Breast Augmentation / Breast Implants in Sydney

Breast Augmentation Information

What is Breast Augmentation Mammaplasty?

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Breast augmentation mammaplasty (breast implants) or breast enhancement is an aesthetic (cosmetic) surgical procedure to increase the size and enhance the shape of the breasts. Breast implants will also correct slight sagging of the breast and can increase breast firmness. A similar procedure can be used to recreate a breast after mastectomy.

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Breast augmentation or breast implants has undergone significant refinement and improvement in recent years. Improved Implants and refined techniques have resulted in a more reliable and aesthetically ideal breast augmentation results as well as smoother surgical course, lower incidence of complications, shorter hospital stay and early return to normal work and activity.

Breast implants are a very popular an increasingly common procedure. Every woman deserves to feel good about themselves and breast enhancement can be an amazingly positive and often life transforming procedure.

Three groups of women seek breast implants. Firstly women who never developed a normal sized breast, the developmentally underdeveloped breast group. Secondly, perhaps the largest group, comprises women who have found that following pregnancy and breast feeding they have been left with a loose, under filled or deflated breast. Thirdly there exists a group of women who just want to be bigger.

Modern Breast Augmentation is about state of the art breast prostheses and latest developments of implant insertion to minimise hospitalisation and post operative recovery. Breast augmentation is also about choices - choices of implant and choice of approach to implant insertion.

Two basic types of implant are available in Australia today. The old oily Silicone gel implant that had a runny consistency and was associated with excess scarring of the breast is no longer available for use in Australia. The available implants today are saline filled and cohesive gel filled implants. Both implants are available in anatomical (tear drop shaped) or rounded implants.

Saline implants are very safe and well tolerated. Deflation is, however, a potential problem with the saline filled implant and if this occurs, removal and replacement of the implant may be necessary. Saline implants may also tend to be relatively under filled in their upper part and be subject to a rippling effect at their upper aspect. Insertion of saline implants can be done via a smaller incision (or cut) than with other implants.

Cohesive Gel implants consist of a firmer type of silicone gel that resembles Turkish delight in consistency. Because this gel is not “runny” or liquid in property, its use in breast implants has essentially solved the leakage problems associated with breast implants. Cohesive gel implants are also available in anatomical (tear drop) or rounded shape. Cohesive gel implants give excellent aesthetic results and are the most popular implants used in Australia and around the world.

Anatomical (tear drop) shaped implants offer the smaller breasted woman very natural breast shape. These implants maintain their shape in the standing or vertical position and so give excellent upper breast pole fullness. Newer refined anatomical shapes are now available with high (thicker) and low profile, narrow and wide base types. These can be tailored to the individual shape of the patient undergoing augmentation to further improve results. During consultation Dr Drielsma helps you decide which implant is best for you. It is helpful to examine and feel the various implants available before deciding on which type you would prefer.

Breast implants can be inserted via various approaches. The infra-mammary (under the breast) approach is the most common and popular and allows the surgeon maximal control of placement of the implant. Other approaches include circumareolar (via the nipple) and axillary (via the armpit). These approaches can prove more difficult with less control though they are still used in suitable situations. Trans- abdominal (via the belly button) is both difficult, associated with higher complications and leads to inferior results. Most qualified surgeons would either not offer this approach or strongly discourage it.

Modern breast implants are usually placed under the breast tissue and on top or outside the muscle of the chest. Some patients are unsuitable for this placement if they lack sufficient breast and skin fat to adequately cover an implant and will need their implants placed sub pectoral or under the muscle.

Breast augmentation today is a relatively straight forward procedure, done on a day surgery basis meaning you don’t need to be admitted overnight in a hospital. The surgery can be done either under “twilight sedation” or general anaesthetic. It takes around an hour and a half of surgery. There are no stitches to be removed, no need for drains, taping or bandaging after the operation and you can go home on the same day in a crop top or sports-bra. Some discomfort lasts 2 to 4 days but can be controlled with simple pain tablets. In general return to work can occur well within one week.

Results are very reliable and satisfying. The experience of Breast augmentation proves a very positive one in almost all women, increasing self esteem and confidence.

In terms of timing with children, many patients undergo augmentation quite early in life, not knowing when or if they will ever have children. Breast feeding is usually no problem with implants. Breasts will undergo changes of pregnancy and breast feeding and it is possible that following having your family, some surgical revision to your breasts may be desirable, whether or not you have had implants earlier in life. In general, most women are after a change at this point in their life and proceed with breast augmentation, being aware that if they have children later in life, some form of revisional surgery may be sought in a small percentage of cases.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to stay in hospital?
What about Complications?
Breast Screening
How important are psychological factors in relation to this procedure?

Do I need to stay in hospital?

The surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure can be done with local anaesthetic and sedation or under general anaesthesia. The operation usually takes about 2 hours. There is no need for taping after the procedure and dissolving sutures are used so none need to be removed afterwards. Generally you will be able to go home 2 hours after surgery.

Some discomfort may arise from the stretching of the breast tissues, but it largely resolves within two to three days and is well-controlled with simple oral medication such as Panadeine. Showering is allowable 48 hours postoperatively.

Patients generally return to work within one week, but should avoid exertional activities over the 6 to 8 weeks required for bruising and swelling to resolve.

What about Complications?

 Breast augmentation is an open surgical procedure that is associated with a low incidence of complications. At your consultation these will be discussed with you and you will be able to ask any questions you have about them.

Post-operative complications include blood accumulation or infection adjacent to the implant. Both problems occur infrequently, but can necessitate a second operation or temporary removal of the implant. Because implants are a medical device, they can fail at any point after implantation. This is uncommon, but may require implant replacement surgery.

Some patients develop a firm layer of scar tissue around their implants which can make the breast hard to the touch or painful. Called "capsular contracture," this can cause the breast contour to be asymmetrical and may require secondary procedures for improvement. Nipple sensation can be increased or decreased by the procedure though most women will experience some decrease in sensation around the nipple and outer breast which will be more noticeable in the few months following surgery but will improve with time. Most patients are able to breast-feed following augmentation.

The scar following breast augmentation is 6 cm long and sits under the breast in its crease. The scar will be reddened and more noticeable for 6 months or so but can be expected to fade dramatically over 12 to 18 months.

Breast Screening

 Breast cause very little interference with the ability of mammography to detect early breast cancers. This is an important consideration that patients should discuss with a physician, particularly patients with a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer. All augmented patients need to inform their radiologists of their implants so the screening technique can be favourably modified.

Despite these limitations, approximately two million women are estimated to have undergone breast enlargement surgery. The overwhelming majority are satisfied with the results.

How important are psychological factors in relation to this procedure?

 Emotional stability is the primary factor to be considered before any aesthetic surgery is performed. A "new body" does not guarantee a new life or solution to personal problems. It is mostly the mental attitude of the individual that determines a successful outcome. Breast augmentation can improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence. It is a procedure you do for yourself, not for anybody else.

General Information  Should there be any questions regarding breast augmentation, be sure to get them answered in advance by Dr Drielsma. Well meaning friends are not a good source of information. Find out everything before proceeding with the operation - a well informed patient is a happy one.

Finally, remember the realistic aim of this operation is improvement, not perfection.

Beware of the pitfalls of shopping around for the cheapest costs for thisoperation as this often leads to disappointment with results. Often “packages “ that appear attractive use cheaper inferior implants and may involve unqualified or inexperienced operators.

Please note: The above information does not necessarily cover all of the benefits and complications of a breast augmentation. This information should not be regarded as a substitute for information and advice provided by Dr Drielsma during consultation.