Macrolane: The Surgeon's Perspective

Created on 12th January 2009

Miss Lisa Sacks, consultant plastic surgeon at the Nuffield Hospital Bristol, explains why she offers Macrolane

Many women notice a change in the consistency of their breast tissue after completing their families. There is a definite loss of firmness and there may be drooping as well. Similar changes are seen after weight loss, and also with ageing. Others have never had much breast tissue at all.

Many of these women would like to do something, without actually needing a general anaesthetic and the accompanying downtime of breast enlargement surgery. Many have dreamed about something that could help firm up their breasts with minimum inconvenience; something
that looked so natural only they would know they weren’t wearing a push-up bra.

Macrolane could be the answer: a hyaluronic acid gel that can be injected beneath the breast tissue above the muscle. Breasts can be enlarged by one up size and the effects last for up to one year. It then requires a top up injection less than the riginal volume used.

I believe that a surgeon routinely operating on the breast can often be the best person to consult about this procedure, although non-surgeons are also offering this treatment.

Your status, including health and medication, risks for breast cancer and suitability for the procedure need to be carefully considered. A full family history, ncluding risks of breast cancer, needs to be sought. Women of a certain age should have a baseline mammogram.

Most importantly, the quality of the breast tissue needs to be examined for appropriateness f this technique. Sadly, not all women are appropriate for this form of treatment and this is where the surgeon’s  expertise comes into play. Excessive drooping and stretch marks, heavy breasts and unrealistic expectations may all be reasons for unsuitability.

The most appropriate candidates are women who have very little breast tissue (A or B cups) or who have lost their breast firmness, or who may have a little drooping (B or C cups) and would be happy with just one cup size increase.

Macrolane has only been available since the beginning of this year but it is clear that it is attracting a different group of patients who are specifically seeking non-surgical breast enhancement.

Reasons given for this include fear of anaesthesia, desire for no downtime, a natural appearance, mall volume enhancement and symmetrisation. Macrolane offers and delivers all of these things and does so almost instantly.

I believe it is incumbent on the doctor seeing the patient for the first time to outline possible scenarios for the patient once the Macrolane starts to dissolve visibly and again a surgeon can provide the patient with all the options they have at this point.

These options include annual top ups if affordable, having silicone implants, having fat grafting or not pursuing further treatment. Women who may have been adamantly against implants find themselves considering surgery after enjoying the advantages of enlarged breasts.

I feel that Macrolane is increasing the possibilities of available  teatments for women. Rather than competing with implant surgery, it seems to be drawing in women who would otherwise never have thought  it possible.