| Breast Augmentation |    |
Breast Augmentation, or Mammaplasty, uses saline or silicone breast implants to increase the size or improve the shape of the breasts.
A Very Personal Decision
Many women consider having breast augmentation surgery. Some have breasts that did not fully develop or developed unevenly.
Some have always felt their breasts were too small, and some have experienced changes in their breast's size and shape after pregnancy or weight change or simply as they have grown older.
Whatever you reasons for considering breast augmentation, it is important to remember that the decision is yours alone. You should never consider having the surgery to please someone else. You should also remember that, like all aesthetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation can only change your figure, not your life.
About The Procedure
Breast augmentation is a well established procedure that has been performed on more than three million women worldwide over the last three decades. The majority of women who have had the procedure report that they are very pleased with the result.
Through the use of breast implants, this surgery can increase the size of your breasts and correct uneven breasts. It may also be used to correct drooping breasts but may require an additional uplift procedure. To learn more, please see the (Mastopexy) section of this web site.
The breast implants used in breast augmentation surgery are filled with either silicone or saline solution. Each type of breast implant has its benefits and drawbacks. Briefly stated, these considerations are:
- Saline implants are as safe as possible and can be inserted such that the scar is minimized. However, should they leak, they need to be replaced. In addition, they may cause a rippling of the skin of the breast, particularly in slim women with little breast tissue.
- Silicone gel-filled breast implants provide a more natural feel to the breast and are less likely to cause rippling. At present, most surgeons use cohesive gel silicone implants, which do not leak if the shell is damaged. Silicone implants however need a slightly longer access incision to place them.
The Consultation: Discussing Your Goals
Successful breast augmentation surgery begins with careful planning to meet your particular goals. There are several decisions to be made. One, the choice between saline and silicone implants is discussed above.
A second, involves the choice between round and anatomical (teardrop-shaped) breast implants. The goal of this decision is to give you the most natural looking breast possible.
Some people feel round implants have a tendency to show an upper edge, creating a "stuck-on" appearance. In some cases this may be a valid concern. However if you have a sufficient amount of breast tissue and seek a moderate amount of augmentation, this should not be a problem.
Patients who are very slim, and have very little breast tissue to cover the implant may be advised to choose the anatomical implant to create a more natural contour.
For patients who seek a very large augmentation, disproportionate to their bodies, neither type of implant will look natural or attractive. In addition, it is very likely that there will be undulation in the skin of the lateral part of the breast, a condition called traction rippling.
You'll also want to discuss the size of your breast implant. This can be a confusing decision as a particular cup size will look quite different of two women of different stature.
One way your surgeon will help you decide is by having you try on various size bras with bra fillers to get a sense of how large an implant would be appropriate.
You can try something similar at home using rice in a stocking as a filler.
Remember you goal is a size that looks both natural and pleasing.
You and your surgeon will also discuss whether your implant should be placed behind your breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle as well, and where your scars will be located.
Finally you'll discuss the risks related to breast augmentation and what you should expect during your recovery.
Breakdown of Surgical Costs
There are several aspects to costings for cosmetic surgery.
1. The surgeons feesThese fees are fixed for each procedure.
2. The anaesthetic feesThese are generally based on an hourly rate.
3. The hospital feesThese vary widely depending on the complexity of the procedure, the length of the procedure and whether a hospital stay is required.
4. The cost of implantsHere are different types of implant, round vs. anatomical, and they too carry differing price tags. We do not mark up the cost of implants.
5. Medicare & Private Health FundsAdditionally, certain procedures attract a Medicare item number. If a Medicare item number is applicable then a health fund will usually contribute towards your fees, depending on your policy and level of cover.
Fees are a complex issue and vary depending on individual circumstances
Please contact my office if you wish to obtain an estimation of fees and my staff will endeavour to give you a fair idea of what costs may be involved. Finalisation of costs of some procedures however may require a consultation, examination and determination of the applicability of a Medicare item number.
Further Reading on Breast Augmentation
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons - www.plasticsurgery.org.au
Mentor Corporation - www.loveyourlook.com
Breast Implant Information Booklet - Click here
International Society of Plastic Surgeons - www.isaps.com
» Post-Op Advice for Breast Augmentation
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Phone: (08) 9381 9300 or email us below.
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