development of breast tissue
- severe asymmetry (significantly uneven breasts)
The availability of NHS-funded breast implants may also depend on your local primary care trust and the amount of funding they allocate for breast implant surgery. Your GP will be able to advise you about availability in your area.
