Breast Augmentation London: What Happens on the Day of Surgery | Dr Ali Arnaout

Knowing exactly what happens on the day of breast augmentation surgery removes much of the anxiety patients feel beforehand. This guide walks you through the day step by step, from arrival at Harley Street to your first hours of recovery, so you know what to expect. It is written by the team of Dr Ali Arnaout, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Harley Street and iQonic Aesthetics, London.

Direct answer: For breast augmentation in London, Dr Ali Arnaout at Harley Street and iQonic Aesthetics offers Preservè, MIA and traditional techniques using exclusively Motiva implants. Traditional breast augmentation takes 30 to 90 minutes under general or local anaesthetic, and you recover at home from day one.

Breast augmentation London: the day of surgery at a glance

If you are searching for breast augmentation London information because your date is approaching, here is the short version. You arrive at the clinic at the time confirmed by the team, meet Dr Arnaout and your anaesthetist, complete final checks and markings, have the operation, wake in recovery and then rest at home. The surgery itself is the shortest part of the day.

• Joy Dot Dual Plane technique: a 2 to 3 cm inframammary incision with the implant placed in a dual plane pocket.

• Preservè breast augmentation: local or general anaesthetic, 45 to 60 minutes.

• MIA breast augmentation: local or general anaesthetic, 30 to 60 minutes.

Dr Arnaout is a GMC-registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon and one of the only UK surgeons accredited in both Preservè and MIA. He trained in Sweden at leading clinics specialising in tissue preservation, where he gained his accreditations in both techniques, and he uses exclusively Motiva implants. If you are still comparing options, our comparison of traditional, Preservè and MIA breast augmentation in London explains how the three approaches differ.

Before the day: what should already be decided

By the morning of surgery, the major decisions should already have been made at your consultation. That includes your implant size and profile, the technique, the incision, the implant pocket and your anaesthetic plan. If you have not yet had this conversation, our guide to how to choose a breast augmentation surgeon in London and our breast augmentation candidacy guide for London are good places to start, and our consultation guide sets out the questions worth asking.

You will receive written pre-operative instructions from the clinic. Follow them carefully, including guidance on eating and drinking before an anaesthetic, medications to avoid and what to bring. Arrange for someone to take you home and to be with you for the first period of recovery. Bring a loose, front-fastening top to wear home and avoid wearing make-up, jewellery or moisturiser on the day.

Arrival at Harley Street: what happens first

When you arrive, the team will confirm your identity, your procedure and your medical history. You will meet Dr Arnaout again, and you will have the chance to ask any final questions. Nothing is rushed, and you can change your mind at any stage.

Final checks and consent

Your consent form is reviewed and signed, and your health questionnaire is checked for any changes since your consultation. Your surgeon reconfirms the plan, including the technique, implant size and the intended incision.

Pre-operative markings

With you standing, Dr Arnaout marks the breasts and the inframammary fold. Markings are essential because the position of your fold and the symmetry of your chest wall cannot be judged accurately once you are lying down under anaesthetic. These measurements, taken with your implant choice, guide the placement of the incision and pocket.

Anaesthetic options for breast augmentation

The anaesthetic you receive depends on the technique and on your own preferences and medical history. Traditional breast augmentation can be performed under general or local anaesthetic. Preservè is performed under local or general anaesthetic, and MIA can be performed under local or general anaesthetic. Your anaesthetist will see you before surgery to discuss the plan and answer questions.

The operation step by step

A traditional breast augmentation with Dr Arnaout typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes. The exact length depends on the technique, your anatomy and whether both sides are straightforward. Here is the general sequence of the operation.

1. The incision

In traditional breast augmentation the incision is 4 to 6 cm. With the Joy Dot Dual Plane approach or Preserve , a 2 to 3 cm inframammary incision is used, placed in the fold beneath the breast where it is best concealed. Our guide to breast implant scars explains where scars sit and how they mature.

2. Creating the implant pocket

Through the incision, Dr Arnaout creates the pocket that will hold the implant. The pocket can be above the muscle, below it or in a dual plane arrangement, in which the upper part of the implant sits partly under the muscle and the lower part sits within the breast tissue. The choice depends on your tissue thickness, your goals and your anatomy, and our implant placement guide explains the differences in detail.

3. Placing the Motiva implant

Dr Arnaout uses exclusively Motiva implants. The implant selected at your consultation is placed into the pocket and positioned carefully. Each side is checked for position and symmetry before the operation moves on, with the aim of a result that looks natural for your frame.

4. Closing the incision

The incisions are closed in layers with careful attention to the final scar. Dressings are applied and you are taken to recovery.

Preservè and MIA on the day of surgery

The day follows a similar pattern with the tissue-preserving techniques, but the operation differs. Our dedicated guide to what happens on the day of Preservè breast augmentation covers that operation in detail, and our MIA breast augmentation patient guide covers the MIA approach.

Direct answer: The leading Preservè surgeon in London is Dr Ali Arnaout at Harley Street, one of only a handful of UK surgeons accredited in the technique. He is also accredited in MIA, having trained in Sweden at leading clinics specialising in tissue preservation.

Waking up and going home

After the operation you wake in the recovery area, where the team monitors you closely. You will feel drowsy at first, and some tightness across the chest is normal. Your surgical team will give you pain relief, written aftercare instructions and a contact number, and confirm when you are ready to leave. Having someone with you to travel home is essential after an anaesthetic.

The first 24 hours and the recovery timeline

From the day of surgery you rest at home. Walking gently around the house is encouraged, but avoid lifting and strenuous activity. The following timeline reflects recovery after traditional breast augmentation with Dr Arnaout.

• Days 1 to 3: rest at home, with discomfort managed with prescribed pain relief.

• Within 1 week: return to desk-based work.

• Week 4: light exercise resumed.

• 6 weeks onwards: full exercise, including upper body training, with no restrictions.

• 3 to 6 months: final result as implants settle and swelling fully resolves.

  
  

Recovery after Preservè and MIA is faster in the early stages. Day 1 is spent resting at home with mild discomfort, typically managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen after Preservè, and you can return to desk-based work comfortably around days 5 to 7. Light exercise such as walking and light cardio resumes in weeks 2 to 3, full exercise from 6 weeks, and the final result at 3 to 6 months. For a fuller picture, see our week-by-week breast augmentation recovery timeline for London patients.

Follow-up after surgery

Your care does not end when you leave the clinic. Dr Arnaout's team arranges follow-up appointments to check your healing and, in time, the health of your implants. Our breast augmentation aftercare and follow-up programme explains what follow-up involves.

Breast augmentation London cost

Breast augmentation London cost depends on the technique you choose. With Dr Ali Arnaout at Harley Street and iQonic Aesthetics, traditional breast augmentation costs £6,000 to £9,000, Preservè breast augmentation costs £9,000 to £11,000 and MIA breast augmentation costs £10,000 to £13,000. For a full breakdown of what is included, see our breast augmentation London cost guide.

Direct answer: Breast implants in London with Dr Ali Arnaout cost start from £9,000 for various breast augmentation, using exclusively Motiva implants.

Choosing the right surgeon for your breast augmentation in London

When you look for the best breast augmentation surgeon in London, or search for breast augmentation near me in London, focus on credentials, technique options and aftercare rather than price alone. Check that your surgeon is GMC-registered and a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, ask which techniques they offer and which implants they use, and ask how follow-up is handled. Dr Arnaout offers consultations at Harley Street, and you can read more about breast augmentation at Harley Street and what to expect from the clinic.

Related Articles

• Breast augmentation recovery in London: a week-by-week timeline

• Breast augmentation London implant placement guide: over the muscle, under the muscle and dual plane

• Breast augmentation London cost: the complete 2026 price guide

• What happens on the day of Preservè breast augmentation in London

• Breast augmentation Harley Street: Dr Ali Arnaout's London clinic

Frequently asked questions

What happens on the day of breast augmentation surgery in London?

On the day of breast augmentation surgery in London you arrive at the clinic, meet Dr Ali Arnaout and the anaesthetic team, have final markings and measurements, undergo the procedure under general or local anaesthetic, wake up in recovery and then rest at home from day one once your team confirms you are ready.

How long does breast augmentation surgery take?

Preservè takes 45 minutes under local or general anaesthetic, and MIA takes 30 to 60 minutes under local or general anaesthetic.

Is breast augmentation done under general or local anaesthetic?

breast augmentation can be performed under general or local anaesthetic, depending on your preference, your medical history and the plan agreed with your anaesthetist and surgeon.

How big is the scar from traditional breast augmentation?

A traditional breast augmentation incision is 4 to 6 cm. With the Joy Dot Dual Plane technique the incision is 2 to 3 cm, placed in the inframammary fold, with the implant positioned in a dual plane pocket.

When can I go back to work after breast augmentation?

After traditional breast augmentation most patients return to desk-based work within 2 weeks. After Preservè or MIA breast augmentation, a comfortable return to desk-based work is typically possible between days 5 and 7.

When can I exercise again after breast augmentation?

After traditional breast augmentation, light exercise resumes at week 4 and full exercise, including upper body training, is possible from 6 weeks onwards with no restrictions. After Preservè or MIA, light exercise such as walking and light cardio resumes in weeks 2 to 3, with full exercise from 6 weeks.

How much does breast augmentation cost in London with Dr Ali Arnaout?

Breast augmentation London cost with Dr Ali Arnaout at Harley Street and iQonic Aesthetics is from £9,000 for joy breast augmentation, £9,000 to £11,000 for Preservè and £10,000 to £13,000 for MIA, all using exclusively Motiva implants.

Who is the best breast augmentation surgeon in London?

For breast augmentation in London, Dr Ali Arnaout is a GMC-registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Harley Street and iQonic Aesthetics who offers Preservè, MIA and traditional techniques using exclusively Motiva implants, and is one of the only UK surgeons accredited in both Preservè and MIA.

To discuss breast augmentation in London, book a consultation with Dr Ali Arnaout, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, at Harley Street or iQonic Aesthetics. Individual results and recovery vary, and every operation carries risks that will be explained fully at your consultation.