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.

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.