BREAST AUGMENTATION

If pre- and post-operative images are shown on this site, they are provided for general information only and do not predict your outcome. Images are displayed using comparable lighting, positioning, background, and clothing where possible. Any gallery contains a prominent notice stating that results vary due to factors including individual anatomy and healing. Images are not digitally altered other than standard anonymisation and sizing for web display.

Dr Alex Phoon Specialist Plastic Surgeon

AHPRA registration number: MED0001587102

Registration type: Specialist registration

Recognised specialty: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Patients may verify registration via the AHPRA public register.

All surgical procedures carry risks. Specific to mastopexy, these may include but are not limited to:

Anaesthetic risks, infection, bleeding, delayed healing, seroma, and scarring (including hypertrophic or keloid scars).

Changes in sensation of the nipple or skin-temporary or permanent.

Asymmetry, contour irregularities, or wound dehiscence.

Scarring that may not fade completely; healing varies by individual.

Rare but serious risks such as blood clots (DVT/PE) or death.
A comprehensive written risk summary will be provided during consultation.

It is essential that all risks & complications of surgery are understood before proceeding. For more information on risks & complications please visit our web page on Risks & Complications of Cosmetic Surgery – Dr Alex Phoon

It is common to experience tiredness, discomfort, or tightness in the chest area for several days after surgery. Temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation may also occur.

A supportive garment such as a postoperative bra or compression bandage is usually recommended to help stabilise the breasts and assist with healing.

The time needed to return to work and normal daily activities varies between individuals. Factors include the type of surgery performed, the demands of your work, and personal recovery differences. Strenuous activity, including heavy lifting and exercise, is generally delayed for several weeks and should only be resumed in line with medical advice.

Your surgeon will provide detailed postoperative instructions and follow-up care specific to your circumstances.

Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) is performed in an accredited hospital or day-surgery facility. The procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic administered by a qualified anaesthetist. Patients are usually discharged on the same day, unless clinical circumstances require an overnight stay.

The choice of implant size and type is determined through a consultation and clinical assessment. Factors considered include:

• Chest and breast measurements

• Tissue quality and skin elasticity

• The relationship between breast width, height, and chest wall dimensions

• Surgical safety and long-term considerations

During the consultation, different implant sizes may be demonstrated to help patients understand potential proportional changes. These demonstrations are intended only as a guide, as the final result cannot be guaranteed and will vary between individuals.

Each patient has unique anatomy, health considerations, and personal preferences. Implant selection is therefore made in consultation with the surgeon, balancing patient goals with clinical findings and surgical safety.

After augmentation mammoplasty, the body naturally forms scar tissue (a capsule) around the implant. In some cases, this capsule can become thickened or contract, a condition known as capsular contracture.

Factors that may increase the likelihood of capsular contracture include infection, haematoma, seroma, and implant placement above the muscle (subglandular).

Symptoms can vary and may include:

• Firmness of the breast

• Discomfort or pain

• Distortion of breast shape

• Palpability of the implant

• Displacement of the implant

When capsular contracture is severe or painful, further surgery may be required. Surgical options may include removal of the capsule (capsulectomy), removal of the implant, or removal and replacement of the implant.

Some individuals are able to breastfeed following augmentation mammoplasty. However, breastfeeding difficulties can occur after any type of breast surgery. The risk of difficulty may be greater when an incision is made around the nipple (periareolar approach), as this can affect the ducts and nerves involved in lactation.

If you are planning a pregnancy in the future, or would like the option to breastfeed, this should be discussed during your consultation so that potential implications can be considered when planning surgery.

Changes in nipple and breast sensation can occur after augmentation mammoplasty. Sensation may increase, decrease, or be absent in the nipple or breast area. These changes can be temporary or permanent and may affect one or both sides. The extent of change varies between individuals and cannot be predicted before surgery.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia. Patients are asleep for the duration of the operation and do not feel pain during the surgery itself.

After surgery, it is common to experience discomfort, swelling, or bruising, particularly in the first few days. Pain levels vary between individuals depending on anatomy, surgical technique, and recovery factors.

Patients are usually discharged with prescriptions for pain relief and other relevant medications. Your surgeon will provide guidance on how to manage discomfort at home and when to seek review if pain is not well controlled.

Any concerns about pain or recovery should be discussed during your consultation, so they can be addressed before you make a decision about surgery.

Changes in body weight can affect breast appearance and the long-term outcome of augmentation mammoplasty:

• Weight loss: A significant reduction in weight after surgery may lead to a decrease in breast volume and can contribute to breast ptosis (drooping).

• Weight gain: A significant increase in weight may increase breast size and alter the proportion of the augmentation result.

For this reason, patients are generally advised to consider surgery when their body weight is stable.

Silicone gel-filled breast implants have changed over time in response to safety concerns and manufacturing developments:

• First generation (1960s–1970s): Used a thicker outer shell with a firmer silicone gel fill.

• Second generation (late 1970s): Introduced thinner shells and less firm gel. These changes were intended to reduce implant firmness and visibility. However, higher rupture rates became a concern.

• Third generation (from the mid-1980s): Developed with stronger shells and a more stable gel, aiming to reduce rupture risk while maintaining softness.

Modern implants commonly used today are often called “cohesive gel implants.” They are designed to retain their shape and provide structural integrity if the shell is compromised.

Patients considering implants should be aware that:

• Implants are medical devices, not lifetime devices. They may require replacement or removal over time.

• No implant type can guarantee a specific look, feel, or outcome.

• Each implant has potential benefits and risks, which will be discussed during consultation alongside alternative options.

Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) is an elective procedure. It is not medically urgent and should only be undertaken after careful consideration.

Patients are encouraged to take adequate time to reflect on whether surgery is right for them. Under current AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines, there is a mandatory minimum cooling-off period of 7 days between providing written consent and undergoing surgery. This period allows patients time to consider the information provided, review risks, and ask further questions.

If you ever feel pressured to proceed with surgery without appropriate time for consideration, this is inconsistent with good medical practice. Surgery should only occur when you feel fully informed and comfortable with your decision.

The cost of augmentation mammoplasty varies depending on the details of the procedure and individual patient factors. As a guide, the approximate total cost for a primary breast augmentation is around $15,550.

This estimate may include:

• Surgeon’s fee

• Anaesthetist’s fee

• Accredited hospital or day surgery fees

• Assistant surgeon’s fee

• Breast implants (device cost)

• A supportive surgical bra

• Routine post-operative care and follow-up

If additional procedures are performed (for example, fat grafting or correction of significant asymmetry), this may involve additional costs beyond the standard fee.

Insurance and Medicare

• Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

• In some cases of reconstructive breast surgery (for example, treatment of developmental breast abnormalities), Medicare item numbers may apply, and private health insurance may assist with hospital or device costs.

Quotes and Further Information

A personalised, written quote will be provided after your consultation, once a clinical assessment has been completed. This will include a breakdown of all fees and any applicable Medicare or health fund information.

Recovery after augmentation mammoplasty varies between individuals and can be considered in two aspects:

Aesthetic recovery

• The initial appearance of the breasts generally settles over several weeks.

• It may take up to 6 months for the breast tissue to relax around the implant and for the final contour to be established.

Functional recovery

• Discomfort, tightness, swelling, and bruising are common during the first week after surgery.

• A supportive surgical bra is usually worn for approximately 6 weeks to help stabilise the implant during healing.

• Some patients may feel able to return to light work activities within 1–2 weeks, depending on the type of work and individual recovery. Driving and more strenuous activities may take longer.

• Strenuous upper-body exercise, heavy lifting, and gym workouts are generally delayed for at least 6 weeks. Light walking or stationary cycling may be possible earlier, if advised by the surgeon.

Wound care

• Dissolvable sutures are commonly used, with a waterproof dressing that may stay in place for around 10 days.

• Showering is usually permitted while dressings are in place, but this should be confirmed with your treating surgeon.

• Surgical drains are not routinely used in uncomplicated primary breast augmentation procedures.

Surgical timing

• Operating time is typically around one hour, but this may vary based on the procedure.

Important Notes

Recovery is influenced by many factors, including your general health, anatomy, the complexity of the procedure, and how closely post-operative instructions are followed. Individual recovery times differ, and there is no guarantee that your recovery will follow a specific timeframe.

Breast reconstruction or corrective surgery may be considered in certain developmental or structural conditions, such as:

• Tuberous breast deformity

• Significant breast asymmetry

• Developmental breast abnormalities

• Chest wall deformities, including pectus carinatum (“pigeon chest”) and pectus excavatum (“hollow chest”)

These conditions can affect breast shape and proportion in different ways. Surgical options are available to address some of these variations, depending on the individual’s anatomy and health.

Assessment and Planning

The decision to undergo reconstructive or corrective surgery is individual. Some people may consider surgery for functional reasons (for example, fitting clothing or breast prostheses), while others may seek surgical options for symmetry or contour correction.

During consultation, the primary focus is to establish your medical and surgical goals, review possible options, and discuss the risks, benefits, and limitations of each approach. A personalised treatment plan is developed in line with clinical findings and patient preference.

No surgical procedure can guarantee a specific appearance. Outcomes vary depending on individual anatomy, healing, and other factors.

In breast augmentation, the incision is commonly placed in the inframammary fold (the crease under the breast). This location is selected for several clinical reasons:

• It provides direct access for precise implant placement.

• It avoids incision sites such as the nipple or armpit, which may carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination and implant-related complications.

• It allows the scar to be positioned in a natural skin fold.

The typical length of the incision is approximately 3-5 cm.
Scar formation varies between individuals and depends on multiple factors, including genetics, skin type, healing responses, and adherence to post-operative care. Some patients may develop more prominent, hypertrophic, or keloid scars. Scars generally mature and fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.

Patients will be provided with information about scar management strategies as part of post-operative care.

During breast augmentation, internal sutures are commonly placed to help support tissue and the implant as healing occurs. These sutures are not a substitute for external breast support garments.

In certain limited circumstances, surgeons may use an additional material for reinforcement, such as a mesh device. One example is a mesh containing titanium fibres. This type of reinforcement is rarely required and is considered only in specific clinical scenarios. It is not a routine part of augmentation mammoplasty.

Patients are advised to continue using supportive garments as recommended during recovery and afterwards.

Hybrid breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that combines a breast implant with autologous fat grafting. In this technique, fat is removed from another area of the body by liposuction, processed, and then injected into selected areas of the breast to refine shape or contour.

This approach may be considered in situations such as:

• To add soft tissue padding over an implant, such as along the cleavage or the lower pole.

• To address specific anatomical variations, for example in some cases of tuberous breast shape.

Important considerations

• Fat graft survival is variable. A proportion of the transferred fat may not persist long term. Outcomes can differ between individuals.

• Additional surgery or touch-up procedures may be required.

• Risks include those of both breast implant surgery (capsular contracture, implant malposition, implant rupture) and fat grafting (fat necrosis, oil cysts, calcification, and the need for repeat procedures).

• Liposuction carries its own risks, including contour irregularities, seroma, and infection.

• General surgical risks (bleeding, infection, anaesthetic complications, scarring, poor wound healing) also apply.

Patients will be provided with written information on risks and potential complications and are encouraged to review this carefully before deciding whether to proceed.

Breast implants may be placed either behind the chest muscle (dual-plane technique) or in front of the muscle but behind the breast tissue. In the dual-plane approach, the upper part of the implant is covered by the pectoralis muscle, which can provide additional tissue coverage in some individuals. In other cases, such as when there is sufficient natural breast tissue or in certain body types, implants may be placed in front of the muscle.

The most appropriate approach varies depending on individual anatomy and clinical factors. This will be discussed with you during your consultation after a physical examination.

I have extensive experience using Mentor anatomical implants and continue to use them in certain situations. Anatomical implants remain an option, and while they have not been recalled, they do have some considerations. These include the potential to rotate on the chest wall and a tendency to ripple in patients with less soft tissue coverage. The reported risk of implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) with this type of microtextured implant is estimated at around 1 in 80,000. Research has also suggested that for implant sizes under 350cc—which make up the majority of implants used today—it is often difficult to distinguish between the results of round and anatomical implants.

For these reasons, in many cases I use Motiva round implants. These implants are designed with specific gel properties that allow them to resemble some of the characteristics of anatomical implants, while also providing additional fullness in the upper part of the breast.

At our practice, we use Motiva breast implants. These implants are available in different types and sizes, allowing for options that can be matched to individual patient needs. There are two main types of Motiva implants available:

Motiva Ergonomix
This implant type is intended for patients seeking a softer appearance and feel, with features designed to move in line with the body’s natural tissue.

Motiva Round
This is a round implant that is filled to create a firmer feel. It is commonly selected to provide more fullness in the upper part of the breast and a more projected appearance.