Breast Augmentation Sydney

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation uses implants to change the size, shape and fullness of the breasts. It is performed in cosmetic contexts, for volume that has never developed or that has reduced after breastfeeding, weight change or ageing, and in reconstructive contexts, most often to rebuild breast shape after mastectomy.

The decisions that shape the result go well beyond size. Implant volume, profile and shape, whether the implant sits in front of or partly behind the pectoral muscle, and where the incision is placed all affect how the breast looks and feels, and each carries trade-offs.

Dr Maryam Seyedabadi, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, MBBS FRACS, is a female surgeon consulting at 2c Heeley Street, Paddington, in Sydney. During your consultations she works through the options and their limitations so your decision is an informed one.

Who it may suit

• Breasts that are smaller than you would like, or volume that has never developed
• Loss of volume, particularly upper pole fullness, after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight change
• A noticeable difference in size or shape between the two breasts
• Reconstruction after mastectomy, either alone or combined with other techniques
• People prepared to accept ongoing monitoring and the likelihood of further surgery in future

What breast augmentation involves

Surgery is performed in hospital under a general anaesthetic, as day surgery or with an overnight stay.

1. Measurements and sizing at consultation establish the range of implant volumes and profiles that suit your chest width, tissue thickness and existing breast.
2. An incision is made, most often in the fold beneath the breast, and a pocket is created either under the breast tissue or partly beneath the pectoral muscle.
3. The implant is placed and position and symmetry are checked, with you sitting upright on the operating table where possible.
4. Incisions are closed in layers and a supportive bra or dressing is applied. Where there is significant sag, a lift may be needed as well as, or instead of, an implant.

Recovery

Expect soreness and tightness across the chest for the first week or so, more so with implants placed under the muscle. The following are general timeframes.

• A supportive bra is typically worn day and night for several weeks.
• Lifting, overhead reaching and driving are restricted early, often for one to two weeks.
• Desk work is commonly resumed in one to two weeks, while upper body training waits considerably longer, often six weeks.
• Oedema subsides over weeks and implants usually settle into position over about three months, with scars changing in colour and texture for a year or more.

Risks and considerations

Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and further surgery may be needed over time to replace, reposition or remove them, with its own costs and risks. Implant-related risks include capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant and the breast becomes firm, distorted or painful; implant rupture or leakage; changes in nipple or skin sensation, which may be temporary or permanent; rippling, visible implant edges, malposition, rotation or asymmetry; and, rarely, breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, written as BIA-ALCL, a cancer of the immune system reported in the capsule around implants. Persistent swelling, fluid or a lump in a breast with implants should be assessed promptly.

General surgical risks include bleeding, haematoma, infection that can require implant removal, delayed wound healing, unfavourable scarring, and clots in the legs or lungs. Implants can make some breast imaging harder to interpret, so mention them when booking a mammogram and continue screening as advised. Breastfeeding after augmentation is often possible but cannot be assumed, and breasts continue to change with pregnancy, weight and ageing after surgery.

Your consultation with Dr Maryam

A referral from a registered medical practitioner is required before your consultation, with a GP referral preferred. Dr Maryam takes measurements and photographs, examines your chest and breast tissue, and explains which implants suit your anatomy and what a given option will not achieve. You are given written information about the specific implant proposed, including its manufacturer and identification details, for your own records.

A cooling-off period of at least seven days applies between consent and cosmetic surgery, and at least three months for patients under 18, who also need assessment by an appropriate registered health practitioner. Fees are quoted after consultation. Cosmetic augmentation does not attract a Medicare item number, while reconstruction after mastectomy may. Dr Maryam operates at St Luke’s Hospital in Potts Point, East Sydney Private Hospital and Double Bay Day Hospital. Call 1300 067 668 to arrange a consultation.