Finally making the decision to have a breast augmentation always takes a while. You might know friends or family who have had the procedure and have finally decided that now is the time for you. The common thread for all women who have this procedure is that they want to achieve a better balance between their bust and the rest of their figure.
Technology has come a long way since patients had to endure small bags of rice as a method of determining breast implant size and breast sizing. The latest and most advanced system for planning your breast augmentation is the Vectra XT. This is a high-tech imaging device that instantly images you in 3D. By performing this kind of simulation in your initial consultation we can accurately see what you will look like with different shapes and sizes of implants. The whole process takes about 10 seconds and has revolutionised plastic surgery and breast augmentation surgery. When combined with conventional measurements and a sizing bra you can see how a breast augmentation can give you the look you desire in a real and virtual way at the same time.
Helping you achieve the look you want is a great starting point. Everyone is different and you’ll undoubtedly want something that fits with your figure and frame but also make sure that it works with your lifestyle and day-to-day life. An example of some common goals women might request include the following:
I am often asked how painful is Breast Augmentation. Watch me answer this and more in my video below:
Non-textured cohesive silicone implants. Many years ago, I was one of the first Australian plastic surgeons to use Motiva implants and move away from Allergan and Mentor microtextured silicone gel implants.
Considering the recent news regarding ALCL and textured implants, this decision has been a positive one for my patients. The newer implants from Motiva are softer, ripple less, and do not have any issues with possible rotation.
They are technically categorised into a smooth category; so the risk of developing lymphoma is theoretically zero compared to the older textured implants.
I have a huge experience with Mentor anatomical implants and will still use them for a few indications. Although anatomical implants are fantastic (and have not been recalled) they are not without their drawbacks. The implants can rotate on the chest wall, they can also ripple when you are thin, and they have the lowest risk of all the microtextured implants available of 1/80000. Studies have repeatedly shown that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between round and anatomical implants that are less than 350cc in size- which accounts for most implants used today.
For that reason, I will mostly use a Motiva round implant that has specific gel characteristics that make it mimic an anatomical implant whilst also giving more upper pole fullness and a softer feel.
Most patients will have the implant placed behind the muscle in what is called a customized dual-plane position. This means that the top of the implant is overlapped by the pectoralis muscle to help with coverage in a thin patient. This is not always the case, and in patients that have good breast coverage or are bodybuilders, the implant will be placed above the muscle (but behind the breast). Both approaches work well and the decision regarding what is best for you will be determined after your examination with Dr Phoon.
Hybrid breast augmentation refers to the use of the latest-generation breast implant in addition to some fat grafting to finesse the final result. You can think of it as the ultimate two-for-one surgical procedure as you can have liposuction to a stubborn area and use that fat to pad or soften areas of the breast you may be deficient in. Common areas where this is helpful are the cleavage areas and under the breast, if you have a tuberous variation. You can expect 2/3 of the fat to remain in the long term!
Every breast augmentation has specific internal sutures that help to support the breast and implant over time. That does not mean that you never need to wear a bra again, however! Technically speaking, there is only one actual internal bra solution using a titanium-impregnated mesh material, but it is only used in the very rarest of scenarios.
The scar can be anywhere between 3-5cm long and hidden in the crease under your breast. The incision is placed here for several important reasons. Firstly, the best scars are always placed increases- and the crease under your breast is one of the best ones. Secondly, we minimise long-term scarring around the implant when we avoid areas that have bacterial contamination such as the nipple and the armpit. Look at the gallery and you will find it almost impossible to see any of our scars.
I have extensive experience in breast reconstruction for various conditions such as:
When the appearance of your breasts affects you; you may wish to do something about it. Why? The reasons may range from self- all the way to practical concerns of being able to buy bras without difficulty. The first question that needs to be answered is this: What is the goal? Once we establish this, then it is a carefully planned process using surgical techniques that we work through together to achieve your goals.
Designed with patient safety as the top priority, Motiva implants not only look good but also feel .
With Ergonomix® Implants, you get the look, feel, and movement of a breast. It maintains its softness over time and has proven its efficacy after years in the market.
Motiva Round implants were designed to give a round appearance, providing the highest projection and a complete filling of the upper pole of the breast.
Recovery post-operatively can be thought of in two ways. Your aesthetic recovery can be seen no earlier than around 6 weeks for most patients but the final result where the breast is fully relaxed around the implant can take around 6 months. Your functional recovery is the hardest in the first week after surgery. You’ll feel tight and there will be swelling and bruising. You’ll be wearing a surgical bra for a total of 6 weeks to support your breasts. Most people will try to take a week off work and then go back to work after that. Of course, meticulous dissection, pocket creation, and a bloodless surgical field help you to return to activity faster and minimise the risks of capsular contracture. Drains are no longer used for primary breast augmentation. The whole procedure takes under one hour and there are dissolvable sutures and a waterproof dressing used that does not need to be changed for 10 days. You can shower anytime after surgery. The post-surgical bra is included in your surgical fee and needs to be worn for 6 weeks after surgery to allow the implant to heal in the correct location. Most patients can return to work in under a week and also drive at that point. We advise patients not to go to the gym for upper bodywork for a full 6 weeks, but stationary bike or walking is okay.
The cost of breast implants surgery or Breast Augmentation is approximately $12,000 and is inclusive of:
Breast augmentation is a lifetime commitment. It is important that you are making the right choice for yourself and understand all the implications of the surgery you are considering. Some women may need revision surgery later on down the track and need to be prepared emotionally and financially for this. Breast augmentation isn’t an urgent procedure. If you are or you are put under pressure to proceed with surgery right away you should walk away
and look elsewhere.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants have undergone changes over time to meet increasingly sophisticated consumer expectations. The first silicone breast implants used thick shells and contained firm gel. The second generation of implants (introduced in the late 1970’s) had thinner shells and used less firm gel to address the concerns of patients and surgeons who believed that implants were too firm, palpable, and visible.
In the mid-1980s, concerns related to rupture rates of the second generation of thinner-shelled implants led manufacturers to introduce the third generation of implants. The shell and gel of these implants are slightly thicker but still soft.
Today these third-generation silicone gel-filled breast implants are typically referred to as cohesive gel implants. Mentor’s products have kept pace with the ever-evolving expectations of surgeons and women who desire a safe, soft gel to retain the feel that resembles actual breast tissues.
The amount of silicone released from implants is extremely minimal. Less than that is absorbed from daily consumer products containing silicone. For example, silicone can be found in many common household items, such as polishes, suntan and hand lotion, antiperspirants, soaps, processed foods, and chewing gum.
You should be close to your ideal weight. A significant loss of weight after receiving breast implants could alter the results in a look that is not satisfactory to you. There could be some ptosis (drooping) and a reduction in size. A significant gain in weight could cause an increase in breast size.
Like any other surgical procedure, breast augmentation is a medical undertaking. The surgery is completed under administered general anesthetic, so you won’t feel anything during surgery. Patients may experience some discomfort during the first five days of recovery. You will be discharged from hospital with the appropriate pain management medication. If you are concerned about any form of pain that might be associated with your potential procedure, it is best to raise these concerns with your surgeon during the consultation period.
Feeling in the nipple and breast can increase or decrease after implant surgery. The range of changes varies from intense sensitivity to no feeling in the nipple or breast following surgery.
Many women with breast implants successfully breastfeed their babies. Some breastfeeding difficulties have been reported following breast surgery particularly when a surgeon uses a periareolar (around the nipple) incision. It is important that you let your surgeon know if you are planning or considering getting pregnant after your surgery.
The scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around the implant may tighten and squeeze the implant and is called capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is more common following infection, hematoma, and seroma. It is also more common with sub-glandular placement. Symptoms range from firmness and mild discomfort, to pain, distortion, palpability of the implant, and/ or displacement of the implant. Additional surgery is needed in cases where pain and/or firmness is severe. This surgery ranges from removal of the implant capsule tissue to removal and possibly replacement of the implant itself.
Choosing an implant size is an important personal decision that you will make in your consultation with a surgeon. Your surgeon will help to guide you through the process of deciding which size will be best to achieve the look you desire, as well as which size will best suit your body.
Choosing the right size breast implant is one of the most important decisions in the breast augmentation process. Your surgeon will discuss several approaches to help you make the best decision based on your anatomy and the aesthetic appearance you wish to achieve.
Breast augmentation should be in proportion to the woman’s overall body shape. An implant too large for a small frame is usually an obvious giveaway that a patient has undergone a breast augmentation procedure.
Your breast augmentation surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, in a hospital operating room. The surgery will always be performed under full general anesthetic.
You will probably feel tired and sore for several days after the breast augmentation surgery, so rest is essential. It’s normal to experience a feeling of tightness in the breast area as your skin adjusts to your new breast size and your breast implants. You may also notice diminished feeling in your breasts and nipples during immediate recovery.
Your surgeon will ask you to wear a postoperative bra and/or compression bandage for extra support and positioning while you heal. Most patients are able to return to work after one week. It’s best to avoid any strenuous activities that could raise your pulse and blood pressure, or which require strenuous use of your arms and chest.
Your surgeon will be able to provide you with more specific details about the recovery process.
Many people are under the mistaken impression that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. This is simply not true. If you are not having any problems with your implants, there is no need to replace them. One of the most common reasons implants are replaced is when a woman wants to change her breast size.
• Breast Mastopexy and Augmentation – Mastopexy Augmentation
Sometimes breast augmentation on its own isn’t the right procedure for every woman. A common procedure for patients who have had children, breastfed or lost a significant amount of weight is a Breast Mastopexy and Augmentation.
• Breast Mastopexy – Mastopexy
Women who have adequate breast tissue but feel their breasts may have dropped or sagged due to weight loss or pregnancy may also consider a Mastopexy or Breast Mastopexy. A Breast Mastopexy may help volume, shape, and height.
• Breast Reduction
A breast reduction will help to reduce the size, shape and weight of women’s breasts. Breast reduction surgery is particularly helpful for women that suffer from back pain, soreness from bra straps, poor posture and overall discomfort. This type of procedure can be in terms of lifestyle.
• Breast Revision
Some women may need to have their implants replaced at some point in their lives. This can be for a various number of reasons such as:
− Exchanging breast implants for a different size
− Exchanging breast implants for a different shape
− Correcting asymmetry, contractures or distortions
− Dissatisfied with the outcome from a previous breast augmentation
• Nipple and Areola Correction
The nipple and areola, like the breast, comes in varying shapes and sizes. It may be asymmetrical, flattened, inverted, or enlarged. Surgical procedures can easily correct these issues and create the contour and shape that matches our breasts. Cosmetic tattooing may also be used.
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Choosing the right procedure and surgeon is important. I believe that helping my clients make informed decisions is key to a great result so if you have a question or would like to know more about something specific, please let me know – Regards, Alex.
