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Breast Augmentation (Breast Enlargement)

Dr Tavakoli is widely renowned in Australia for his Breast Enhancement Work

Dr Tavakoli performs by far the most number of Breast Implants in Australia. Patients travel from Interstate, New Zealand, Asia and USA to our clinic. With over 3,000 cosmetic breast procedures, you know you are dealing with an experienced Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon you can trust.

Whether it is dealing with very difficult droopy or tuberous breast shapes needing complex mastopexy procedures, or simply wanting breast enlargement Dr Tavakoli aims to provide you with surgically safe and artistically natural looking breasts.

Please note that Dr Tavakoli is a Breast Augmentation leader specialising in Minimal Incision and Rapid Recovery Technique.

Book your consultation today from the below form or call 1300 368 107

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Breast Implants Page 2

What are the benefits of breast augmentation with implants?

Breast Augmentation Before & After Images

This operation is performed to enhance or restore the size and shape of a woman's breasts. Breasts may be small because of lack of development or changes following pregnancy, weight loss or congenital abnormalities. Sometimes a woman's breasts are very asymmetric (uneven). This operation can improve a woman's self esteem and quality of life. Studies have shown over 90% of women are satisfied with their results.

What kind of anaesthetic is used?

A general anaesthetic is used when the breast implant is placed under the pectoral muscle. Dr Tavakoli works with a skilful group of anaesthetists that perform both general and "twilight-sedation" anaesthesia. Dr Tavakoli only operates at fully accredited operating facilities where administration of both types of anaesthesia are permitted.

Some surgeons perform breast augmentation surgery in their consulting rooms under so called "twilight-sedation" without having the appropriate license for full general anaesthetic. Beware of clever marketing ploys that promote the use of sedation for breast augmentation surgery. Simply ask your surgeon if the choice of different anaesthesia is available to you.

In addition to general anaesthesia, Dr Tavakoli uses plenty of local anaesthetic around the surgical site in order to make the immediate recovery period very comfortable.

A few facts on Silicone

AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY

What happens after breast augmentation surgery?

Your breasts will be somewhat swollen and bruised postoperatively. This usually settles in about two to three weeks. Sometimes swelling may be slightly different between the two sides. This is normal and settles with time. However if a great difference develops between the two sides then you must contact us for advice.

Following a Breast Augmentation, the breasts may appear to be placed quite high up. This is also normal. During the first two months postoperatively the breast implants will gradually lower and settle from the effects of gravity into a more natural position. Do not be alarmed if one side settles quicker than the other, as this sometimes occurs.

Following the operation you will have a light dressing in place which will need to be kept dry until your follow-up appointment. At this time the wound inspected and lightly cleaned. There are no stitches to remove, as these are internal and dissolvable. Always remember to read and follow the postoperative instructions that will be given to you.

What are my limitations in activity post-operatively?

Breast Implants Image - Dr Tavakoli's actual patient

You should plan to avoid activities which require much raising of the arms above the level of the head for 10 days after surgery. With great care, you can drive about 10 days after surgery. Patients can usually return to work in 7 days unless their occupation requires particularly strenuous movements and lifting. In such cases, 2-3 weeks should be allowed.

Walking can commence within 7 days,
Light jogging within 3 weeks,
Gym and Pilates after 4 weeks
Upper body weights 6 weeks
Contact sports / Martial arts/ Boxing / Soccer 9 weeks

Pregnancy & Breast Feeding Issues

Should you become pregnant following your operation then your existing breast tissue will be subjected to the normal hormonal influences of this period and therefore your breast will enlarge and the skin will stretch accordingly. Likewise, once the pregnancy and any associated breast feeding ceases, your own breast tissue will then shrink down. It is impossible to predict to what degree these changes will occur; however, the breast implant volume will remain the same throughout these.

Breast feeding is certainly possible when implant is placed behind the muscle and the implant is not inserted through the nipple-areolar complex. Whether placement of implant behind breast tissue (in front of the muscle) has bearing on breast feeding is still debatable. Prolonged Breast feeding , however, will create possibility of stretch marks on the breasts and certainly accelerate breast droopiness (ptosis) which may or may not require surgical correction.

Complications

Dr Tavakoli's overall complication rate & re-operation rate for Breast Augmentation is less than 5% based on 2007 figures.

Surgical risks may include: infection, bleeding or haematoma, poor scarring, and capsular contracture. Palpation of the breast implants may occur in thinner women following breast augmentation. In these situations the breast implants are more likely to be felt at the lower part of the breast near the fold. Again this has no medical implications, although women who do not bear this in mind may suddenly become worried about feeling a "lump" in their breast. In any instance of uncertainty it is always best to contact your surgeon to have this examined.

Actual Patient

Capsular Contracture (Hardening)?

This is the most serious complication of breast implants. A capsule or capsule formation is a layer of scar tissue that normally forms around any artificial material placed in the body. It is important to realize that this is the natural response of the body to foreign material. Most times this capsule is so soft that it is virtually undetectable and therefore does not affect the breast implant in any way. Capsular contracture or hardening occurs when this layer of scar tissue shrinks around the breast implant, squeezing it so that it starts to feel firm, or in some cases, quite hard. Most capsular contractures experienced today stem from the smooth shell silicone breast implants placed some years ago. The capsule contracture rate in the past was 30-35% (in the 1980's breast implants).

With the onset of textured shell breast implants, the problem of capsular contracture has been significantly reduced, now being between 5%.

The cause of capsular contracture is not totally clear, but seems to be multifactorial. It is important to realize that there are degrees of contracture and that the majority of women, who do develop this hardening, develop it only to a mild extent. In the minority however, it may be severe enough to be bothersome, even painful and may cause distortion of the breast. The condition may occur in one or both breasts and to a different degree either side.

It may develop any time, even years later although it is most likely to happen in the first 3 years after surgery. Unfortunately at this time there is no effective way to prevent capsular contracture if it is going to occur. However as mentioned previously, encapsulation is no longer the problem that it was. Having mentioned all the above, it is important to note that capsular contracture is not in itself a health risk other than its possible interference with mammography.

Are the prostheses safe? Can they cause cancer?

In Australia and Europe current sales figures show a distribution of 90% silicone, 10% saline. As modern silicone gel implants have been available since 1963, surgeons therefore have over 35 years of experience with these types of breast implants. This is more than any other type in use. Evolution has brought changes and improvements over the years with the introduction of textured surface envelopes made of newer formulations designed to minimize the "bleed" or diffusion of what is usually tiny amounts of the silicone oil fraction of the gel contents.

Importantly the standard silicone gel by most accounts, arguably "feels" the most natural of all breast implants. This is probably as a result of the inherent smoothness of the silicone gel content.