There are many reasons why you might be considering to undergo the surgical enlargement of your breasts. You may feel that your breast size is too small due to:
Breast implant surgery can provide a very satisfying and confidence boosting result – but it is extremely important that you are not rushed into this decision making process. You want to ensure that the decision to proceed is for you – and you only – not for the sake of anyone else. After all, it is a cosmetic procedure where your choice to proceed is not made out of necessity for maintenance of your health.
Moreover, you’ll need to consider that any weight gain, weight loss, or hormonal fluctuations that you may experience will also continue to affect the overlying breast tissue. It is an operation that cannot be undone. It is a decision that you will live with for a lifetime and likely have to revisit, as most patients will require revision surgery at some point in their lives to their implants – to change the size, the position, or to rectify problems.
The most common implants used in Australia are either silicone gel or saline implants. Silicone implants are our preferred choice in cosmetic augmentation. A saline implant “tissue expander” is sometimes necessary if you are undergoing reconstructive work post treatment of breast cancer (eg. after mastectomy) – see the Breast Reconstruction page for more information about this.
Smooth implants are predominantly used in our practice (the alternative being textured implants). There are reasons as to why one may be a better choice for you than the other, and this will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Breast implants are manufactured under world wide strict quality controls to reduce the risks of rupture, leakage, capsular contracture and other problems. However, no one can guarantee that the use of any implant device will not cause side effects. It is possible that you may have many years of trouble free implants, but it is also not uncommon for women to require revision surgery and implant exchange at the 7 to 10 year mark (if your medical and surgical history remains uncomplicated).
Surgery usually takes between one to two hours. Because we are changing your breast volume without changing the breast envelope, your breast shape will most likely change after your surgery – as a result most patients will find they have a more desirable – “fuller” look afterwards. You will be treated in a fully equipped private hospital under a general anaesthesia.
The incision chosen will depend on your personal anatomy, needs and preferences:
The position of your implants will be behind the breast, either:
Each position has its advantages and disadvantages, and will be tailored to your needs, requirements and your body.
Both the procedure and recovery time will depend on the condition being treated, the area being operated on and the complexity of the surgery being performed. Your recovery time will also depend on your job/home situation. You will be adequately prepared during your consultation by your plastic surgeon, so that you’re clear on what’s involved and what your recovery is likely to be like. Completely tailored to your surgery and needs.
We will address your complete medical history during your initial consultation to ensure the best possible treatment plan. Blood thinners may require cessation pre-operatively - we will advise you according to your individual needs. It is also important for you to fully disclose to us all other regular medications (eg. diabetic medications, blood pressure medications and asthmatic inhalers) as they may interfere with your surgical journey and/or recovery.
You will require at least a mammogram or ultrasound of your breasts to ensure all is well prior to proceeding. Smoking also greatly increases surgical/anaesthetic risks and complicates recovery - cessation of smoking at least six weeks prior and after surgery is highly recommended, although it is best to quit altogether.
You may need to stay overnight for observations to ensure you are comfortable prior to discharge the next day. It is typical for you to require simple pain relief (eg. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) for two or three days initially, as some discomfort and pain are normal.
We recommend that you do not drive for one week after your operation. If you feel comfortable, you may return to work (non-manual labour duties) at the 1-2 week mark, with return to heavy and sporting activities at the 6 week mark. A post-operative no-underwire bra is mandatory for extra support for 6 weeks after this operation. This will be provided to you by our practice during your inpatient stay.
General complications follow those as with any surgical or invasive procedure that carries risk, but include:
Specific risks and complications:
Rarely, breast implants have been associated with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare type of lymphoma. However, implants are still considered safe devices. More information can be found on the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeon’s BIA-ALCL page for more information about this.
Book a consultation to discuss the outcome you’re hoping for or to get a second opinion from a qualified plastic surgeon.
I understand that choosing your plastic surgeon is a major decision. Which, is why I spend a great deal of effort to ensure that you’re provided with the most well-rounded treatment option to give you the best possible chance of the outcomes that you’re hoping for.
Public hospital appointments for public patients at Northern Health and Eastern Health.
Copyright © 2021 Marion Chan. All rights reserved
The information on this page and website (marionchan.com.au) is intended to provide you with a degree of general information about some common procedures. It is not made to act as a substitution for advice from your plastic surgeon and does not contain every single known fact about the procedure or every possible side effect of surgery. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. If you are unsure about the benefits, risks and limitations of your management, or anything else, please contact us for direct clarification.
