As this season’s Love Island comes to an end, it’s interesting to note that the popular reality TV programme has a profound impact on viewers, with one in ten women who watch the programme claiming that it has left them considering undergoing a breast augmentation.

Carried out by YouGov, the survey found that almost half of all female viewers, aged between 18 to 34, felt self-conscious about their looks after watching the programme. This led to eight per cent considering breast enhancement surgery, 11% of them planning anti-wrinkle treatments and lip fillers and seven per cent contemplating liposuction.

A number of the girls that appeared on the show have undergone breast augmentation procedures which they freely admitted and that, coupled with the cosmetic surgery adverts that were shown in the ad breaks, have sparked fears that cosmetic surgery has become ‘normalised’. Breast augmentation is very popular, and it can produce fantastic, life-enhancing results, but it’s also a serious surgical procedure and it’s essential that prospective patients are fully informed about all the pros and cons before they decide to go ahead. Here’s everything you need to know about breast augmentation.

The consultation process: making the decision to go ahead with a breast augmentation

The consultation is an essential part of the process, as it gives you the opportunity to become fully informed about the procedures and that means being aware of all potential risks as well as the possible results. Your consultation is also the chance to meet your plastic surgeon and ensure that you fully trust them and are confident in their ability to look after you.

Important decisions are made in terms of implant type, shape and size and where the implant will be located in relation to the muscle. The location of the incision will also be discussed.

Am I the ideal candidate for a breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a relatively straightforward cosmetic surgery procedure and if you are in good health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved then you should be suitable.

There are certain considerations that might mean your plastic surgeon advises you to consider another procedure or delay surgery at this time. If you have undergone pregnancy or weight fluctuations, for example, you may have a degree of ptosis or sagging in the breast tissues that may become more pronounced after augmentation. In this instance, a mastopexy or breast uplift may be advised, with or without implants. On the other hand, if you’re planning a pregnancy in the imminent future then it might be advisable to delay surgery until after that point.

Understanding breast augmentation risks

This is essential as any surgical procedure entails some risks and there are also possible complications specific to the breast augmentation procedure. Typically, a breast augmentation is performed under a general anaesthetic and there are anaesthesia risks to take into account. Post-surgery there are risks of bleeding or haematoma as the wound heals and any surgical incision that is made will result in some degree of scarring.

Breast augmentation complications include implant rupture, changes to nipple or breast sensation, capsular contracture and the likely possibility that you will require revision surgery at some point in the future.

All these potential risks will be discussed in full at the consultation before you make the decision to go ahead. If you have any more questions or would like to organise a breast augmentation consultation at Mr Horlock’s Southampton plastic surgery practice, call us on 023 8076 49 69.