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.

Non-surgical and less invasive facial rejuvenation treatments, such as Botox® or Dermal Fillers, are temporary measures to address the signs of aging such as wrinkles, frown lines and volume loss. Face lift surgery offers longer lasting refreshed and rejuvenated results.

There are a number of techniques to perform Face lift surgery, with varied results and success. Macs lift; S Lift and Thread lift offer quick “lunch time” Face lifts. They temporarily address the sagging skin but not the sagging underlying primary soft tissues. These procedures are also restricted by the kind of patient for whom they are appropriate. They are normally youthful patients with minimum wrinkles, sagging or sun damage and thick skin. However, as the results are only temporary, many patients are unsatisfied longer term and seek correction with a comprehensive Face lift at a later date.

A comprehensive and thorough face lift should give an excellent and long-term result for most patients. The surgery is typically performed under deep sedation or general anaesthesia. The recovery period is expected to be between 2 to 3 weeks

Face lifts can be effectively combined with eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty) and other facial procedures. Blepharoplasty specifically addresses the sagging tissue around the eye that can be very aging and give patients a sad or tired appearance.

Face lifts are beneficial in addressing sagging and wrinkled skin creases in the cheeks, jowls and neck. Lines around the mouth, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds may not be completely addressed by surgery and Botox® and dermal fillers may be used to enhance the Face lift results. Excess pulling and tightening of the skin causing a “windswept” look is to be avoided.

As correct Face lift techniques also address the deeper tissues and structures of the face and neck, there is less tension at the closure of the incisions. The incisions are concealed within the tucks and natural folds. Efforts to prevent hair loss due to traction, injury or strain to hair follicles are observed during the procedure.

Following Face lift surgery, continued care of the skin is important, especially from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light and the sun.

Patients who have undergone Face lift surgery describe their appearance as refreshed, rejuvenated and revitalized. Friends and family often ask where they have been on holiday!

Before surgery

As with any surgical procedure, the certified Cosmetic Surgeon will see you for a consultation to evaluate your needs and goals. This includes a physical examination and a thorough review of your medical history and status. In your consultation, your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss and describe the appropriate technique and plan for you. The amount of skin and fatty tissue requiring removal and underlying muscle weakness can be determined through a physical examination. The Matarasso Classification is used to identify the types of tummy tuck required. The presence of underlying hernias may also be investigated with referral for an ultrasound. An ideal and stable weight is desirable prior to surgery with a history of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Tummy tuck surgery should not be viewed as a weight loss strategy.

During the surgery

Tummy tucks are performed by a certified Cosmetic Surgeon under general anaesthetic. The incision will be made a few inches below the belly button; for women an old caesarian incision can be utilized. Excess skin and fatty tissue between the incision and the belly button is then removed. To produce a tighter appearance, the muscle from each side of the tummy will be pulled and stitched together. Depending on the amount of skin and fatty tissue removed, the belly button may be reshaped and created to fit the newly tightened stomach. The tummy tuck procedure can take between 2 and 4 hours depending on the complexity and extent of the surgery.

After the surgery

Recovery from tummy tuck surgery usually takes up to 6 to 8 weeks. Usually patients take a couple of weeks off work. It is important to rest following surgery. It is also important not to place the incision and stitches under any tension or pressure. The wound and tummy may be painful and tight (often described as if you had just done a thousand sit ups) and cause the patient to bend at the hips to sleep and walk. It may take a couple of weeks for this pain to subside and the patient to feel comfortable standing up straight. Following surgery, a compression garment is to be worn for 6 to 8 weeks (or more) to provide support to the tummy and provide maximum adherence of the skin and underlying tissue; this facilitates a successful result. The incision scars are placed in areas usually covered by underwear. Eventually these scars will lighten.

Typically patients who have had a tummy tuck describe a high degree of satisfaction with their new body shape and tone, giving them increased confidence in their appearance and choosing flattering clothes.

For more information, contact a certified Cosmetic Surgeon.

Men and women have different reasons for pursuing Cosmetic Surgery, whether it is to achieve a more youthful appearance to reflect one’s outlook and personality, to achieve a certain body proportion or shape, or to restore or rejuvenate one’s appearance. Often patients are everyday people seeking to restore their body shape, sometimes after significant weight loss or often mums who want their bodies to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and size. What is important for a person considering Cosmetic Surgery is that the individual is doing it for himself or herself and not for other people. It is also vital to have realistic goals and expectations of what Cosmetic Surgery can achieve, and a certified Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss your goals and potential outcomes of Cosmetic Surgery with you in detail.

People who have had successful Cosmetic Surgery describe an increase in their self-esteem and self confidence, which has a positive impact on their everyday interactions in work and social situations.

Types of Cosmetic Surgery

There are various types of Cosmetic Surgery. These include:

• Breast augmentation – also known as breast implants or breast enlargement. This surgery involves insertion of breast implants into the breast tissue to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Breast augmentation may be sought by women wishing to increase the size of their breasts or restore previous volume and shape prior to weight loss or pregnancy and breast feeding.

• Breast lift – involves lifting of the breast to address sagging or drooping and may be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation. Again, this surgery may be appropriate for women seeking to restore previous shape prior to pregnancy and breast feeding or weight loss.

• Breast reduction – surgery to reduce the size and reshape the breast, often pursued by women who are suffering back and neck pain and general discomfort. This is also pursued by men to address “man boobs”. This procedure may also involve liposuction.

• Face lift and/or Neck lift – surgery sought by men and women to rejuvenate the face and neck area by tightening, lifting and redraping skin and the underlying tissue. Good technique and surgical skill ensures a natural looking result rather than a ‘windswept’ appearance.

• Eyelid surgery – technically known as blepharoplasty. This procedure for men or women is used to address excess skin and tissue in the eye area, either on the upper eyelid or lower eyelid.

• Abdominoplasty – commonly known as tummy tuck. This surgery addresses the shape and tone of the tummy area, typically sought by men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight and require removal of excess skin and tissue, or by mums who have residual skin and tissue after pregnancy. This surgery may also include liposuction.

• Liposuction – also known as liposculpture. This surgery involves removal of fatty tissue through a process of suctioning and is particularly useful for men and women who have achieved an optimal and stable weight and have residual areas of fatty tissue not resolved through diet or exercise. Liposuction may be performed in the tummy area, flanks, thighs or arms.

• Rhinoplasty – this is nose surgery sought by men and women for either aesthetic or structural repair reasons. Balancing the size and shape of the nose to the face is the common motivation to pursue Rhinoplasty.

• Otoplasty – ear surgery for either men or women, primarily addressing the size, shape and prominence of the ears in proportion to the head.

• Labiaplasty – also known as Labioplasty. This is a surgical procedure to reduce the size and enhance the shape and appearance of the labia.

There are also a range of non-surgical procedures to rejuvenate and freshen the appearance of the face. These include use of anti-wrinkle injections, such as Botox® or dermal fillers, such as Juvederm®.

Whether through pursuing Cosmetic Surgery or non-surgical Cosmetic procedures, there are many ways to rejuvenate and refresh your appearance. Your certified Cosmetic Surgeon will provide you with more information in a consultation.