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Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most personalised procedures in plastic surgery. No two patients have the same starting point, the same proportions, or the same goals — and no two implant selections should be identical either.

Mr Matthew Potter has performed breast augmentation surgery for sixteen years. The implant — its size, shape, profile and position — is agreed jointly across several consultations, with trial implants used in clinic to give you a realistic sense of your result before any decision is made. Mr Potter uses only the infra-mammary incision, placed beneath the breast where it is barely visible, and believes this approach carries the lowest infection risk of all available access routes.
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Why Mr Potter

16 years performing breast augmentation

0% capsule contracture

0% long-term nipple or areolar sensation loss

0% ALCL (implant-associated lymphoma)

0% delayed implant exchange

0% redo operations for poor implant position or movement

0% long-term pain

Average post-operative stay: 1 night

Return to office work: 2 weeks on average

Unplanned return to theatre: a single case of haematoma delaying discharge by 1 day

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Implant Selection

Breast augmentation variables — implant volume, profile, shape, shell surface, and placement position — are numerous, and the right combination depends entirely on your existing anatomy, torso dimensions, and what you want to achieve.

Mr Potter uses trial implants in clinic during your consultations so you can develop a realistic sense of different sizes and profiles before any decision is finalised. This process takes time, and he will not rush it.

A joint decision, made across several consultations

Implants can be placed either beneath the breast tissue or beneath the pectoral muscle — a technique known as dual plane placement. The right position depends on the amount of existing breast tissue and the result you are seeking. Mr Potter will discuss both options and his recommendation during your consultations.

Placement

Shell: soft silicone exterior in all cases

Fill: silicone or saline core

Shape: round or anatomical (tear-shaped)

Incision: infra-mammary only — hidden beneath the breast, barely visible, lowest infection risk

Surface: smooth implants only — Mr Potter restricts his implant choice exclusively to smooth, non-textured implants. Textured implants have been associated with ALCL; smooth implants have not.

Implant Options

Silicone is widely used throughout medicine and has a well-established safety profile. Mr Potter will discuss the following in detail during your consultation.

There is a reported association between certain textured implants and a rare form of lymphoma (ALCL). Mr Potter uses smooth implants exclusively — smooth implants have not been associated with this condition — and his outcome data records 0% ALCL across his career.

Breast implants do not prevent routine mammography or ultrasound surveillance, though you should inform the radiographer about your implants before any scan. Having breast implants does not prevent breast feeding.

Historically, implants were understood to have a lifespan of approximately ten years. Mr Potter advises planning for an exchange at around this point, though advances in implant technology may extend this in practice. He follows all augmentation patients long-term.

Implants & Your Health

Patient Imagery

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Your Recovery

What to Expect

Recovery from breast augmentation is generally well tolerated. Some swelling, tightness and tenderness in the first week is normal and expected.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1 – Dressings removed; sports bra fitted; shower encouraged; wound tapes washed and air dried

Days 1–2 – Oral pain relief as needed — most patients need it for two days only

Days 3–5 – Wound tapes begin to peel; trim at home as needed

7 days – Wound check; tapes removed at original hospital

3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter

3 months – Final result review

8 weeks – Sports bra and avoidance of underwired bras until this point

Long-term – Ongoing follow-up; implant exchange planning at approximately 10 years

Do's & Don'ts

  • Wear a supportive soft sports bra day and night for 8 weeks following the procedure
  • Avoid underwired bras for at least 8 weeks following complete wound healing
  • Sleep on your back during the initial post-operative period
  • Shower the morning after surgery; wash wound tapes thoroughly and allow to air dry
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights for 6 weeks
  • Avoid exercise regimes that could cause trauma to the implants
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre
  • Return to normal activities at 8 weeks

The Procedure

What Happens on the Day

You will be admitted on the day of your procedure and seen by the anaesthetist and Mr Potter before going to theatre. Your breasts will be marked and you will have the opportunity to ask any final questions before surgery begins.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately two hours. All sutures are absorbable. Wounds are covered with skin-coloured tape — there are no bulky dressings and no drains. Raised wound edges from the deeper sutures will flatten at around one month, producing the optimal long-term scar.

Most patients stay one night in hospital. On the first day following the procedure your dressings will be removed, the wounds and breasts examined, and you will be put into a sports bra. Mr Potter encourages patients to shower the morning after surgery, getting the dressing tapes wet and allowing them to air dry.
Mr Potter will discuss all risks with you in detail during your consultations. His outcome data across sixteen years reflects a strong safety record across all parameters.
Risks associated with breast augmentation include:
  • Capsule contracture — scar tissue forming around the implant and contracting, causing distortion; 0% in Mr Potter’s data; where this occurs the implant can be exchanged with release of the contracted capsule
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation — usually temporary; 0% long-term loss in Mr Potter’s data
  • Implant movement or malposition — 0% redo operations in Mr Potter’s data
  • Infection — uncommon; the infra-mammary approach is used specifically for its lower infection risk
  • Haematoma — a single case in Mr Potter’s data, delaying discharge by one day; drains are not routinely used but may be placed if the operative site is particularly oozy
  • Scarring — incisions placed beneath the breast and hidden; raised wound edges flatten at around one month; abnormal scarring is rare
  • ALCL — rare implant-associated lymphoma linked to textured implants; 0% in Mr Potter’s data; he uses smooth implants exclusively
  • Asymmetry — pre-existing asymmetry may be emphasised by augmentation; Mr Potter will discuss this during consultation
  • Implant longevity — exchange at approximately ten years is advisable; Mr Potter follows all patients long-term
  • Potential inability to breast feed — breast implants do not prevent breast feeding, though this should be discussed during consultation
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — as with any procedure under general anaesthetic; specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery to ensure you are happy with your result

What Patients Say

Mr Matthew Potter was my surgeon for a breast augmentation. From the first consultation with Matthew I knew he was an amazing surgeon. He is so friendly and approachable. He made me feel so relaxed, comfortable and happy. I always felt nervous before my consultations but I always walked out feeling joy and excitement. On the day of my surgery I was just excited as Matthew had made me feel at ease about the whole process and had explained everything to me. Everything he said would happen, happened, exactly when he said it would happen. I’m still under Matthews care as I only recently had my surgery. But I would highly recommend Matthew to anyone. He is a brilliant doctor and truly exceptional at what he does. I honestly can’t recommend him enough.
It was nice to see Mr Potter last week for review after the surgery. I’m pleased he is happy everything is healing and recovering well. I’m so glad I went ahead with breast augmentation, and chose Mr Potter as my consultant for the surgery, he has done amazing job. I didn’t want large breasts, so I feel I made the right choice to suit by body. I feel 100% more confident in myself now I have the womanly shape I’d desired for such a long time (with the exception of pregnancy and breast feeding, where my breasts did increase in size). I’ve always been extremely self conscious of my lack of breasts, and often found it difficult to find bras and swim wear, and some tops and dresses to fit. Now I can look forward to buying nice normal size lingerie and clothes without feeling embarrassed of having to get tiny sizes
A huge and heartfelt thanks for everything you have done for me.
Mr Potter has been incredible throughout my treatment with him. He explains every single thing in a reassuring way. The surgery he performed was a relaxing manner and the cosmetic result is perfect. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mr Potter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases breast volume using silicone or saline implants. It can also correct breast asymmetry and restore upper breast fullness that cannot be achieved through uplift procedures alone.

Implant selection is a joint decision made across several consultations. Mr Potter uses trial implants in clinic to give you a realistic sense of different sizes and profiles, and will not finalise any decision until you are confident in the choice.

Mr Potter uses only the infra-mammary incision — a single incision placed beneath the breast in the natural fold, where it is barely visible. He uses this approach exclusively because it carries the lowest infection risk of all available access routes.

Textured implants have been associated with a rare form of lymphoma (ALCL). Smooth implants have not. Mr Potter restricts his implant choice exclusively to smooth implants — and his outcome data records 0% ALCL across his entire career.

Breast implants do not prevent mammography or ultrasound surveillance. You should inform the radiographer about your implants before any scan. Some areas of the breast may be less visible on mammography with implants in place — your radiographer will account for this.

Mr Potter advises planning for an implant exchange at approximately ten years. Advances in implant technology may extend this in practice. He follows all breast augmentation patients long-term.

Yes. Breast implants do not prevent breast feeding.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.