Before you decide to pursue breast implant surgery, there are some important factors you should consider. As with any type of surgery, it is imperative that you completely understand the entire process, from your initial consultation and preoperative planning, to the operation itself and post operative care and follow up. The first step is to have a consultation with a qualified and experienced Cosmetic Surgeon. During your initial consultation, your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss and explain to you everything you need to know about the surgery. You will be provided with information about what will happen before, during and after your breast implant surgery. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make recommendations about what you can achieve in light of your desires and expectations.

Part of your discussion with your Cosmetic surgeon is choosing the breast implant that is right for you. There are two main types of breast implants; saline and silicone. Saline breast implants are a silicone elastomer shell filled with sterile saline liquid. Their main advantage is that the saline is consistent with normal bodily fluid in the case of shell rupture or leakage. A disadvantage is that saline implants have a less natural feel, like a bag of water rather than soft breast tissue. In contrast, silicone implants have a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel and women tend to prefer the softer, more natural feel of silicone implants. Other variations in implant include size, shape and profile. Factors that will be discussed by the Cosmetic Surgeon regarding the choice of breast implant include your skin type, amount of existing breast tissue, position of the breasts, and the size of the chest and your overall body type and shape. In the end, the type of breast implant that you choose for breast surgery should be based on your desires and needs in addition to the recommendation and advice of your Cosmetic Surgeon.

Prior to breast implant surgery, you will be required to undergo a medical examination in addition to blood tests to inform the Cosmetic Surgeon as to your existing health and plan for surgery. The tests are also done to identify any possible complicating factors or risks that can affect the procedure, your recovery and the eventual result. As for the surgery itself, it usually takes one to two hours. This will be influenced by the complexity of your particular surgery, the surgical technique required and incision types. Following breast implant surgery, you will be required to return to your Cosmetic Surgeon for post operative follow ups for monitoring of your recovery and results. Women are generally able to return to normal activities in 1 to 2 weeks, with avoidance of some activities such as lifting or upper body exercise for 6 weeks. Scars will gradually heal and fade with time.

In general, a youthful, aesthetically pleasing breast has tight tissue with the nipple at the center. As women age, the breasts tend to sag, a condition known as ptosis. However, there are other factors that can contribute to the development and progression of breast ptosis. Some of these include pregnancy and breastfeeding. In such cases, you may need a breast lift. If your nipple is located at or below the breast fold, then may also consider having a lift. A lot of women throughout the world of various social status are interested in undergoing breast lift surgery to enhance the appearance of their breasts. In Sydney, for instance, there are women who are not sold to the idea of introducing foreign materials, like breast implants, into their bodies. For women who share the same sentiment, a breast lift surgery is certainly the better option than a breast augmentation procedure. This is likely one of the primary reasons why there has been a recent surge in the number of women who are seeking to have breast lift surgery in Sydney.

There are two types of breast lifts: the full lift and the modified lift. The full breast lift requires an incision along the crease on the underside of the breast, an incision from the crease to the nipple area, as well as incisions around the areola. This technique is often referred to as the inverted T cut. This is widely used because it allows maximum change to the breast and it almost always achieves the desired shape and position of the breast. On the other hand, the modified breast lift was specifically designed to minimize scarring by reducing the number of incisions required. The main drawback of this technique is that the change and lift is not as pronounced as those achieved with a full lift. Moreover, cosmetic surgeons in Sydney usually perform modified mastopexies together with breast augmentation. There are different types of the modified lift, the most common is the Benelli lift, also known as the donut lift.  Other popular versions are the crescent lift (also called periareolar mastopexy) and the lollipop lift (also called vertical mastopexy or LeJour lift).

Deciding on the best procedure is simply a matter of individual preferences. When you have made the decision to undergo breast lift surgery in Sydney, make sure you are aware of all your options so you fully understand what you would be going through and what you can realistically expect from the surgery. More importantly, choose the best possible cosmetic surgeon in Sydney. Remember that your surgeon is the single and most important factor that will determine the outcome of the procedure. When planned and carefully executed, a breast lift can make a huge impact in your life. It may be the physical change that is most evident, but the psycho-emotional benefits are ultimately the most satisfying.

Breast augmentation using breast implants, typically silicone implants, is currently the most popular and common cosmetic surgery performed in Sydney. This procedure involves the insertion of implants to enlarge and enhance a woman’s breasts. This requires only a few days of recovery and has very good rates of success and high satisfaction.

Liposuction has been so far the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in Sydney to achieve immediate sculptured and defined bodies, particularly following weight loss programs. It is not surprising therefore, that both men and women consider Cosmetic Surgery to improve their self confidence and more importantly for some, for health reasons. Sydney patients importantly consider the length of time to recover and any possible adverse effects and consequently they achieve realistic and desired results. Liposuction as a form of cosmetic surgery is commonly performed on women and men on their abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and upper arms.

Another procedure in Sydney that is very popular among women following weight loss and pregnancy and men after significant weight loss is a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty). This is performed when liposuction or other cosmetic surgery, weight loss or exercise alone will not address the sagging abdominal skin and spreading abdominal muscles. A Tummy Tuck tightens the lax skin and abdominal muscles, creating a defined abdomen. The scar is located below the underwear line and is easily hidden by clothing. Tummy Tuck scars typically fade to a fine scar with care and appropriate scar management.

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a “nose job”, is another popular cosmetic surgery in Sydney where the nose is reshaped, producing an aesthetic and attractive nose and therefore facial features. The nose is an important and central feature of the face. Trauma or normal aberrations of the nose can result in a loss of self confidence by patients seeking Rhinoplasty surgery. Patients in Sydney who undergo Rhinoplasty either want to enhance, change the shape or augment their nose.  Rhinoplasty alone may not correct breathing problems; these patients will need to seek the advice from an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon to help improve breathing difficulties.

Other common cosmetic surgeries in Sydney are face and neck lift and breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty). Face and neck lift surgery are performed for patients seeking a longer term result while breast reduction decreases the breast volume and shape to a natural, perky shape. It removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body weight.

For most patients in Sydney, the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is a significant and important step. Often it is an attempt to enhance, improve or correct a patient’s self image but it could also be to resolve an underlying medical condition. More importantly, the patient makes an informed decision and is under the care of a professional who is qualified to perform cosmetic surgery be it in Sydney or elsewhere in Australia.

Patients often find they appear rejuvenated to others, with final results being aesthetic and natural. Unlike the excesses of Cosmetic Surgery performed overseas in countries such as the USA, patients in Sydney and Australia prefer an enhanced, rejuvenated, beautiful and natural result.

2. Undergo thorough medical history.
Your medical history plays an important part of your preparation for breast augmentation. There are lots of things to consider before you proceed with breast augmentation; these include your detailed medical history of related medical illnesses or conditions, family history of breast disease, medications you take (including prescription, non-prescription and herbal medications) and lifestyle habits (such as smoking and alcohol consumption). Doing so will enable the Surgeon to inform you as to how can these can affect your breast augmentation either before, during or after the procedure.

3. Choose which type of breast augmentation is best for you.
In your consultation, your Cosmetic Surgeon will provide you with recommendations as to which type of breast augmentation is best for you based on your goals and your body, including your size, shape and proportions. The incision placement will also be discussed; most commonly incisions are placed in the mammary fold under the breast, but some women seek the incision site around the nipple and areola complex or an axillary incision under the armpit.
You will also discuss the breast implants that are most suitable for you and that provide your desired results. Breast implants vary in their size, shape, volume, profile, projection, texture and materials. You can choose between a saline or silicone breast Implants, but most women choose silicone Implants. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss this information thoroughly with you, your options and his/her recommendations.

4. Understanding the benefits, limitations and risks of breast augmentation.
Other significant information that the Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss with you are the risks, limitations and potential complications of breast augmentation surgery. In deciding whether to pursue breast implants, you have to weigh up these issues with your goals, motivations and the potential benefits of surgery.

Summary
The overall key to considering and potentially pursuing breast augmentation is making an informed personal decision. A well experienced and qualified Cosmetic Surgeon will take the time to provide you with all the information you require to make your decision. It is always recommended to seek two or three opinions before choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and that you trust.

Preparing for your breast augmentation plans can be simple and easy, provided that you know the steps to take. These suggestions and tips provide you with a guide to achieve the best outcome.

Women who are considering Breast lift surgery must bear in mind that its overall success and safety depends on complete candidness during the initial consultation. The Cosmetic Surgeon will ask you a number of questions regarding your health and lifestyle. Other pertinent questions that you may need to answer include why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome. Prior to the surgery, you may be required to undergo a medical examination or get pathology testing, quit smoking, refrain from taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs as these increase the risk of bleeding.

As for the breast lift procedure itself, the surgery can be done by several techniques and incision patterns, such as the “ice cream cone” or “lollipop” incisions. However, the appropriate technique will depend on your breast size and shape, the degree of sagging, the position of your areolas (coloured part of the Nipple) as well as the skin quality and elasticity, which will have been discussed with you in your consultation. The initial step in surgery involves the use of intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Once you are properly sedated, the Cosmetic Surgeon makes the necessary incisions. Then the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped, and the nipple and the areola are repositioned to a normal height. Excess skin is removed to address the loss of elasticity. Then the incisions are closed.

The incision lines are usually concealed in the natural breast contours but others may be visible on the surface of the breast. Incision lines are permanent but in the majority of cases, they tend to fade and improve over time. The Cosmetic Surgeon will advise you on the best post operative care of scars for the best results. After the breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise you to wear either an elastic bandage or a support bra to minimize the swelling and support the tissues as they heal. In some cases, there may be a small tube placed temporarily under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may accumulate.

Prior to your discharge from hospital, your Cosmetic Surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your breasts for optimum healing; you will also be prescribed certain medications to aid the healing process and to minimize the risk of infection. Usually most women recover from surgery within 1-2 weeks. The final outcome of your breast lift will be evident over the next couple of months as breast shape and position continue to settle. The results of your breast lift surgery of uplifted and shapely breasts will be long-lasting.

Ptosis, the technical term for drooping or sagging of the breasts, is part of the aging process of the female body. It may also be the result of pregnancy and breast feeding or significant weight loss. Breast ptosis can significantly affect a woman’s body image, self esteem and self confidence. Breast lift is becoming increasingly popular among women who wish to improve their body contour and shape. In some cases, breast augmentation or the use of breast implants is used in conjunction with a breast lift to restore or increase breast volume and shape.

If you are considering breast lift surgery, there are some important things about the surgery that you should know. Breast lift, as with any surgery, requires preparation and planning. Women who want a breast lift need to provide the certified Cosmetic Surgeon with a thorough medical history and status. The surgeon will also conduct a physical examination and request pathology tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may affect the surgery.

There are several techniques for breast lift surgery, depending on the extent of the ptosis and degree of lift required. The technique most suitable for the patient will ultimately be decided by the Cosmetic Surgeon and discussed with the patient fully during the consultation process.

Breast lift surgery is performed in a sterile operating theatre under general anaesthetic. A full breast lift, otherwise known as the Wise pattern involves an incision along the crease under the breast, a circular cut around the areola, and a vertical cut between the areola and the crease area. This technique allows for significant changes in breast position, appearance and feel, but a potential disadvantage is the presence of visible scarring. A technique that is gaining in popularity is the vertical Mastopexy; two variations of this technique is the Le Jour or the Hall-Findlay both produces a “Lollipop” incision pattern. This does not include the Inframammary incisions like the Wise pattern full breast lift. There is also the Benelli lift or the crescent lift; both techniques produce a scar around the Nipple only.

Once completed, the incisions are sutured and the patient’s breasts are wrapped in surgical bandage and/or tape. After the removal of the bandage, the patient will be required to wear a soft support bra throughout the recovery period. Pain medication is often prescribed by the Cosmetic Surgeon to ease any discomfort that the patient may experience post-operatively. The patient returns for a follow up consultation with the Cosmetic Surgeon two weeks after surgery.

Women who have undergone breast lift surgery describe a high level of satisfaction with their new breast shape, proportion and contours and experience an increase in their self confidence and self esteem. For more information, you should contact a certified Cosmetic Surgeon.

For these women, their large breasts can be uncomfortable, cumbersome and painful. Other women describe how their large breasts limit their ability to exercise comfortably and without embarrassment, or how they struggle to find clothes to fit them that they like or find attractive.

Some women have always had large breasts and some women find their breasts become disproportionately large following pregnancy and breast feeding. These women require a breast reduction and lift.

Other women find that they previously had large breasts, however, following breast feeding the breasts have “deflated” and lost volume and ultimately sag due to the redundant skin. A breast lift and occasionally breast augmentation as well will help women achieve a natural and shapely breast.

Men may also choose to have a male breast reduction. These men often describe feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable by the size of their ‘breasts’ and have found exercise and a healthy lifestyle has not helped.

Men may only require Liposuction as a form of breast reduction; others however may require liposuction with excision of some breast tissue. For those men that have had significant weight loss, they require breast reduction surgery similar to that performed on women.

Breast reduction and breast lift surgery can take between 2 and 4 hours and should only be performed by a fully qualified and certified Cosmetic Surgeon. Breast reduction and breast lift surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic with the option of an overnight stay in hospital.

The breast reduction surgery involves removal of skin and breast tissue. In your consultation prior to surgery, the Cosmetic Surgeon will have thoroughly discussed with you what breast size you are aiming to achieve and what he or she believes is appropriate. It is better to take a conservative approach when removing breast skin and tissue as once it has been removed, it can’t be put back. Breast reduction surgery is often combined with a breast lift where the nipple and areola is lifted and relocated on the breast mound.

Men and women who have undergone breast reduction surgery typically describe being more comfortable with their size and shape, happier with their body proportion and silhouette, more confident to wear a wider range of clothes and comfort exercising. These men and women describe a weight being lifted…literally!

Following childbirth and significant weight loss there are areas of fat deposition which are difficult to reduce despite regular exercise and dieting. The abdominal muscles are still lax and will bulge despite doing exercises to strengthen the “stomach muscles”.Abdominoplasty(Tummy Tuck) is the surgical procedure which removes the excess fat and skin apron that is otherwise difficult to reduce via conventional exercises. It is not a procedure or an alternative for weight reduction or as management for obesity.

Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction/liposculpture to contour the thorax and abdomen to give patients a defined and aesthetically pleasing figure.A Tummy Tuck requires a lower abdominal incision and can incorporate old caesarean scars with the added benefit of removal of some of the stretch marks. Patients should be aware that scar formation will occur; every effort is made to keep the scar within the underwear or clothing line.

Occasionally patients will require relocation of the umbilicus (“belly button”) when a significant amount of abdominal tissue is removed and during closure of the wound the umbilicus becomes distorted.

Tummy Tucks are performed in an accredited operating theatre under general anaesthetic with an anaesthetist; patient recovery is typically over several weeks.

The common complications are: Discomfort, bruising, a taut abdomen and decreased sensitivity of the skin.Less frequent or rare complications include: Deep vein thromboses and Pulmonary Thrombi (lung clots),Bleeding, seroma, wound breakdown and infection.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk of all complications.

Liposuction/Liposculpture

Liposuction removes fat cells from regions of fat deposition which are not able to be shifted by regular exercise and a sensible diet. The procedure therefore is not meant to replace these modalities for treating obesity and it is not a weight loss procedure.

Whilst liposuction removes fat cells it is the surgeon’s cosmetic/aesthetic skill to contour and define the regions of the body being operated on, Liposculpture is a reflection of the surgeon’s artistic ability and expertise to achieve the results.

Fat cells are removed from various levels of the area being treated as well as from adjacent areas to prevent complications such as dimpling and contour irregularities. An important consideration is how much fat the surgeon leaves behind; resulting in a better aesthetic result.

Liposuction/Liposculpture is performed in an accredited day surgery under anaesthetic with an anaesthetist.

Patients require several months to recover and will be required to wear a garment to compress the tunnels produced by liposuction and to have the tissues adhere to form a new contoured and defined shape.

The common complications are: Bruising, pain and discomfort, decreased areas of sensitivity which heal with time. Less common or rare complications are: Deep vein thromboses, pulmonary thrombi (Lung clots), bleeding, seroma and infection.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk of all complications.

Gynaecomastia (Male Breast Enlargement)

Men can develop fatty or fibrous breast enlargement, which may occur for a variety of reasons such as Metabolic, physiological, age related and medication induced.

Many men find the appearance unsightly and they develop poor self image, avoiding certain social situations requiring removal of shirts or T-shirts.The surgical management for Gynaecomastia is either Liposuction alone or a combination of liposuction and excision of the fibrous component of the breast tissue. A small incision is made around the lower half of the nipple areola complex; this eventually heals well and fades over 2-3 months.

Preparing for Surgery

One of the most common breast reduction surgery techniques involves using an anchor-shape incision. This technique involves an incision encircling the areola before going downward vertically; it will then follow the curve of the crease under the breast. Any excess skin and breast tissue will be removed. As a result, the skin will be used as a brassiere to redrape and contour the breast.

In most cases, breast reduction surgery takes 2 to 3.5 hours depending on the extent of the surgery as well as the individual characteristics of the patient. Most women opt to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days although many are allowed to go home on the same day of their surgery.
Have Realistic Expectations

While there are many breast reduction benefits, it is still important to have realistic expectations of what can be achieved. Most patients are happy with the result. But in rare instances, some people cannot deal with the sudden changes in their body. They either think that the surgery did not do enough or the opposite: that the surgery did too much. Having a comprehensive talk with the surgeon can help you avoid this scenario.

In addition, it is critical to be prepared for the feelings of pain and discomfort that accompany the surgery. The area needs to be bandaged for support for a few days. After that, the doctor will require you to wear a supportive bra (like a maternity bra) until the bruising and swelling subsides. Most of the stitches used in the operation will dissolve in your body. Any remaining stitches will be removed 5 days after the procedure.
Another issue relating to breast reduction surgery is the scarring. For most women, this is the biggest disadvantage they face. The scar is typically lengthy and it will take several months to disappear.

Is it Worth It?

Many women report that the advantages and benefits of breast reduction surgery outweigh the disadvantages of surgery, making surgery a worthwhile exercise. The most common advantages described by patients include reduced discomfort and increased self confidence about their appearance and proportions.