Amicus Clinic
What it does, and what it does not
Breast augmentation increases breast volume, using either an implant or the patient's own fat.
It does not lift. Where there is sagging, a breast lift is a separate procedure — sometimes combined with an implant, sometimes done on its own. The two are frequently assumed to be the same operation, and they are not.
It also does not fully correct asymmetry, does not prevent future change from pregnancy, weight or ageing, and does not guarantee a particular cup size.
Why it is considered
- A noticeable difference between the two sides
- Volume loss after pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Volume loss after significant weight reduction
- Differences in development, such as tuberous breast
Implant or fat
Fat grafting uses the patient's own fat, taken by liposuction from the abdomen, thighs or flanks. Around 50 to 70 per cent of transferred fat survives. It adds roughly one cup size per session and usually needs two or three sessions. It is not suitable for very thin patients, and it can produce calcifications that appear on mammograms.
An implant gives a more predictable and immediate change. It is the option where an increase of two cup sizes or more is sought.
Which suits a given patient depends on examination, on existing tissue, and on how much change is being sought.
On size
Size is discussed in cubic centimetres against chest measurements, not in cup sizes alone. As a rough guide, 150–200cc corresponds to about one cup size and 350–400cc to about two.
Choosing the right size matters more than most patients initially realise. The patients who are unhappy years later are usually those who went larger than their body could comfortably carry.
There is no rush. This is a decision worth making at your own pace.
What it involves
- Anaesthesia — general
- Duration — approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a straightforward case
- Hospital stay — most patients go home the same day, or after one night
- Incision — usually in the breast fold, which gives the best access and is well hidden
- Reviews — 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months
- Patients travelling from elsewhere — plan to stay locally five to seven days
What it costs you
Scars are permanent and fade over 12 to 18 months.
Implants are not lifetime devices. They are durable, but most patients will need at least one revision over their lifetime. Replacement happens when there is a reason, not on a fixed schedule.
Sensation can change, usually temporarily.
Mammograms are harder to read with implants in place. Patients should tell the technician.
Settling. The breasts sit high at first and settle over three to six months. The final shape is seen at the end of that period.
Who this is not for
Patients with unrealistic expectations, patients who smoke and will not stop, and anyone considering surgery mainly to please someone else.
Learn more about breast augmentation surgery
The surgeon
Dr. Unnikrishnan S, MCh (Plastic Surgery). Sixteen years in plastic surgery, twelve of them at Amicus Clinic, Pattom, Trivandrum.
Member — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS); Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons; Rhinoplasty Society of India.
Next step
Which option suits a given patient, and at what size, is decided in person.
Consultation: ₹500, by appointment.
Amicus Plastic Surgery
Second Floor, Orchid Tower (above V Dental)
Opposite Vydyuti Bhavan, Pattom, Trivandrum 695004
Call or WhatsApp: 8606029728
Monday to Saturday, by appointment only
For information only. Suitability for treatment is decided after an in-person consultation. Individual results vary.