Breast Procedures

Breast Augmentation

Overview

Breast augmentation or breast enlargement is a surgical procedure offered at our Brisbane practice to increase the size and change the shape and asymmetry of the breasts.

The Consultation

During the consultation, Dr. Richardson will determine exactly what size and shape you are trying to achieve. After measuring the breast dimensions, Dr. Richardson will try on a number of trial implants with you to help determine the shape and size that you would like. You are welcome to borrow trial implants to help with your decision.

Dr. Richardson will fully discuss your options, the operation (general anaesthetic, day surgery, no drains), recovery, risks, and answer all of your questions in a relaxed yet precise manner.

The Surgery

Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anaesthetic. The surgery involves the placement of an implant either behind the breast tissue or under the chest wall (pectoral) muscle. Once inserted the implant will push or help lift the breast tissue forward, making the breast appear larger and more full.

Options

There are a few options for breast augmentation patients at our Brisbane practice:

1. The type of breast implant:
   The implant can be either saline or silicone gel.
2. The shape of the implant:
   The breast implant may be round or shaped like a teardrop.
3. The surface of the implant:
   The implant may be smooth or textured.
4. Where the incision will be made:
   The incision can be made either in the crease under the breast, around the nipple, or in the armpit.
5. Where the implant will be positioned:
   The breast implant may be placed either under the pectoralis muscle or above it.

Risks

As with any surgery, there are general risks involved with breast enlargement such as a negative reaction to general anaesthetic, bruising, swelling, excessive bleeding, infection, or prominent scarring. Other risks include capsular contracture, fluid around the implant, change in nipple sensation, implant leakage, rippling of the implant, and asymmetry.

After Surgery

Patients should allow one to two weeks to recover after breast augmentation surgery before returning to work. Our nurse contacts patients daily following surgery to make sure there are no complications. Post-operative visits will be scheduled for one week, two weeks, six weeks, six months, and 12 months after surgery. (Each of these visits is included in the original operation fee.) Patients should wear a crop-top provided for the first six weeks following surgery to ensure proper support and healing. It is also recommended that patients refrain from driving for at least two weeks after breast augmentation and avoid partaking in rigorous exercise for at least six weeks.

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Breast Augmentation with Lift - Operations for Breast Droop

Sometimes, particularly after weight loss or having had children or just through effects of gravity, the breast tissue and nipple areola complex sit in a droopy position. Whilst in some patients it may be necessary to perform a breast implant and a lift, other patients can get away with purely having a breast augmentation. For patients having a breast augmentation alone, I recommend an anatomic or teardrop shaped implant placed on top of the muscle. By placing it on top of the muscle it avoids the longer term complication of the breast dropping off the front of the implant leaving you with one mound which is the implant and a breast that sits at a lower level than that. If the implant is put on top of the muscle, it tends to move with the breast as it naturally descends with gravity. The teardrop shaped implant has a lower centre of mass and therefore has a more outward and upward projection to the nipple as opposed to a round implant, which often has a higher centre of pointed projection and therefore can under some circumstances push the implant in a downward direction. The advantage you have with an implant alone is that it avoids the scars involved with a breast lift.

In some circumstances, it is necessary to perform a breast lift along with the breast augmentation to bring the breast and nipple complex to a more superior level to be more centred over the most projecting part of the implant. I would normally use a round implant for this procedure although a teardrop shaped implant can be used and the implant can be placed on top of the muscle or behind the muscle according to the breast characteristics and patient wishes. One of the downsides of having a breast lift is the scars associated with this and these are, at a minimum, all the way around the nipple areola complex, but may involve a scar around the nipple areola complex and a vertical scar down to the inframammary fold and may even involve a horizontal incision in the inframammary fold.

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Breast Reduction

Overview

Breast reduction surgery, offered at our Brisbane practice, is a procedure common among women with large breasts who want to reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as rashes or other discomfort associated with large, heavy breasts. A reduction may also reduce self-consciousness and increase self-esteem.

The Surgery

Breast reduction performed at Brisbane Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery may be performed in one of two ways. For patients interested in eliminating a single cup size, liposuction may be beneficial. However, this approach is dependent upon the skin and breast volume retracting to the proper size after the procedure. The other method, performed under general anaesthetic involves removing excess fat, tissue, and skin through excision. The remaining tissue can then be sculpted to the desired shape and size. All stitches are internal, so they will not need to be removed after surgery.

Risks

The general risks involved in breast reduction surgery are a negative reaction to general anaesthetic, bruising, swelling, excessive bleeding, infection, and abnormal scarring. However, there are other risks to consider as well such as loss of sensation to the breast skin or nipple, asymmetry, or bottoming out of the breast.

After Surgery

After surgery our nurse will contact the patient daily to ensure a smooth recovery. Post-operative visits will be scheduled for one week, two weeks, six weeks, six months, and 12 months following breast reduction surgery. (Each of these visits is included in the original operation fee.) Patients should wear a crop-top for the first six weeks following surgery to ensure proper support and healing. It is also recommended that patients avoid driving for two weeks and refrain from rigorous exercise for at least six weeks after surgery.

If you are considering a breast reduction, Dr. Richardson at Brisbane Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery can deliver optimal results. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

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Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

Overview

Mastopexy (breast lift), offered at Brisbane Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, attempts to redrape the breast skin envelope to raise the position of the nipple and improve breast shape. Many women choose to have a breast lift to improve contour, increase firmness, raise the position of the nipples, reduce the size of the areolas, and improve self-esteem.

The Surgery

Mastopexy or breast lift at our Brisbane practice is typically performed under general anaesthetic. Dr. Richardson can complete a mastopexy procedure using a number of methods, including the Wise pattern technique and minimal scarring techniques, such as the Lejour method and Benelli method. Dr. Richardson will discuss each of these options in more detail before surgery.

Risks

As with any procedure, the general risks of surgery include an adverse reaction to general anaesthetic, bruising, swelling, excessive bleeding, infection, and keloid scarring. However, there are other risks to consider as well, such as loss of sensation to the breast skin or nipple, asymmetry, or bottoming out of the breast.

After Surgery

Our nurse contacts patients each day following breast lift surgery to make sure there are no complications or problems. Post-operative visits will be scheduled for one week, two weeks, six weeks, six months, and 12 months following surgery. (Each of these visits is included in the original operation fee.) Patients should wear a crop-top for the first six weeks following surgery to ensure proper support and healing. Driving should be avoided for two weeks after surgery and rigorous exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks.

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If you are interested in mastopexy (breast lift), contact Brisbane surgeon, Dr. Phil Richardson today for more information.

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Gynaecomastia

Overview

Gynaecomastia, typically performed on men with oversized breasts, is a surgical procedure to remove excess male breast tissue.

The Surgery

General anaesthetic is normally administered before surgery so the patient will not feel any pain during the surgery. Dr. Richardson then excises any excess/abnormal breast tissue. The remaining tissue is reshaped and held together with internal stitches.

Risks

The risks involved with gynaecomastia include those associated with any surgery, such as an adverse reaction to general anaesthetic, swelling, bruising, excessive bleeding, infection, and prominent scarring. Additional risks pertaining specifically to gynaecomastia include an inadequate reduction of breast tissue, an excessive reduction of tissue leaving a depressed area under and around the nipple, asymmetry, and loose skin.

After Surgery

A pressure dressing must be worn for the first five days after surgery. Our nurse will contact the patient daily after the procedure to ensure that they are recovering properly. Post-operative visits are scheduled for one week, six weeks, and six months after surgery. (Each of these visits is included in the original operation fee). Most patients are back to their normal routine within a couple weeks.

To learn more about gynaecomastia, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Richardson, contact our Brisbane practice today.

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