BREAST ENHANCEMENT PROCEDURES
Breast Plastic Surgery
Augmentation
Breast Augmentation is our most popular cosmetic operation making amazing changes to women’s lives. We use only the highest quality implants with the longest safety profile. Our operations are only performed in accredited hospitals using some of Australia’s leading anaesthetic doctors.
WHAT IS THE COST OF BREAST AUGMENTATION?
What is the cost of breast augmentation?
The total costs for breast augmentation is usually between $12000 and $13,000. That cost covers the leading implants on the market, the accredited day hospital fees, one of Australia’s leading anaesthetists, surgical costs and follow up.
We also include a 3D simulation to see the differences between various implants, see cosmeticdesign.com.au This helps us give you the best feel for how you will look after surgery.
Be aware that the cheaper clinics tend to cut costs in various ways. There was an interesting story on 60minutes regarding this. http://youtu.be/6J5jgt07pFo
TEAR DROP OR ROUND IMPLANT?
Tear drop or round implant?
Tear drop (anatomic) implants give more options in terms of their base size than the round implants. However tear drop implants can rotate which can only be corrected at another operation, and it’s surprisingly difficult to pick whether a patient has is round or teardrop shaped implants. Because of the risk of the implant flipping and the fact that it is hard to tell the difference between round and tear drop we generally suggest round implants unless the patient requests tear drops!
UNDER THE MUSCLE OR OVER?
Under the muscle or over?
There are pros and cons to both approaches. I tend to favour under the muscle as the implant is held a little better with more tissue covering it. This gives a more natural look and feel. However it is a little more painful, with a slightly higher chance of bleeding. If you are after a very fake look, this is best achieved by placing the implant on top of the muscle.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE VOLUME?
How to choose the volume?
We help you choose your volume by determining the look you are after first up and measuring your chest to see how much volume is possible for your breast width and breast skin. Based on this assessment we ask you to try various breast implant sizes placed inside a sports bra so you can feel the weight of the extra volume and see the different shape that it creates. Once we have an agreed size, we use a 3D photography machine which enables us to show you a representation of you with your chosen sized implants (cosmeticdesign.com.au).
HOW PAINFUL IS THE SURGERY?
How painful is the surgery?
Intra operatively local anaesthetic is placed into the nerves which supply the breast which allows the surgery to be performed as a day case. Depending on pain tolerance, size of implant and implant position, the first night is generally quite comfortable. Our anaesthetist makes sure you are sent home with the best regime of analgesia to make your evening tolerable.
Ladies are usually back at work 5 to 7 days following surgery, although this is quite variable between patients.
I recommend a snug surgical bra to be worn for 6 weeks following the augmentation and no jogging for that first 6 weeks.
DO I NEED A LIFT COMBINED WITH AN AUGMENT?
Do I need a lift combined with an augment?
Performing a lift with an augment is occasionally required for very droopy breasts. When the nipples are the lowest part of the breast, a lift is generally unavoidable.
Even with less droopy breasts however a lift may be required, depending on how large you are prepared to go. If you have moderately ptotic/saggy breasts but only want a small augment, you may need a lift.
If significant skin excision is required it is far safer and reliable to break the operation into two, performing the lift first and the augment second.
Lift/Mastopexy
Breast lifts are a procedure which repositions the nipple higher up the breast and removes the excess skin. The aim is to preserve as much breast tissue as possible and only dispense with the droopy skin.
WILL PRIVATE INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS?
Will private insurance cover the costs?
Part of the operation cost is covered by private health funds if your nipples are the lowest part of your breast and you have breast fed more than 1 year ago but less than 7 years ago. This is a very uncommon breast shape which means most breast lifts are not covered by private insurance.
WHAT INCISIONS ARE USED?
What incisions are used?
The types of incisions and therefore scars vary depending on how much skin needs to be removed. The most common incision is one around the areolar with a vertical line down to the breast fold and then a smaller horizontal line along the breast fold. For smaller reductions some ladies are able to get away with just an incision around the areolar.
DO I NEED A LIFT COMBINED WITH AN AUGMENT?
Do I need a lift combined with an augment?
If you don’t want any extra volume then you don’t need a breast augment and you can simply have a lift. If you would like volume in the upper pole then a lift can achieve this for a short time but an implant will maintain volume in this area for longer.
Reduction
Breast reduction is an amazing operation for women with breasts so large they are getting back and neck pain or rashes under the breasts. The relief patients feel after the removal of those kilos of extra tissue often has them asking why it took them so long to have the surgery.
WHAT INCISIONS ARE USED?
What incisions are used?
The types of incisions and therefore scars vary depending on how much breast tissue and skin needs to be removed. The most common incision is one around the areolar with a vertical line down to the breast fold and then a smaller horizontal line along the breast fold, like for a breast lift. For larger reductions the horizontal incision is longer to allow removal of the extra skin and breast tissue.
WILL PRIVATE INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS?
Will private insurance cover the costs?
Part of the operation cost is covered by most private health funds.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME FOLLOWING SURGERY?
What is the recovery time?
Most women are back at work within 2 weeks of surgery. There is a natural variation however, with some returning much earlier and some a little later.
For information on our other procedures including Body, Face & Neck procedures, click here.
Remember that all surgical procedures carry risks and complications. It is vital you fully understand these before committing to an operation. Make sure you are completely happy with your consultation, and if not, always seek a second opinion from a plastic surgeon