Breast surgery is a personal choice rooted in the trust you give to your surgeon – that they will listen to your goals, guide you honestly and look after you from consultation to recovery. Most women come away from surgery feeling positive about that decision, but some experience results or complications that simply don’t feel right. If something about your outcome is making you uneasy, it’s important to acknowledge those instincts and understand what you can do next.
What Surgeons Are Expected to Do
Cosmetic surgeons in the UK have strict professional responsibilities. They must:
- Give clear, honest information about risks, scarring and realistic outcomes. They should also inform you about any potential alternatives to surgery.
- Assess properly whether a patient is suitable for surgery.
- Use safe, appropriate techniques and perform the surgery as agreed upon during your consultation.
- Maintain a sterile environment.
- Monitor healing and respond to problems promptly.
These aren’t optional extras, this is the standard of care you are entitled to. If these obligations weren’t met, and complications developed as a result, this may be classed as negligent treatment.
What’s Normal During Recovery, and What Isn’t
Early healing can be messy. Swelling, bruising, tightness and changes in sensation are common. However, these should gradually ease, not worsen.
Signs that something may not be right include:
- Symmastia: implants drifting toward the centre of the chest.
- Double bubble: an extra fold forming beneath the implant.
- Areola stretching: changes to size or shape that appear uneven or unexpected.
- Waterfall deformity: breast tissue sitting significantly lower than the implant.
- Persistent droopiness: breasts looking unsupported long after recovery should have progressed.
- Asymmetry: noticeable differences in height, shape or nipple position.
- Infection: spreading redness, heat, discharge, unpleasant smell or increasing pain.
Put Your Health First
If you feel something isn’t right, book a medical check-up. You can see your GP, a walk-in clinician or an independent cosmetic surgeon – it doesn’t need to be the doctor who operated on you.
Getting seen quickly helps:
- Protect your health.
- Prevent complications worsening.
- Create a medical record of what you’re experiencing.
Alongside looking after your health, having clear medical records can really help if you decide to make a compensation claim.
Collect Further Evidence
Alongside the record created by your medical treatment, you should look to gather other useful information together. This includes:
- Consultation notes, consent forms and pre-surgery information.
- Written communication with the clinic.
- Photographs taken before surgery, immediately after and as complications developed.
- Medical records from GP visits, walk-in centres or private assessments.
- Receipts for medication, extra appointments or treatments.
- Notes on how the situation has affected your daily life – things like pain, confidence, work, stress and anything else you’ve struggled with since the procedure.
This all helps build a clear picture of what has happened and how it has impacted you.
You Don’t Need to Confront the Clinic If You Don’t Want To
Some women choose to raise concerns with their surgeon. Others don’t feel comfortable, and that’s completely valid. You are under no obligation to contact the clinic directly. If you speak to a solicitor later, they can handle communication on your behalf.
Get Advice From a Specialist Solicitor
If you suspect your complications stem from negligent care, speaking with a solicitor who specialises in breast surgery compensation claims can be incredibly helpful. They will:
- Assess your evidence and give an honest view on whether negligence may have occurred.
- Explain your rights in plain language.
- Arrange an independent medical opinion if needed.
- Handle all communication with the clinic or their insurers.
- Guide you through the breast surgery compensation claims process from start to finish.
Compensation can help with financial losses, the emotional distress you’ve been through and the wider impact the negligence has had on your life, including missed work, ongoing discomfort and changes in your confidence.
You’re Not Overreacting, And You’re Not on Your Own
Feeling disappointed, anxious or let down after breast surgery is something many women struggle to talk about – but your feelings are valid. If your results don’t match what you were led to expect, or you’re dealing with complications that should have been prevented or properly managed, you deserve support and clear guidance.
By getting medical advice, gathering information and speaking with a specialist, you can start to move forward, and take back control of the situation.
