Prepared by

Dr Charles CopeMBBS BSc(Med) FRACS

THE SURGERY

Breast augmentation surgery requires a generalanaesthetic, with the operation taking 1-2 hours,and is usually performed as a day-stay orovernight-stay procedure. Following the surgery itis important to have restricted light activities, withno lifting or heavy duties for 7-10 days. Mostpatients may drive again and return to work within10 days after the surgery. Heavy activities andsport should not be undertaken for 3-4 weeksfollowing the surgery.

SUMMARY

Breast augmentation can enhance

your appearance and your self-

confidence, enlarging your breasts

and making them more proportional

with the rest of your body.

A patient guide to understanding

Breast Augmentation

PRACTICE LOCATIONS

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery is a group of PlasticSurgeons dedicated to providing a high standardof service to the North Shore.

All members are Fellows of the Royal AustralianCollege of Surgeons, Australian Society of PlasticSurgeons and Australian Society of AestheticPlastic Surgeons, and have been trained to thehighest possible standards.

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides acomprehensive range of cosmetic andreconstructive plastic surgery procedures,as well as a full range of the latest skin care,lasers and aesthetic treatments.

Dr Charles Cope

Level 1, 357 Military RdMosman 2088

Suite 507 SAN ClinicWahroonga 2076

www.drcharlescope.com.au

Ph: (02) 9908 3033

www.infinityskin.com.au

SILICONE OR SALINE IMPLANTS?

Most patients choose silicone implants ratherthan saline implants because they have a morenatural look and feel.

The main reason for choosing saline implants isthat if the implant were to rupture the breast“deflates” and the saline is simply absorbed bythe body. However, saline implants tend todemonstrate wrinkles, which can be palpable andsometimes visible. To avoid this saline implantscan be slightly overfilled, but this leads to a morespherical appearance with increased fullness inthe upper part of the breast and a firmer feel to theimplant. Saline implants have a rupture rate of1-3% per year, which requires another operationto correct.

Modern silicone implants are substantiallydifferent from the old type of silicone implantsused in the 1970s and 80s. The casing of theimplant is much thicker and has a texturedsurface, which reduces the chance of capsularcontracture (hardening) of the implant. Moderncohesive silicone gel implants contain a gel that issimilar in consistency to a set jelly, which retainsits shape and does not run like a liquid, as the oldsilicone gel did. Another advantage of thecohesive gel implants is that they are made in avariety of round and tear-drop shapes, whichmeans it is easier to choose an implant to achievethe breast shape that you desire.

Misinformation emerged about silicone in the late80's and early 90's. The effects of siliconeimplants have since been studied extensivelythese claims were made, looking at 100,000s ofwomen with breast implants. In June 1999 TheInstitute of Medicine at the National Academy ofSciences in the U.S.A. released a report whichconfirmed that there is no increased risk ofthe development of cancer, immunologic orneurological problems associated with the use ofsilicone breast implants, which had been claimedin the late 80's. Patients with implants canbreast-feed normally, as there is no effect onbreast milk.

OTHER CHOICES

Implants are placed either behind the breasttissue or under the pectoralis muscle on thechest wall. Breast implants placed underneaththe muscle have a more natural shape, a lowerchance of capsular contracture (hardening) of theimplant, and it is easier for mammography. Thereis also a choice of incision - in the crease underthe breast, under the areola or in the armpit, all ofwhich have advantages and disadvantageswhich you should discuss with your surgeon.

Photograph of a cohesive silicone gel implant cut in half -the silicone retains its shape due to increased cross-linking of the silicone molecules

INTRODUCTION

Breast augmentation can enhance your appearanceand your self-confidence, enlarging your breastsand making them more proportional with the restof your body. Breast augmentation can also beused to correct differences in the size of yourbreasts or sagging breasts which can occur afterpregnancy and breast-feeding.

PREOPERATIVE DECISIONS

There are many choices and options in breastaugmentation, which require careful planning toindividualise which are the best options for you.All of these choices have advantages anddisadvantages, which you should understandbefore you make a decision with your surgeon.

Breast implants will make your breasts larger,but the underlying shape of your breasts will notchange, and differences in the size and shape ofyour breasts may even be more obvious afterthe surgery.