What we can improve.
During your consultation, we assess your chest width, breast base, skin quality and the amount of tissue that will cover the implant. We also look at the position of the areolas and any existing differences between the two sides. These measurements help us choose a proportionate implant and explain the changes we can achieve.
Photographs of results you like can help us understand your preferences. We then relate these to your starting point: small, firm breasts need a different approach from breasts that have lost volume and have excess skin.
Options and scars.
Implants can change both breast volume and shape. Their width, projection and position matter as much as their size. Whether an implant sits above or partly beneath the muscle depends on your tissue coverage and the result we are aiming for. The incision is usually placed in the crease beneath the breast; other approaches are considered when they offer a specific advantage.
For a modest increase, your own fat may be an option, either alone or alongside implants to soften the contours. This requires a suitable donor area, and some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed. If your breasts are drooping, an implant alone may not be enough: in that case, we will discuss a breast lift to raise and reshape them.
What recovery involves.
The first few days
In the first few days, it is common to feel pressure and tightness, and for your breasts to sit higher and feel firmer than you expected. We will explain your medication and advise you to take things gently, while walking and making light movements. After the first wound check, many patients can manage simple tasks, although you will need help with carrying bags, shopping or lifting children.
Returning to your routine
Allow around one to two weeks before returning to a desk job, depending on how you feel. We will avoid lifting and strenuous activity for the first two to three weeks; intense exercise usually needs to wait around four to six weeks, following a review. You will wear a postoperative bra for at least the first month, according to the instructions we give you.
How the result develops
The shape softens as swelling settles and the tissues adapt. Your result continues to settle over the following months. At follow-up appointments, we check the wounds, implant position and changes in sensation, and explain when to start scar care.
Safety and possible risks.
Safety starts with choosing an implant and volume that suit your tissues and reviewing your medical history. Tightness, bruising and early changes in sensation can be part of recovery. A sudden increase in the size of one breast, worsening pain or a fever should prompt you to contact the team so we can assess what is happening.
The complications we watch for include bleeding, infection and tightening of the capsule around the implant, which may change its shape or cause discomfort. Rupture or displacement can also occur over time. Implants need ongoing follow-up: before you decide, we will discuss their characteristics, the uncommon risks associated with them—including a rare type of lymphoma of the capsule, linked mainly to textured implants—and any changes you should report. Understanding this helps you make an informed choice and keep up with appropriate checks.
What we will discuss.
- The shape and volume you would like to achieve.
- Which incision and implant position suit your case.
- When you need to return to work and what help you will have at home.
- How to arrange long-term implant checks.
Frequently asked questions.
My friend has 300 cc implants and I like her result. Do I need the same size?
Not necessarily. The same implant can look very different depending on chest width, existing breast tissue and skin elasticity. During your consultation, we take measurements and consider the volume in relation to your anatomy and preferences; cubic centimetres alone do not describe the result.
Do implants need replacing every ten years?
There is no automatic replacement date that applies to every patient. Equally, implants are not lifetime devices. Follow-up checks, the condition of the implant and changes in your breasts guide us on when to keep, replace or remove them.
Will I be able to breastfeed?
Many women can, but this cannot be guaranteed. Your previous ability to breastfeed and the surgical technique both play a part. If you would like to have children, tell me so we can include this in our planning.
Keep exploring.
Questions from consultation.
Revisión inicial del contenido: Dr. Luis Martín Suárez · 2026-09-13
Timeframes are a guide. The technique, suitability and aftercare are agreed during consultation according to your case and progress.