For over 50 years, the insertion of silicone breast implants has been the most common cosmetic surgical procedure in the world.
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There are many reasons to want larger breasts. You may feel they are too small or don't have the shape you want, or you may want to replace lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
This page contains information for those of you considering breast augmentation with silicone implants. Although we have tried to make it as comprehensive as possible, we recommend a conversation with our highly experienced and skilled plastic surgeons for the best insight into what is right for you and your breasts. Such a consultation is non-binding, and can be booked by either calling us on 51 55 85 00 or by filling out the form book a consultation on this page.
Silicone has been used as a prosthetic material since the early 1960s. Silicone provides soft prostheses and is almost always preferable to, for example, saline. While prostheses were previously made with liquid silicone, today only prostheses are made with silicone that is completely dimensionally stable (so-called cohesive gel). This means that silicone will never “leak” into the body from the prostheses.
Large international studies over a long period of time have clearly shown that modern silicone implants generally do not pose any health risks. Breast augmentation with silicone implants can therefore be considered a safe procedure.
All healthy women can basically get breast implants. The minimum age for plastic surgery in Norway is 18 years, and we always start with a consultation where the doctor and patient together consider the case.
There are certain conditions that mean that someone cannot or should not have implants inserted. This applies, for example, to known bleeding disorders, blood clotting tendencies, serious mental illness and allergies to anesthetics. If you have had a serious eating disorder, you must provide a statement from the treating psychologist or doctor who approves the operation. Breastfeeding must have ended at least 3 months before the operation. It is recommended that women over 40 years of age have a mammogram before surgery. To ensure rapid healing and reduce risk, smokers should reduce nicotine use to an absolute minimum in the last 14 days before surgery. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, this must be clarified with our surgeon well in advance of the operation.
Breast implants come in different sizes and shapes. When it comes to shape, there are two main types: anatomical or round .
Most people choose round implants. Anatomical implants have a teardrop shape with extra fullness at the bottom to mimic the shape of natural breasts. Which shape is best for you depends on your desired enhancement and the shape and size of your breasts.
In general, one can say that there is not a big difference between round and anatomical implants, but those who want more fullness up top (more "push" in the "cleavage") often choose round implants, while anatomical implants are a good choice if you want the most natural shape possible or need extra fullness in the breasts below nipple level (e.g. slightly sagging or "tubular" breasts).
To find the right prosthesis size, you need to look at the different dimensions of a prosthesis. While it is the plastic surgeon who largely determines the height and width of the prosthesis depending on the size of your chest and breasts, you can largely help choose the size yourself by determining the projection , that is, how much the prosthesis should protrude from the chest.
Prostheses can therefore be divided into different groups depending on the size or how much projection the prostheses have. In general, it can be said that those with the least projection (moderate or moderate plus profiles) are intended for a natural look for those who either have very small breasts or for those who have lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you want extra large or protruding breasts, it will be appropriate to choose prostheses with a larger projection.
The size of the prostheses is naturally something that many people are very concerned about. Prosthetic size is stated in milliliters (ml or cc) or in grams (which is almost the same). Which size is right for you depends mainly on how big your breasts are and the shape and size of your breasts. Those with looser breasts with a lot of “extra” skin may need larger prostheses or a simultaneous breast lift. The most common sizes are between 200 and 400 ml. A rule of thumb is that for an average slim woman, 250 ml corresponds to an increase of about one cup size (for example, from B to C).
It is important to us that you are satisfied with your choice of prosthesis and that your wishes are largely taken into account. However, there are certain limitations that mean that you cannot enter just any size for everyone. In principle, it would be natural to assume a prosthesis that provides so-called "proportional" breast enlargement. This means that your new breasts should at least to some extent match the rest of your body.
Not only can it be technically impossible to have very large implants inserted, they can also cause problems in the form of sagging breasts, stretch marks, uneven skin and pain in the breasts/shoulders/back. During the consultation, we at the clinic have various trial implants that can be inserted into the bra as inserts. This can give you an indication of which size is best for you.
There are a number of different prostheses on the market. As with all other products, both price and quality vary here. At Stavanger Plastic Surgery, we have two brands – both high-quality prostheses with good scientific documentation. Mentor is the first brand and considered to be of the very best quality with good scientific documentation to be very safe over many, many years. For example, Mentor is approved by the American FDA, which has the strictest rules for product approval - not all prostheses are FDA approved and it may be important to check this before you decide which type of prosthesis you want inserted into your body. Mentor prostheses are handmade and undergo a wide range of quality tests for maximum safety. They are also followed by the market's best warranty scheme, including a lifetime warranty against product defects and a 10-year warranty against capsule formation. The prostheses also have a patented rough surface that is intended to reduce the chance of folding in the skin and capsular contractions. They naturally come in a wide range of sizes and shapes to ensure that there is a model that is the best fit for you. The other brand we can offer is Motiva which we have had since the fall of 2016. Motiva prostheses have become quite popular in a short time due to a special type of silicone gel that feels very soft and natural. Motiva also comes with good warranty schemes and even has a built-in sensor that allows the surgeon to find out what kind of prosthesis you have even afterwards using a scanner.
An important decision that you and your surgeon must agree on is where the prosthesis should be placed. It should either be placed above or below the large chest muscle (pectoralis major). Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. An important difference between the two methods is how the breast looks at the upper edge, the “neckline” – that is, the part of the breast that is above the bra. If the prosthesis is placed over the muscle and you are very thin, there will be a much greater chance that the edge of the prosthesis will “show”, that is, it may be a little too visible that you have had surgery. If you are slim and looking for a natural result with the least possible visible transition to the edge of the prosthesis, it will then be best to place the prosthesis under the muscle. If you have somewhat fuller coverage with breast tissue, it will often be sufficient to place the prosthesis over the muscle. This is also done if you want there to be a visible and full edge here (so-called “Hollywood cleavage”).
Another thing worth noting is that placing the prosthesis over the muscle is a much "gentle" procedure with less discomfort in the first few days after the operation. However, a prosthesis under the muscle provides somewhat better protection in relation to any hard capsule formation and also less chance of visible folds/unevenness, while another disadvantage with prostheses under the muscle is an uneven contour at the very bottom of the chest if you tend to have too much sagging in your breasts. Should the latter happen, it may be appropriate to do a small after-lift and this will then be considered a separate procedure. When placing the prostheses under the muscle, a small part of the pectoral muscle will be loosened in connection with the procedure. This will not initially be noticeable normally, but can be noticeable in certain sports where you are dependent on great strength.
You will receive full guidance on which method and prosthesis type is best suited for you during your conversation with our plastic surgeon, who has extensive experience and special expertise in this area.
In connection with breast augmentation, it has been common to place the scar in one of the following three places: under the breast, around the nipple or in the armpit. Going in around the nipple requires a relatively large nipple and has been shown to be somewhat more likely to cause infection. Access via the armpit often causes problems with the correct placement of the prosthesis and a significantly greater risk of less attractive scars. With us, the scar is therefore almost always placed under the breast. It is about 4-5cm long and tends to be very barely visible where it is hidden down against the breast fold.
If the implants are placed under the pectoral muscle, you will always need anesthesia (i.e. sleep). The operation takes about 45 minutes and you will normally need 1-2 hours of rest at the clinic before you are ready to go home.
For your maximum safety and comfort, you will always be looked after by 4 healthcare professionals in the operating room and 1-2 people in the recovery room. All are specialists in their field and have extensive experience in plastic surgery. You will also be given a private room after the operation with food and drinks included.
When you leave the clinic, you should be picked up by someone you know. Due to the medications you have been given, you cannot drive yourself home. For the first 24 hours, you should have an adult with you and you should stay within a two-hour travel distance of the clinic. If necessary, we can help you arrange hotel accommodation near the clinic.
Upon departure, you will receive thorough oral and written information about the normal course of the surgery and what to do in the first few days after the surgery. It is important that you have planned well so that you have the opportunity to stay still for the first week. If you have small children, you will need help with lifting and the like for 1-2 weeks. Absence from work is usually for a week, but some people manage to go to work after a few days if you have an office-type job. Socializing usually goes well after about 1-2 weeks, while heavy physical activity such as running and weight training should be postponed until 5-6 weeks after the surgery, this is because it takes so long for the body to create a strong enough capsule around the prosthesis so that it does not move. It is therefore important to wear a supportive bra for the first 6 weeks after the surgery. It is generally recommended to wear a bra as much as possible afterwards to preserve the shape of the breast. This is especially true when you exercise. A free follow-up check-up is usually arranged.
Complications after breast augmentation are very rare. As with all operations, bleeding or infection can occur, however, it is very rare and our surgeons are available to help if this should happen. Should you receive a very hard blow to the prosthesis, such as a traffic accident, the prosthesis may be damaged. There will then be no leakage as modern prostheses do not have liquid silicone. However, a damaged prosthesis (detected on an MRI scan) must be replaced. However, this is very unusual and the prostheses are generally very durable.
Some people notice decreased or increased sensation in the skin around the scar or in the nipple. This usually resolves within a year. In very thin women, and especially those who place the implants over the pectoral muscle, something called "ripple" may occur, i.e. visible waves in the skin over the implant. This is because the capsule the body creates around the implant is smaller than the implant and thus squeezes it a little. Another known problem is so-called capsular formation. The body always forms a thin capsule around foreign bodies. This is considered an internal scar and is completely normal. As a rule, this capsule will not cause you any problems as it is thin and soft, but for a minority, this capsule can shrink and thicken, thus giving the breast both a hard implant to the touch and a worse shape. Should this happen in one breast, a new operation may be necessary if you experience discomfort with it. Capsular formation is not considered a complication, but a side effect of the procedure and does not mean that you have not tolerated the prosthesis or that any mistakes were made during the surgery.
Seroma is a spontaneous accumulation of clear tissue fluid that is probably due to tissue irritation or lymph leakage. Should this occur, you will be referred for ultrasound and ultrasound-guided aspiration with a view to examining for bacteria and cells. A condition that has been discovered in recent years is a very rare form of lymphoma (lymph cancer) known as BIA-ALCL (breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma). This is a condition particularly associated with textured prostheses (we do not have such prostheses with us!) and as of 2019 has been detected in just over 600 women worldwide (which is not so much when you know that over 30 million women have implants!). The condition also has a very good prognosis for the few who are affected. Remember not to confuse this with “regular” breast cancer, which affects about 1 in 10 women – no increased risk of “regular” breast cancer has been shown with breast implants.
Today's modern dentures are made to last a long time, with an expected lifespan before replacement of 12-15 years.
We have soft and supportive bras for sale for use after surgery.
Book a consultation today by filling out the book a consultation form on this page or call us at 51 55 85 00 .
The medical director for operations and procedures is plastic surgeon Bjørn Tore Haga.
Welcome to Stavanger Plastic Surgery.
