By plastic surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer. 

Cosmetic surgery is now more accessible than ever before, and despite detailed information relating to every procedure being freely available there are still a lot of myths and common questions that prevail. Many of these are often raised by a patient during their initial consultation, so I thought I’d spend a little time addressing a few of them.

Breast implants and breastfeeding

Most women who undergo breast augmentation can breastfeed their children with no problem whatsoever - it just depends on the type of procedure that your plastic surgeon has performed.

In a typical breast augmentation surgery, the incision is made in the inframammary fold, which is underneath the breast, and the implant is then placed behind the pectoral muscle, which is located below the breast tissue and away from the breast itself. This results in all mammary ducts remaining in tact and still connected to the nipple.

In less common cases, the incision is made in the armpit or around the areola, usually for aesthetic purposes as the scar is less visible. This incision may affect sensation to the nipple and interfere with milk supply. Some ducts may also be severed, but you won’t know the full extent with this type of breast augmentation until you try to breastfeed. Sometimes the implant is placed over the pectoral muscle, which may interfere with the mammary ducts - although this is rare.

If you’re not sure which type of breast augmentation procedure you had, I would advise that you contact your plastic surgeon to confirm it.

Cosmetic surgery is cheating

I believe it’s important to recognise that cosmetic surgery isn’t a substitute for a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. You still need each for a healthy mind and body. Instead, cosmetic surgery should be viewed as an option to enhance something that cannot be done with diet and exercise alone. There are a wide range of cosmetic procedures available that can enhance a person’s unique beauty and provide a boost to their self-confidence.

As an example, many people undergo a tummy tuck following pregnancy as the extra loose skin that often forms can only be removed surgically. With liposuction, patients choose to undergo the procedure so that they can target specific problem areas that do no respond so well to diet and exercise.

Spotting someone who has had cosmetic surgery

Some people do indeed seek an artificially enhanced appearance, but most people want natural looking enhancements. An experienced and skilled plastic surgeon will aim to leave little trace of the surgery, which should mean that the results will not be obvious that you have undergone a cosmetic procedure.

Botox is as effective as a facelift

While Botox is a highly popular non-surgical procedure that is great for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, it will have no effect on sagging skin. For this, you will need to seek out a facelift procedure, such as my signature TBT facelift that I offer here at Harley St Aesthetics.

The risks involved with cosmetic surgery

Unfortunately, there is a degree of risk to any type of cosmetic surgery. That cannot be ignored. Potential complications such as infection or scarring do need to be considered beforehand, and you can go through this in relation to your cosmetic procedure of choice in much more detail during your consultation. Much of the risk can be mitigated by being sensible and doing your due diligence when choosing a plastic surgeon. Make sure they are reputable, experienced in the procedure you’re interested in, highly skilled and board-certified. Also see my blog posts on cosmetic surgery and alcohol, the risks of smoking and plastic surgery and the risks of vaping and cosmetic surgery.

If you’d like to discuss any of the cosmetic procedures that I offer in more detail, then don’t hesitate to contact me so that we can book in your initial consultation. Call the office today on 0845 519 7232, e-mail info@harleystreetaesthetics.com or send your details through on the online contact form.