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Top Things to Know About Getting a Breast Augmentation
If you’ve been thinking about getting a breast augmentation, you’ve come to the right place. With all the articles and opinions you come across online, things can get confusing. So, we’ve decided to put together some answers to frequently asked questions about breast augmentation surgery.
Should I get a Breast Augmentation?
This is one of the first, most (and most important) questions you might ask yourself. There are so many reasons that lead you to want to get a breast augmentation. Having what you believe to be breasts that are too small, asymmetric, tuberous breasts, and breasts that are disproportional to the rest of your body are all valid reasons.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss might have caused the loss of volume and drooping of your breasts, and you might want to alter how they look.
Where can I get a Breast Augmentation?
To get a breast augmentation, you need to look for an experienced plastic surgeon and not just a general surgeon.
Plastic surgeons are qualified surgeons who have received extensive training in breast augmentation surgery, and they are a recommended choice when choosing who will perform your procedure. The marketplace is full of pretenders, undertrained doctors and surgeons in training as well as pop-up clinics that might try and convince you that they can deliver desired results. However, you should be careful, as such businesses can scam you out of money and leave you with suboptimal cosmetic outcomes.
This is why you need to choose a certified and well-known plastic surgeon with experience in performing breast augmentation. While looking up a surgeon, make sure they belong to FRACS, ASPS, ASAPS or ISAPS. Members of these societies are accredited and recognized plastic surgeons whom you can trust to give you the desired results.
Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
Breast Augmentation may provide altered breast volume and cleavage through the use of breast implants and, in some cases, fat grafting.
What to Consider Before Getting a Breast Augmentation?
There are a few things you should consider if you want to get a breast augmentation:
● Fullness: Upper pole fullness means that the upper parts of your breasts are altered to appear full and firm. This may give your breasts more volume and an outlined cleavage. Fullness is very much related to the breast implant shape, with round implants giving a more full appearance on the top than teardrop implants.
● Projection: A second feature is projection. The projection is defined as the distance between your chest wall and the outer side of the implant. This determines how much your breasts will project in front of you. The term “high profile” is usually used to describe breasts that have more projection, while the term “low profile” as the name suggests describes breasts with lower projection. Projection is also involved in how your side breast will look.
● Firmness: Another critical feature that you need to look for is firmness. You would want your breasts to feel soft. This is determined by the type of breast implant you receive. Gel implants may be better at giving soft-feeling breasts, while saline will likely give you firmer breasts.
Breast augmentation can become confusing when you read about different implant shapes, sizes, and types online. Here’s where an experienced plastic surgeon steps in.
Your plastic surgeon will ask you how you want your breasts to look before performing the surgery. They will help you choose a breast implant that is not too big and not too small based on your desired outcome. Cleavage, side breast, breast shape, and breast size are all things that you will be discussing with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
What are suitable Implants for me?
Our surgeons use MOTIVA and MENTOR breast implants. These implants are considered top-of-the-line in breast augmentation surgery. They have been trusted for decades by plastic surgeons and millions of women worldwide. Breast implants come in many shapes, sizes, types, and textures. Some of the things you might want to know about your implant:
● Breast implant materials: All breast implants have an outer silicone shell, however, their filling can differ. The two main implant types are saline and silicone implants. Saline implants are filled with normal saline (saltwater). Their outcomes include a smaller incision and adjustability during surgery since they are inflated intraoperatively. The second breast implant type is silicone-filled implants. These implants may feel softer.
● Breast implant size: Size is very important when choosing a breast implant. Your doctor will help you choose the breast implant size depending on your desired shape and the current characteristics of your breast and skin. Breast implant sizes are measured in cubic centimetres (cc) and not the traditional cup size. They usually range between 80cc and 800cc. The 375cc implants and 400cc high-profile implants are very popular.
●Breast implant shape: Breast implants are usually either round in shape or teardrop-shaped. Teardrop (or contoured) implants may mimic the softer look of the breast, however, they may require a larger incision. Round implants may provide more fullness to your breasts and make them project more.
● Breast implant surface: Breast implants may have either a smooth or a textured surface. Sooth-surfaced implants are less likely to be felt in your breasts. The outcomes of textured surface implants is that their design helps them stay in place and not migrate. They also carry less risk of causing scarring around the implant.
What other methods of Breast Augmentation are there?
You’ve probably heard of breast augmentations using fat transfer or fat grafting. When getting a breast augmentation by fat transfer, your surgeon will remove fat from another part of your body (like your buttocks or thighs) and inject it carefully into your breasts that may increase their size and achieve the desired contour, profile, projection, and size. Fat transfer breast augmentation may help achieve desired results in women who want to minimally increase the size of their breasts to create a more defined contour and alter their appearance. It’s better when combined with traditional breast augmentation using implants, where fat grafts are used to make a final optimisation of shape and symmetry.
Potential outcomes of fat grafts include a smaller incision (compared to implant surgery), subtle-looking and feeling breasts, with the option to contour the donor fat sites in your body by liposuction.
Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
Breast Augmentation aims to provide fuller breast volume and better cleavage through the use of breast implants and, in some cases, fat grafting.
When choosing a plastic surgeon to get a breast augmentation, before and after pictures are usually the first thing that catches the eye. Before and after breast augmentation pictures can help you better explain to your surgeon what kind of breasts you want. You can discuss with them specific details: size, shape, projection, nipple shape, among other things while using before and after photos as a reference for your desires. Your doctor can also use before and after breast augmentation photos to explain to you what each implant may achieve, by showing you real examples from previous patients.
What happens after I get a Breast Augmentation?
Every woman would like to know what to expect after breast augmentation surgery. Your breasts will be sore and swollen for the first few weeks after surgery. You might notice some bruising, however, that will go away after a few days. You will see the surgical scar which, depending on your specific case, might be right on the crease under your breast or around your nipple. This scar will fade out with time and become barely noticeable after a couple of years.
Regarding the results, it is important to keep realistic expectations. The shape of your breasts will change – you may have larger and firmer breasts. Keep in mind that even after surgery, your breast will still age and might need revision surgery after a decade or so.
How long does a breast augmentation last?
One of the most frequently asked questions about breast augmentation is “How long do breast implants last?”. Even though breast implants may be very durable, they won’t last forever. On average, experts estimate that implants need to be changed after 10 years. A lot of breast implants can last longer than this, but some may need changing earlier. Losing weight, breastfeeding, and gravity can -with time- change how your breasts look, and you might need revision surgery. Implant rupture and fibrous tissue formation are also reasons you might need revision surgery.
Is breast augmentation covered by Medicare or Health Insurance in Australia?
Breast augmentation for purely cosmetic reasons are not likely to be covered by insurance in Australia since most funds don’t consider this as a necessary medical act. Breast reconstruction for corrective reasons, like tuberous breast surgery or after a mastectomy, is more likely to receive a rebate from Medicare and third-party insurers.
Can I use my sick leave to get a breast augmentation?
After a breast augmentation, you will need some time to rest at home. You will need to check with your HR department at work to learn what qualifies as sick leave. Your surgery is serious and is likely to be covered by sick leave. Either way, you will need to check with your specific work policies in this matter. Your medical leave certificate will NOT have any information about your specific surgery for medical privacy reasons, however, it will be signed by a plastic surgeon. Make sure to ask about these details before planning the right time for surgery.
How to choose a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation in Australia?
Our CocoRuby surgeons are some of the most experienced and certified plastic surgeons in Australia, and they’re based in Melbourne. They have vast experience in breast augmentation, breast reduction, tuberous breasts, breast lifts (mastopexy), and breast augmentation by fat transfer.
As mentioned before, you need to choose an experienced plastic surgeon (and not just a doctor or medical practitioner) if you’re looking to get a breast augmentation with the desired outcome. Experience and advanced training all play a role when choosing a plastic surgeon. You need to make sure you research your surgeon well, check their social media profiles, their website, before/after photos, and try to get in touch with previous patients if at all possible.
You can book an appointment to get a full assessment by one of our plastic surgeons to discuss breast augmentation and see which implant size and type are suitable for you.
About Dr Craig Rubinstein
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Dr Craig Rubinstein FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) is an experienced Melbourne Specialist Plastic Surgeon for breast and abdominoplasty surgery.
Dr Rubinstein offers women personalised abdominoplasty surgery and all forms of cosmetic breast surgery.
BOOK A CONSULTATION (03) 8849 1400
Next Steps in Your Surgical Journey
Want more information about your Procedure?
- Visit the FAQs to learn more about your intended procedure.
- For more information about pricing visit our cost page.
- You can also call our Reception from 9 to 5 pm Monday to Friday on (03) 8849 1400
About Your First Consultation
- Dr Rubinstein’s Consultation fee is $300.
- A referral from your GP or specialist is essential.
- A referral helps when claiming Medicare or Private Health Insurance coverage.
- Please contact reception at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery to book your consultation.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
- You are more than welcome to bring a friend or relative to help discuss the information and your choices.
- Ensure you also take a lot of notes and thoroughly examine the documents provided.