Breast Augmentation

Commonly known as a boob job, breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of your breasts.

Women choose to have breast augmentation surgery to balance the proportion between their breasts and their body, as well as gain a shapelier contour. Breast augmentation, one of the most popular and common cosmetic surgeries, involves the placement of a silicone breast implant beneath or over the chest muscle to increase breast size. In most cases, the incision is made either around the lower half of the nipple or under the breast crease, which only leaves a very fine scar line and results in a natural appearance.

This surgery can be performed for a number of reasons. These include personal reasons for women who feel that their breast size is too small, an increase in breast size following pregnancy or weight loss, to balance a difference in breast size or as a reconstructive procedure following breast removal. Depending on the size and type of implant used, your bra cup-size can be increased by a little or as much as you want (within reasonable limits). The information brochure will give you a basic understanding of breast augmentation but, It cannot answer all of your questions as a lot depends on individual needs and the Surgeons preference. Please ask your Surgeon about anything you are unsure about.

Breast implants come in a wide range of materials, shapes and sizes to suit individual needs. Implants can be filled with either saline or cohesive silicone gel, and the shape can be round or anatomical (teardrop). The actual width of a woman’s chest from the edge of the sternum (breastbone) to the outer edge of the pectoral muscle determines the maximum size implant. Using an implant with too large of a “footprint” will cause the implants to meet in the middle (synastia or “bread loafing”, or to spill over into the armpit area. Your Surgeon will advise you of your realistic options during your consultation.

What to Expect

Breast Augmentation is performed under a General Anaesthetic. This surgery can be performed as day surgery, however, if surgery is scheduled on an afternoon list you may require an overnight stay. This Surgery is considered “cosmetic” therefore private health funds will not cover your surgery, hospital fees or overnight stay (if required).

The technique used depends to some extent on the individual patient and the type of implant that will be used. For example in very slender patients one wants as much padding as possible between the skin and the implant, otherwise, the implant will be easily felt. This means that the implant is best put behind the muscle. Some people also feel that placing the implant underneath the muscle reduces the risk of capsular contracture and most importantly, placement underneath the muscle will prevent the implant from riding high and giving you a higher, fuller look with an overflowing cleavage. This technique is also better for future breast mammograms to be performed.

Placement of the implant depends on personal choice as well as surgical preference. Your Surgeon will assess your needs at the time of your consultation so that you are prepared for the approach to surgery. This also applies to the placement of the incision line that can be made underneath the nipple OR immediately under the breast in the inframammary fold. The incision is typically two of three centimetres long when using saline implants and four to five centimetres long when using a silicone implant. This is because the silicone implant comes pre-filled, whereas the saline implant can be inflated when inside the chest wall. Nowadays, saline implants are hardly ever used, having been left behind by technical advanced in silicon gel implants.

At the time of surgery, an incision is made in the appropriate area and a “pocket” is dissected underneath the muscle & skin where the implant will be fitted. The implant is then inserted and centred beneath your nipple. For saline implantation, the implant is placed, then filled with saline solution through a port until the desired size, shape and symmetry is achieved. The incision is then sutured with dissolving sutures underneath the skin. A drain may be inserted into the area to drain away any fluid that may collect. These drains are usually removed 24-48 hours after your surgery.

Your chest may be bandaged tightly and if so should be left in place for 24 hours. Most patients, however, are simply dressed & placed in a bra.

Visit our website for an animated video of this procedure.