Breast enlargement surgery (not routinely commissioned)

For the treatment of

Abnormal/absent breast development

Commissioning position

This intervention is not routinely commissioned and therefore should not be offered to patients. Application for funding approval can be made, using the IFR process, by the clinician recommending the intervention, if their assessment is that there are exceptional reasons why their patient could benefit from it.

This policy does not cover the following where separate guidance is available: 

  • Gender reassignment surgery 
  • Surgery for breast cancer

Summary of rationale

Breast augmentation should not be carried out for “small” but normal breasts or for breast tissue involution (including postpartum changes).

Breast implants may be associated with significant morbidity and the need for secondary or revisional surgery (such as implant replacement) is common. In fact, it is estimated that one in three women will require further surgery within 10 years of their initial operation. It should be noted that not all patients demonstrate improvement in psychosocial outcome measures following breast augmentation.

References

Breast enlargement (implants) - NHS

Information for commissioners of plastic surgery services (BAPRAS)

Associated Pathways

There are no associated pathways.

Specialties

York - Breast

Places covered by

  • East Riding
  • Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire
  • North Yorkshire
  • Vale of York
Author:
Date created: 10/06/2025, 15:27
Last modified: 11/06/2025, 10:51
Date of review: 31/01/2028