Breast Cosmetic Surgery
Breast Enlargement Surgery
Breast Augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts. It is very popular and extremely effective. Every woman deserves to feel good about herself and breast enlargement can be an amazingly positive procedure.
Modern breast augmentation is about state of the art breast implants and latest developments in surgical technique that minimise hospitalisation and postoperative recovery. Two basic types of implant are available in Australia today: saline filled and cohesive gel filled implants. Both implants are available in the traditional round shape or anatomical (tear drop) shape.
Saline implants are very safe and well tolerated. A few disadvantages have made them less popular than the new cohesive gel implants. They tend to be ‘under-filled’ in their upper aspect which makes them more prone to implant ‘rippling’. This may be felt under the breast tissue. Furthermore, deflation of the saline breast implant can infrequently occur, requiring removal and replacement of the implant.
Cohesive gel breast implants have become very popular and give excellent aesthetic results. They have a tendency to look and feel more natural than the saline implants. These implants consist of a firmer type of silicone gel that resembles ‘Turkish Delight’ in consistency. The earlier silicone gel implants were ‘runny’ in consistency which created problems if the implant leaked. The cohesive gel implant has an almost zero incidence of leakage problems.
Breast augmentation is a day surgery procedure under general anaesthetic. Incisions are made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible, usually in the breast crease. Breast tissue and skin is lifted to create a pocket for each implant. The breast implant may be inserted directly under breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle in patients with insufficient breast tissue.
After surgery, breasts appear fuller and more natural in tone and contour. There will be some swelling and bruising that gradually disappears with time.
After surgery, you will feel moderate to significant discomfort for several days. Your breasts may remain swollen and sensitive to physical contact for several weeks. You may also experience a feeling of tightness in the breast area as your skin adjusts to your new breast size. Implants placed under the pectoral muscle cause more discomfort in the short term and take longer to settle down. However, the results in the longer term are worthwhile. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least one month.
Any surgery involves risks, like the effects of anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, pain and delayed healing. There are also potential complications specific to breast implants, these include:
Deflation of the implant, contractures of the scar tissue capsule, calcium deposits in the capsule, changes in nipple and breast sensation & shifting of the implants. Separate concerns have been raised about the unknown risk of breast implants and cancer. There is no specific evidence that women with silicone breast implants are more susceptible to cancer than other women.
Breast augmentation should only be performed by an experienced breast surgeon. Dr Peter Wickham MBBS FRACS IS a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons who has had many years of experience in cosmetic breast surgery and is highly regarded as one of the experts in his field.
Breast enlargement surgery can make a significant impact on your confidence and self esteem!
See for yourself: Breast enlargements performed by Dr Peter Wickham MBBS
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Breast Mastopexy is the name given to the surgical procedure for correction of breast position and firmness without an increase or reduction in size.
Breast sagging occurs at varying degrees after one or more pregnancies. Changes in body weight over a period of time will also affect the look of your breasts. These changes are normally noted between the ages from late 20'sto the mid 40's. Actual breast volume many not vary but firmness is lost.
There are a number of techniques that can be used to achieve this correction. One procedure involves an incision made around the nipple and vertically down to the breast fold. The nipple is elevated staying attached to the breast tissue and the skin envelope is moved around the nipple so it sits higher on the breast mound. Post-operative scars are similar to those experienced with breast reduction surgery e.g. Inverted T Incision. The Benelli procedure is an alternative ‘lifiting’ procedure which limits the incision and subsequent scarring to around the nipple. This is suitable for ladies who require a minimal lift. A breast implant can be inserted at the same time if more fullness is required. At your consultation the surgeon will assess your breasts to recommend the best approach to suit your shape and the degree of correction.
The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and can be done as a day surgery procedure but you may choose to have an overnight stay in hospital.
The procedure can take up to 3 hours to perform.
You will experience discomfort but pain relievers and sedatives can be prescribed. There will be dressings covering the incisions and you will have a number of visits to the clinic for post-operative checks and reapplication of the dressings as well as removal of stitches over the next week or two. You will be required to wear a support bra after your surgery.
All surgery comes with some risks and uncertainty, but when performed by an experienced and competent cosmetic surgeon these are minimal. Complications include infection, haematoma formation, poor wound healing and loss of nipple sensation.
Mastopexy performs the same role as a properly fitting brassiere, this one, however, is fashioned by the patient'sown tissues. Under circumstances, this procedure may be combined with a small implant to achieve fullness or firmness when readjustment of normal tissue alone will not be sufficient. As healing takes place and the scars fade you will have more confidence and self esteem due to your improved body image.
Breast mastopexy surgery can make a significant impact on your confidence and self-esteem!
See for yourself: Breast enlargements performed by Dr Peter Wickham MBBS
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast Reduction Mammoplasty is the name given to the surgical procedure used to correct or reduce overly large breasts. Surgical correction of this condition is not new and there are many different techniques that can be used.
Large breasts can be as disturbing for a woman as extremely small breasts. They limit a woman in many ways due to the fact that there is often back and shoulder pain associated with the condition and special supportive undergarments are required to give some comfort. There is often difficulty in finding suitable clothing and participation in various sporting activities is also restricted. Not to mention the ridicule that may have to be endured.
The basic procedure involves reduction in breast volume and restoration of normal contour. This also involves moving the nipple to a new level that is consistent with the remaining breast. The procedure can take up to 3 hours to perform and is done under a general anaesthetic. Incisions are made around the nipple and in the crease under the breast. Because the main purpose is to make your breast look as natural as possible, the scars will be kept as small as possible.
When you recover from the anaesthetic you may note special drainage tubes in each breast, these are to drain blood and fluid away from the area and thus help prevent blood clot formation and excessive tension on wounds. These tubes will be removed when drainage has ceased or is minimal - generally within 24 hours.
You will experience discomfort but pain relievers and sedatives can be prescribed. There will be dressings covering the incisions and you will have a number of visits to the clinic for post-operative checks and re-application of the dressings as well as removal of stitches over the next week or two. You will be required to wear a supportive bra postoperatively.
Healing is a gradual process so give yourself time to recover. You will be restricted as far as movement and activity goes, particularly during the first 4 - 6 weeks after your operation. Anything that causes undue stress and strain on shoulders and across your chest should be avoided.
All surgery comes with some uncertainty and risks, but when performed by a qualifed and experienced cosmetic breast surgeon, these risks are diminished. Complications include infection, blood clot formation in the breast tissue, loss of nipple, reduced nipple sensation and poor wound healing.
As healing takes place and scars fade, your confidence and self esteem will grow. Surgeons generally agree that women who have this surgery are among the most satisfied of all their patients.
Breast reduction surgery should only be performed by an experienced breast surgeon. Dr Peter Wickham MBBS FRACS is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons who has had many years of experience in cosmetic breast surgery and is highly regarded as one of the experts in his field
See for yourself: Breast enlargements performed by Dr Peter Wickham MBBS
