Breast Implants WA

Breast implant surgery (or breast augmentation), involves using breast implants to fulfil your desire for fuller breasts.

For many women, deciding what breast size they want is the most difficult part about choosing breast implants. Careful consideration must also be given to implant shapes, surfaces, fillings and placement. That’s why it’s important to choose a Plastic Surgeon that is not only experienced but is trained in the latest surgical techniques.

If you’re considering breast implants, the information below will give you a good understanding of the procedures we follow at the Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre – when it can help you, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. We probably won’t be able to answer all of your questions since a lot will depend on your individual circumstances. If there is anything you don’t understand or if you would like more information please discuss this with your Plastic Surgeon or feel free to contact us via the enquiry form or on (08) 9380 0333.

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A very personal decision

Breast implant surgery is a personal decision and your reasons will be based on your own needs, desires and expectations. For most women it takes many months of research and consultation with their surgeon before they make a final decision. We fully support you taking the time you need to give this procedure careful consideration. In fact we ensure that all of our patients have taken the necessary steps to understand the procedure and they are of sound mind and body to go ahead.

There are many reasons why you might choose to have breast implants. Some of these include:

• Enlarging your breasts to make your body more proportional
• Enlarging or uplifting your breasts after losing shape or size from breastfeeding
• Restoring the asymmetry of your breasts if they differ in shape or size
• Reconstructing one or both breasts after a mastectomy

Whatever your personal reasons for breast implants, it’s important to remember that they are yours alone and you should never rush your decision. Only proceed with the surgery when you are satisfied with the information you have received from your surgeon and you believe you are well informed. Importantly, you should never consider breast implant surgery to please someone else, even if it seems like a good idea at the time.

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Breast Enhancement WA

Choosing the right surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon to perform your breast implant surgery is possibly the single biggest decision you will make. Generally speaking, a surgeon is only as good as the training and experience they have had. That’s why it’s important to fully understand the qualifications, training and experience of the Plastic Surgeon who will be performing your breast augmentation.

The Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre is the second largest private practice in Australia. All of our Plastic Surgeons are members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as being Fellows of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. This means they are skilled Plastic Surgeons and have undergone intensive training to perform invasive procedures. They have undertaken a minimum of 12 years education and training and at least 7 years of training after the completion of medical school. Doctors with only a MBBS or MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree are not trained procedural surgeons. Additional training and qualifications such as a FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons) are required to optimally perform invasive surgical procedures. In Australia doctors with a basic medical degree (MBBS or MBChB) can perform cosmetic surgery even though they have considerably less training than a qualified surgeon. That’s why it is important that you choose your surgeon carefully and understand their qualifications, experience and ongoing training.

As well as being a private practice, all of our surgeons work within the public sector, performing reconstructive surgery and some specialising in microsurgery. This experience combined with the international training that many have had, means they are some of the most skilled and qualified surgeons in Australia today.

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Important choices for breast implants

Breast Implant Size

For many women, choosing the right breast implant size is one of the most difficult decisions. It’s important to remember that your resulting breast size needs to be in proportion with your body as well as your breast anatomy and skin elasticity. Your surgeon will evaluate your existing breast tissue to determine if you have enough tissue to accommodate the desired size of breast implant.

If your chosen breast implant size is too large for your tissue, the breast implant's edges may be visible through your skin after your operation or the implant may be more easily felt. Also, breast implants that are excessive in size may increase the effects of gravity on your body, which may cause your breasts to prematurely droop or sag.

Types of Breast Implants

There are two basic types of breast implants: gel-filled breast implants and saline-filled breast implants.

Saline breast implants are filled with a saltwater solution during surgery that is similar to the fluid that makes up most of the human body. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline breast implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.

Silicone breast implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. If you choose these implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.

Breast Implant Shape

When choosing breast implants, shape is an important consideration. The two basic breast implant shapes are round and teardrop.

The round breast implant is probably the most common type used for breast implant surgery. Many women choose round implants because they tend to provide the greatest amount of lift, fullness, and cleavage. Some women, however, feel that the results produced with round implants appear artificial, so they seek out more natural-looking alternatives.

A teardrop breast implant, also known as a contoured breast implant, allows the breasts to attain a more gently sloping contour. Although the upper poles of breasts that have teardrop implants are not as full as those of breasts that have round implants, teardrop-shaped implants often provide greater projection by volume. For women who want more naturally shaped teardrop breasts, these implants may be the ideal choice.

Breast Implant Surfaces

Breast implants come with either a smooth or a textures surface. Smooth-surfaces implants have a slightly softer shell and are less likely to be felt through the skin.

Breast Implant Procedure

All of the surgeons at The Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre are up to date with the latest techniques in breast implant surgery and they operate in state of the art hospitals across Perth and rural areas of Western Australia.

Your surgeon may perform the breast augmentation as a Day case in a Day Procedure Centre or alternatively with a short hospital stay.

The surgery usually lasts one to two hours and involves the following procedural steps.

Step 1 - Anaesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during breast augmentation surgery. General anaesthesia is typically used but local anaesthesia is also an option. Your surgeon will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 - The incision
Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimise visible scarring. These are located either under the breast, around the nipple, or in the armpit. Incisions vary based on the type of breast implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference. You and your Plastic Surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome.

Step 3 - Inserting and placing the breast implant
After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:

• Under the pectoral muscle (a sub muscular placement), or
• Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a sub mammary/ sub glandular placement)

The method for inserting and positioning breast implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Step 4 - Closing the incisions
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.

Step 5 - The results The results of breast augmentation surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realise the fulfilment of your goal for fuller breasts.

The initial consultation – what to expect

In any cosmetic surgery a comprehensive, informative and understandable consultation is crucial. Unlike many practices in Australia, all of our consultations are conducted by Plastic Surgeons and not nurses, so you can be sure that you will receive specific and personalised advice by the specialist who will perform your surgery. With breast implants, the consultation is even more important because you have numerous choices. The choices include not only the size of the implants but also to the shape, the filling substance, the incision site and the type of anaesthetic to name a few.

At the Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre, we believe that cosmetic surgery is a collaborative process, and the consultation allows your surgeon to get a complete understanding of your goals and concerns so that all the important surgical decisions can be made in partnership with you.

Your surgeon will fully discuss with you:

• Why you are seeking breast implants and the result you want to achieve
• Your medical and breast history
• The choices between breast implants - silicone or saline; round or anatomical (teardrop-shaped); textured or smooth
• The advantages and disadvantages of positioning the implants in front or behind the pre-pectoral muscle
• The location and incision for the breast implants
• The difference in cost between the various implants
• The likely outcome you should expect and the recovery process
• Some of the complications of breast augmentation including implant malposition, rotation and capsular contracture.

Your surgeon will then examine your breasts and ask you to try on some ‘sizers’ in a sports bra to help you determine the size that looks and feels most comfortable. He or she will then be in a position to recommend the most suitable breast implants based on your needs and desires. You will also have the opportunity to view before and after photos of patients who have had breast implants that are similar to those recommended by your surgeon.

The first consultation will take up to an hour and costs between $130 and $160, depending on your chosen Plastic Surgeon. Generally your surgeon will arrange a second consultation with you, to go over things again and cover any further questions that you might have. We will confirm any further costs associated with this when you make your initial appointment.

Your recovery

Every woman’s recovery is different but in general you will probably feel a little sore for several days following your breast augmentation surgery. The first 24 to 72 hours after your procedure is when you will experience the most discomfort. Your breasts will be swollen and tender. Therefore an important part of your recovery is wearing a postoperative bra or compression garment. These are designed to provide you with extra support while you heal. Although every woman’s recovery is different, you should be able to resume your normal routine in 2-3 weeks although you may wait a little longer before undertaking any strenuous exercise.

To assist with post operative healing and to enhance overall results, all of our cosmetic surgery patients receive a complimentary course of 12 Photonlite Therapy (LED) treatments in Assure Medispa, our own medical spa.  In addition you’ll receive a complimentary treatment of your choice to the value of $250. Assure Medispa offers non-surgical, non-invasive treatments including pulsed light (IPL), injectable wrinkle relaxers & dermal fillers, chemical peels (medi-facials) and microdermabrasion.

» Click here to contact us for more information about breast enhancement in WA.