Breast Augmentation in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is an operation that enlarges the breasts or restores volume lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Most operations use an implant: a shell of silicone filled with either silicone gel or saline. The implant sits in a pocket behind the breast tissue or partly behind the chest muscle, and it is placed through a cut in the fold under the breast, around the edge of the areola, or in the armpit. A smaller, softer change can come from fat transfer, where fat taken by liposuction from another area is injected into the breast.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, breast augmentation is performed in-house by the surgical team of the plastic surgery department. The same team sees you at consultation, carries out the operation and follows you up afterwards, so your plan stays in one place from the first visit to the final review.
Who needs it
Breast augmentation is an elective operation chosen for appearance. People who consider it include women who feel their breasts are small for their frame, those whose breasts have lost fullness after children or weight loss, and those with a clear difference in size between the two sides. It suits adults in good general health who have a stable weight, who have finished having children or are planning around pregnancy, and who want the change for themselves.
The alternatives deserve equal weight. A well-fitted bra or padding changes shape with no surgery. Fat transfer gives a modest, natural-feeling increase for some people. Where the main concern is drooping, a breast lift may suit better than an implant, or the two may be combined. Leaving things as they are is always a valid outcome of a consultation.
The decision is shared. The surgeon examines and measures the breasts, checks the skin and existing tissue, reviews your health and any family history of breast disease, and asks about your goals. A calm conversation about expectations follows: implants change size and shape, and the result depends on your starting anatomy and how you heal. You then take time to think before a date is booked.
What happens
The first visit is a consultation with Dr. Hamid Esmaeil, Specialist General & Cosmetic Surgeon. He takes a full history, including smoking, previous breast surgery, lumps and medicines, and examines you. Depending on your age and history, breast imaging such as an ultrasound or a mammogram is arranged first, so the breasts are checked before the operation and a baseline is on record for future comparison.
Together you then choose the implant type, shape, size and placement, and the surgeon shows you where the scar will sit. Sizing is planned from your chest measurements and the width of your natural breast, which guide the choice more reliably than a cup size alone. An anaesthetic assessment and routine blood tests follow.
On the day, breast augmentation is performed at Dar Al Kamal Hospital under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes the incision, creates the pocket, places the implant, checks that both sides sit evenly and closes the wound in layers. A supportive dressing and surgical bra go on before you wake. The team tells you in advance whether you go home the same day or stay overnight, and who will collect you.
Preparing for it
- Stop smoking well before surgery, because smoking slows wound healing and raises the chance of complications.
- Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, as some affect bleeding and may need a pause on advice. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without advice.
- Keep your weight stable in the months before the operation.
- Bring any previous breast imaging reports so the team can compare them with new scans.
- Plan time off work and help at home, since lifting and reaching are limited early on; desk work usually resumes sooner than work involving lifting or long drives.
- Choose your timing. Many patients in the UAE plan recovery away from Ramadan fasting and the peak summer heat, when a support bra and dressings feel less comfortable.
Afterwards
Expect soreness, tightness and swelling across the chest in the first weeks. You wear a supportive surgical bra as instructed and return gradually to lifting and upper-body exercise as your surgeon advises. Implants settle into their final position over the following months, and the scars fade gradually.
Follow-up visits take place at Dar Al Kamal Hospital with the team that operated. Implants are a long-term commitment, so regular breast checks continue for life. Mammography remains possible with implants: tell the radiographer about them, because special displacement views are used to show the breast tissue in front of the implant.
Contact the hospital promptly if one breast becomes suddenly larger, tight or very painful, if the wound becomes red, hot or leaks, or if you develop a fever. Go to the nearest emergency department if you have chest pain, sudden breathlessness or a painful swollen leg.
Cost and insurance
Breast augmentation for appearance is usually excluded from UAE health insurance and is self-funded. Reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, or correction of a significant congenital difference, is assessed differently and may be covered with pre-approval, depending on your policy. Once your plan is agreed, the team gives you a written estimate covering the consultation, imaging, implants, operation and follow-up. Contact Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777 to confirm costs and cover.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Is breast augmentation performed at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Yes. Breast augmentation is performed in-house at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah by a specialist general and cosmetic surgeon. The same team handles your consultation, breast imaging, the operation and your follow-up visits.
What are the risks of breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation carries the general risks of surgery and anaesthesia, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and poor scarring, plus risks specific to implants. These include capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant, implant rupture or leakage, rippling, changes in nipple sensation, asymmetry and the need for further surgery. A rare lymphoma called BIA-ALCL has been linked mainly to textured implants, and your surgeon explains your individual risks before you consent.
Do breast implants last for life?
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and many people need further surgery at some point to replace or remove them. How long an implant lasts differs between individuals, so plan for ongoing checks and possible future operations when you decide.
Can I have a mammogram with breast implants?
Yes, mammography remains possible with breast implants. Tell the radiographer before the scan, because extra displacement views are taken to show the breast tissue in front of the implant, and ultrasound or MRI may be added if needed.
How is the implant size chosen?
Implant size is chosen from your chest width, breast measurements, skin stretch and the look you want, rather than from a cup size alone. The surgeon talks you through the options at consultation so the implant suits your frame.
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
Many people breastfeed successfully after breast augmentation, though the incision site and implant placement can affect it. Mention any plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding at the consultation so the surgeon can take them into account when planning the operation.
Is breast augmentation covered by insurance?
Breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons is usually excluded from UAE health insurance and paid for by the patient. Reconstructive breast surgery after cancer or for a significant congenital difference may be covered with pre-approval, and the team can help you check your policy on 06 599 7777.
Should I have my breasts checked before augmentation?
Yes, a breast examination comes before augmentation, and imaging such as ultrasound or mammography may be arranged depending on your age and history. This makes sure any lump or change is assessed first and gives a baseline for future comparison.
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