Breast Augmentation Surgery or Breast Enlargement Surgery is performed for women looking to alter breast shape and volume.
Women may have naturally small breasts, breast asymmetry or a congenital breast abnormality (tuberous breasts). Loss of breast volume with pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change and ageing, may also cause women to seek breast augmentation.
Breast volume enhancement may be achieved with the placement of a breast implant or fat grafting, known as “natural breast augmentation”. In many cases, a patient’s own fat can be collected from somewhere else on their body and redistributed to the breast to enhance the volume of the breast. However, fat alone may not be sufficient to increase breast volume to the desired size. More commonly, fat transfer is used in conjunction with an implant to enhance results. This combined procedure is referred to as Hybrid Breast Augmentation or Composite Breast Augmentation.
Consultation
You will have an initial in-depth consultation with Dr Taylor, which usually lasts for 45-60 minutes. During your consultation, Dr Taylor will listen to you your specific concerns, needs, and desired outcome and learn about your general health and lifestyle. Your medical and breast history will be discussed, including pregnancies, breastfeeding, breast cancer history, family history, medical conditions and medications. A physical examination will be performed to assess your breast, chest and body shape/weight. Measurements will be taken to determine the most suitable implant in terms of shape and size and the appropriate surgical technique for placement. Clinical photographs will be taken, and you will have an opportunity to see and discuss your potential outcome using our simulation software, Crisalix.
You will have a second appointment to discuss your surgical plan in detail and to address all your questions. Dr Taylor aims to ensure all breast augmentation candidates are well-educated about the short and long-term risks and complications associated with breast augmentation surgery as well as the long-term commitment women make when they have breast implant surgery.
Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is performed in an accredited hospital under general anaesthetic. The surgery takes approximately 1.5 hours and can be performed as a day procedure, however some women will stay overnight.
Side effects, risks and complications
All surgery causes bruising, swelling, some oozing or small amount of bleeding from wounds, new scars and carries a risk of wound infection and wound healing problems. Deep vein thrombosis and risks associated with general anaesthesia must be considered.
Risks and complications specific to breast implant surgery include:
- Postoperative bleeding requiring a return to theatre
- Nipple-areola complex changes – changes in sensation/sensitivity
- Seroma – accumulation of fluid within the breast which may become infected
- Asymmetry
- Wound infection, which may require antibiotics, ongoing dressings and occasionally surgical management
- Implant infection, which in most cases requires surgical intervention and removal of the implant
- The appearance of rippling, the visible contour of the implant
- Implant rupture
- Implant migration
- Capsular contracture
- Poor scarring, including hypertrophic and keloid scars
- Small lumps in the breast tissue and/or lymph node tissue due to silicon
- Need for revision surgery
Related topics:
Breast Lift (Mastopexy): Learn when a breast lift may be recommended instead of, or in combination with, breast implants.
Fat grafting: Using your own fat to improve contour or increase breast volume. Hybrid breast Augmentation.
Breast asymmetry: Treatment options for breasts that differ in size or shape.
Tuberous breasts : Surgical options for women with congenital breast shape differences.
Breast implant revision surgery:Information about replacing, removing or correcting existing breast implants.
Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty) : Treatment options for breasts that differ in size or shape.
Consultation Locations
Dr Alaina Taylor consults from two convenient Sydney locations:
St Leonards – Information about consultations on Sydney’s North Shore.
Westmead – Information about consultations, parking, public transport and surgery in Hills District.