Plastic surgery:Breast

Procedure	Why Consider It?
Breast Implants Breasts of fuller shape and size are realized through saline or silicone filler (implants) placed either under or over the chest muscle.	Offers improved contours Can correct asymmetry or unevenness in breast size
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue.	Restores youthful shape and firmness Improves breast shape, volume, and/or firmness
Breast Reduction Removes excess tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body, alleviating discomfort associated with overly large breasts.	Safe and effective option for women with large, heavy breasts Alleviates physical pain and discomfort, including back or shoulder pain

Breast Augmentation:

Breast augmentation, often combined with a breast lift, is a highly individualized procedure, which you should do for yourself, not to fulfill anyone else’s desires or to fit a certain type of ideal image. It is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in Australia.

Is breast augmentation safe?

Both saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants present potential risks, including:

• Implant rupture
• Need for additional breast surgery
• Breast pain

• Scar tissue that hardens around and distorts the breast implant (capsular contracture)

• Potential for decreased nipple or breast sensation
• Infection

Breast Lift (Mastopexy):

Your breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. Pregnancy, nursing, weight gain and loss, aging and gravity can cause breasts to soften and sag. Women who are unhappy with the shape, volume and/or firmness of their breasts may consider having breast lift surgery, also called mastopexy. A mastopexy raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast. A breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation surgery to increase both the firmness and size of the breasts.

Is breast lift surgery safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk.

Although rare, risks associated with breast lift surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Unevenly positioned nipples

• Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts

• Problems with wound healing.

Breast lift surgery incisions do leave scars, but these will fade with time with maximum fading occurring at one year. Scar locations include an incision around the nipples, vertically down the breast and sometimes horizontally in the breast fold.

Breast Reduction:

Plastic surgeons in Australia have perfect breast reduction techniques to effectively remove excess tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

Is breast reduction surgery safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Although rare, possible risks associated with breast reduction surgery include:

• Bleeding and infection
• Unevenly positioned nipples
• Partial or complete loss of sensation in the nipples
• Tissue or nipple loss
• Possible loss of the ability to breastfeed (due to the removal of milk ducts)
• Women who smoke are at a higher risk for all complications. Poor healing and wider scars are also more common in smokers.
• Breast reduction surgery does leave permanent scars that may be problematic, with “raised” or “hypertrophic scars” common. Yet, these are typically hidden by a bra or swimsuit.
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Facial Implants & Chin Surgery

Plastic/Cosmetic surgeons in Australia perform facial implant and other chin surgery techniques to create symmetry among your facial features by establishing balance and proportion. Your procedure may be performed alone, or as a complement to other facial contouring procedures such as face lift, neck lift, cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty) or other procedures.

Am I candidate for facial implant and chin surgery?

Facial implant surgery, sometimes referred to as chin surgery or chin plastic surgery, is completed through the insertion of specially formed solid, biocompatible materials designed to enhance or augment the physical structure of your face. The precise type and size of facial implants best suited for you require an overall evaluation of your goals, the features you would like to change and your surgeon’s judgment.

Chin surgery, also known as mentoplasty, aims at reshaping the chin by enhancement with an implant, by cutting the boney chin and moving it forward (genioplasty), or by reduction of the chin bone. It’s not uncommon for chin surgery to be performed in addition to other facial surgery procedures to give the best overall facial balance.

Good candidates for facial implant and/or chin surgery include:

• Individuals whose facial bones have reached physical maturity, which generally occurs in late adolescence
• Individuals who are bothered by a small chin, weak jaw or lack of facial contour
• Healthy individuals who have no major medical conditions
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for their facial implant and/or chin surgery.

How do I prepare for facial implant and chin surgery?

Preparing for your facial implant may include:

• Lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications
• Stopping smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to increased risk of bleeding.

What results can I expect?

The results of your facial implant procedure are visible almost immediately. Initial swelling will subside over the first week with the use of cold compresses, and continue to subside for the following two to four weeks. Swelling from facial implants should go away fully in one to two months as your final results appear.

After chin surgery, your chin will be swollen, firm and possibly bruised. Using cold compresses in the first 48 hours will significantly lessen the swelling, as will keeping your upper body elevated when resting. If cosmetic injectables were used as the primary treatment for your chin augmentation, the swelling and bruising may be less.

Final results from both facial implant and chin surgery procedures takes time. 

Are facial implant and chin surgery procedures safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk.

Possible complications from facial implant and chin surgery include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Anesthesia risks
• Change in skin sensation due to nerve injury
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Excessive scar tissue formation
• Firmness around the implant
• Shifting of implants and pressure on surrounding structures
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration and swelling
• Pain
• Skin sensitivity
• Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Blood clots
• Possibility of revisional surgery

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Lip Lift

A lip lift can help improve visible signs of aging by enhancing the appearance of the upper lip. Such indicators as a long upper lip, down-turned corner of the lip, covering of the upper teeth by the upper lip or smoker’s lines may cause unwelcome effects and an older appearance.

Am I a candidate for a lip lift?

If you are concerned with visible signs of facial aging around the mouth area, then a lip lift may be right for you. Additional factors of an ideal candidate include:

• A thin upper lip
• No upper tooth show when the lips are parted

What results can I expect?

Patients can expect to experience minimal post-surgery bruising typically lasting less than one week.

Results from your lip lift surgery will be long lasting. You can help maintain your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance through life-long sun protection and a healthy lifestyle. Follow-up consultations with your cosmetic surgeon will help ensure your lip lift results. View our lip surgery before and after photos to see results from actual patients.

Is a lip lift safe?

Lip lift surgery is a straight-forward operation to make the lips younger and more attractive. It is a minimally invasive procedure with very little down-time. Rarely, a scar may be visible. Otherwise, there tends to be little risk involved with this procedure.

Forehead Eyebrow Lift

What is a brow lift?

A forehead lift (also referred to as an eyebrow lift or brow lift) minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, improves frown lines, and repositions low or sagging eyebrows. A forehead lift may also be combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), but unlike eyelid surgery alone, a forehead lift offers a more youthful appearance of the eyebrows and a more rested appearance of the upper face and eyes.

Am I a candidate for a forehead lift (eyebrow lift)?

A forehead lift, also known as an eyebrow lift or brow lift, is a highly individualized procedure. Good candidates for rejuvenation of the forehead include:

• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind to improve their appearance.

How do I prepare for a forehead lift (eyebrow lift)?

Preparing for your forehead lift may include:

• Lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications
• Stopping smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to increased bleeding.

What results can I expect?

The final results of your forehead lift (eyebrow lift) surgery will appear within several weeks. While a forehead lift will not stop the aging process, the procedure is typically very long lasting. View our forehead surgery before and after photos to see results from actual patients.

Is a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Possible complications from a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) surgery include:

• Temporary numbness or itching of the forehead and hair
• Small amount of hair loss in the area of the incision
• Bleeding underneath the skin of the forehead
• Prolonged swelling
• Injury to the nerve that raises the eyebrow (very rare).

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What is blepharoplasty?

Loose skin above the eyes, tired eyes or bags under the eyes can be improved dramatically with eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery improves the appearance of your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both.

Am I a candidate for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?

A common cosmetic procedure in patients age 30 and older, eyelid surgery, also known as an eyelid lift, is used primarily to fight the effects of aging skin. As skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity, and this, combined with the constant pull from gravity, leads to excessive skin collecting in the upper eyelids, causing drooping of the eyelids. The primary cause of lower-lid aging is loosening of skin and the underlying muscle.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are adult men and women who have healthy facial tissue and muscles and realistic goals for improving the upper and/or lower eyelids and surrounding area. If improving both upper and lower eyelids, the procedure is called an upper and lower blepharoplasty.

Candidates for eyelid surgery include:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for blepharoplasty
• Individuals without serious eye conditions.

How do I prepare for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?

Preparation for your eyelid surgery may includes:

• Lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications
• Stopping smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoiding taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to the risk of increased bleeding.

What results can I expect?

The final results of your eyelid surgery (eyelid lift) will appear within several weeks. While eyelid surgery will not stop your eyes from aging, the procedure is typically very long lasting. The effects of upper eyelid surgery can last many years to an entire lifetime, while lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated. Initial healing throughout the first one to two weeks following your eyelid surgery may include:

• Swelling
• Bruising

• Irritation or dry eyes
• Irritation at the incision sites.

It is important that you practice careful sun protection, including using darkly tinted sunglasses until the healing process is fully complete.

Is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Although rare, possible complications from eyelid surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Dry eyes
• Abnormal discoloration of the skin of the eyelids

• An inability to fully close the eyes
• Eyelid skin that folds in or out abnormally
• A pulled down lower lid lash line 
• Possible loss of vision (extremely rare).

Cosmetic Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

What is a rhinoplasty?

Cosmetic nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, can improve the appearance and proportion of your nose – enhancing facial harmony and self-confidence. Cosmetic nose surgery may also improve a breathing problem or correct abnormalities caused by trauma or a birth defect, and the procedure can change your nose’s overall size, tip, bridge and nostrils.

Am I a candidate for cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty)?

Cosmetic nose surgery is a highly individualized procedure, with the best results achieved through a thorough consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. The best candidates for nose surgery include:

• Individuals whose facial growth is complete; generally, surgery is performed on individuals age 18 or older
• Individuals who are physically healthy
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of their appearance

• How do I prepare for cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty)?

  Preparing for your cosmetic nose surgery may include:
• Lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Taking photos of your nose to allow for computer images to demonstrate potential post-operative results
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications
• Stopping smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoiding taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to increased risk of bleeding

• What are the different types of cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty)?

  The two primary types of rhinoplasty include "open" and "closed," though there are other types of cosmetic nose surgery:
  • Open Rhinoplasty is used for major nose reshaping. Incisions are made in the vertical strip of skin separating the nostrils, called the columella. The skin and soft tissue are then lifted off the underlying structures of the nose so the surgeon can see the nasal anatomy.
  • Closed Rhinoplasty is used for minor nose reshaping. Incisions can be made within the nose. The skin of the nose is then separated from the bone and cartilage, which form its supporting framework. Once exposed, bone and cartilage can be removed, reshaped, augmented or rearranged to achieve the desired new shape.
  • Secondary Rhinoplasty. Also called revision rhinoplasty, this is performed to correct problems that persist or develop after a previous nose surgery. Although the problems may be minor and easily corrected, the problems may be more complex, which makes the secondary rhinoplasty more difficult. Secondary rhinoplasty can also be done as an open or closed procedure.
  • Filler Rhinoplasty. This involves the use of injectable fillers to “fill” depressions, smooth out sharp angles or change the angle of the tip of the nose to restore symmetry. For instance, instead of removing a bump, your surgeon would use an injectable filler to make the nose more even. While effective, injectable fillers do not offer permanent results. Learn more about Injectable Fillers.

  • What results can I expect?

    Cosmetic nose surgery can dramatically change your appearance. It is common to feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your nose immediately after surgery. At this point, the nose is still quite swollen and it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine.
    During this time, there may be gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome. While the results of cosmetic nose surgery are permanent, the surgery won’t prevent the effects of aging. 

    Is cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty) safe?

    All surgical procedures carry some risk. Possible complications from cosmetic nose surgery include:
    • Swelling around the eyes
    • Bruising around the eyes
    • Bleeding
    • Infection
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Difficulty smelling (usually temporary due to swelling)