Body Lift Surgery After Massive Weight Loss

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Massive weight loss is a huge change that brings with it feelings of accomplishment and celebration. But many people also find themselves frustrated by side effects of their success.

In particular, they wonder how to handle excess skin after losing a large amount of weight in a short period. Thankfully, there are a few cosmetic surgery procedures that offer dramatic post-weight loss results. Body lifts and tummy tucks are options to help augment your weight loss. If you are considering body lift surgery, here are a few considerations that should help you determine if it is right for you.

What is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat deposits left behind after massive weight loss. The human body is a remarkable thing, but often it struggles to keep up with our fitness achievements. Once the skin has been over-stretched by the initial weight gain and then lost, the skin can not tighten and hence all the loose skin.

An abdominal lift after weight loss is appropriate for men and women who put in the hard work and lifestyle changes and want their appearance to reflect it. Body lift surgery removes large skin folds and fat from the hips, outer upper thighs, lower abdomen, and upper buttocks and sculpts the body’s size and shape to achieve desired results.

What You Need to Know

Body lift surgery is a surgical procedure that involves general anaesthesia and multiple incisions. It also requires you to have a consistent BMI for months leading up to and after the surgery.

There is a focused recovery period, with the first few days being especially critical for proper health and recovery. This includes exercise and activity restrictions that are gradually reduced as the body heals. The general timeline is two weeks before returning to work, four weeks before resuming most life activities, and eight weeks before a full return to physical exertion like exercise.

Procedures Involved

An abdominal lift involves general anaesthesia and multiple incisions; even though success rates are extraordinarily high, you must be a good candidate for a surgical procedure and work closely with your doctor to ensure the best results.

Surgeon Drawing Correction Lines On Woman's Stomach

The surgery is a combination of tightening skin and removing skin and fat to achieve a more youthful and slim appearance. Selective incisions can provide a natural and tailored appearance that even the most successful weight loss surgery and exercise regimen cannot match.

When seeking a body lift surgery in Perth, the skilled care of Dr. Goldman’s team will help you achieve the overall body results you envisioned when embarking on your weight loss journey.

Insurance Options/Coverage

Body lift surgery is costly, though it is a life-changing investment in your health and appearance. The duration of each procedure is measured in hours, from 3-4 up to 8 or more. Some private insurance plans assist with operations, while others have accessed their accumulated superannuation funds to assist with payment.

Your selected surgeon’s office will provide you with a consultation that explores payment options and pricing, depending on the types of procedures and potential coverages. A more detailed price quote will explain the difference between fees and parties receiving payment, which can help you understand out-of-pocket expenses. 

Cost

As an involved inpatient surgery, the overall cost can sound intimidating. However, compared to the potential complications and life-changing transformations, the cost can easily be perceived as a lifelong investment instead of a one-time elective sticker shock.

Further, there are different methods and payment assistance plans to enable you to start living the life you dream of today without worrying about paying all of it upfront.

Next Steps

If you have achieved massive weight loss recently, first of all, congratulate yourself. But if you have been disappointed with aspects of your appearance in spite of a massive change at the scales, you may be a prime candidate for body lift surgery. While the primary considerations of the tummy tuck procedure and body lifts are cosmetic, there are many measurable health effects caused by excess skin and fat deposits, including:

  • Difficulty in walking and exercising
  • Poor posture
  • Aching of the back and shoulders
  • Chronic rashes and infections in the folds
  • Personal hygiene issues due to the accumulation of sweat and problems without thorough cleaning of affected areas
  • Low or poor self-esteem

All of these reasons should only encourage candidates that their desire for the surgery is valid to help them envision a life free from complications associated with an otherwise positive experience.

Are you ready to take the next step to get your dream body?  Get in touch with Dr Goldman and request a consultation now!

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How a Tummy Tuck May Be an Answer to Chronic Back Pain

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If you’ve long been a sufferer of back pain, then you’re fully aware of the adverse effect it can have on your everyday life.

Reduced mobility and near constant pain can make even the most trivial of tasks a chore. Long-term medication use means recurring trips to the doctor and pharmacy and potentially living life through a haze. An inability to rest or sleep makes you sluggish and unresponsive at times when you should or need to be at your most alert.

Irritability and lost capacity to handle stress have put a strain on not just you, but your relationships. These are just a few of the daily challenges you might face. As time goes on, with little in the way of relief, these and other side effects of your back pain are only going to increase.

The prospect of continued misery can be overwhelming. What if there was a way to ease the constant suffering and never-ending doses of ineffective medicines? What if that remedy was a commonly performed procedure better known for its cosmetic benefits instead of medical advantages?

What if that procedure was a tummy tuck?

An Internal Back Brace

Abdominoplasty surgery, better known as a tummy tuck, has long been used to remove excess skin and fat from a patient’s abdomen. The operation also helps to reestablish weak or separated muscles caused by pregnancy, aging, and other factors.

The procedure is predominately used to repair the abdominal wall in women who were once pregnant, often as part of so-called “mommy makeovers.” The surgery is frequently cited as a confidence booster from the improved physical appearance of the patient’s mid-section.

Picture showing young woman waking up in the morning with pain

Other individuals that have benefited from the surgery include people who’ve experienced significant weight loss or have had previous surgery. Aging and heredity factors, though less common, can also weaken muscles and draw patients to the tummy tuck procedure.

What is often lesser known is that, in tightening the connective tissues in and around your abdomen, your spine becomes more stable. This effectively tightens your core and helps to correct poor posture and solidify your upper body.

Can a Tummy Tuck Really Improve Back Pain?

A study done in 2011 cites that the abdominal procedure can be effective at reducing back pain. The study followed eight female patients with chronic lower back pain and loose abdominal muscle tissue. After undergoing the tummy tuck procedure, each one reported immediate improvement of their back pain.

A more recent study of 208 female patients, completed in Australia in 2016, showed a significant number of female patients experienced reduced pain in their backs and considerable improvement in urinary incontinence.

Although both studies represent a small sample, they do give real hope to long time back pain sufferers that alternatives do exist. It is important though to understand who can benefit most by having this procedure.

Not All Back Pain is Created Equal

There are many different types of back pain. A tummy tuck and the tightening of your core is not a guaranteed method in curing all forms.

Nerve problems, disc complication, or even more severe spinal damage, will be unaffected by the abdominal surgery with pain potentially increasing. Therefore, it’s essential to consult with your physician to fully determine the source of pain.

More traditional methods, including ones that do not involve surgery, may be available to better treat your back.

More Than Just Pain Relief

Tummy Tucks

 

Tummy Tucks are quickly becoming a popular cosmetic procedure in Australia.

Even with its growing popularity, a tummy tuck is still an invasive surgery that may not be for everyone. It is understandable though, if you can no longer bear the daily stresses that come with your chronic back pain, to seek an alternative.

If, after extensive consultation with a specialist and a cosmetic surgeon, it’s determined you are a viable candidate for surgery, a tummy tuck could potentially be your solution to a pain-free life.

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Breast Lifts: The Complete Guide

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For many women whose bodies have deteriorated due to a number of factors, breast lifts are a great way to modify chest size, contour, and elevation.

This operation is also known as a “mastopexy” and is a rapidly increasing field of cosmetic surgery.

So what is a breast lift? Well, the main goal of this surgery is to reposition the breast and nipples in order to restore their natural look. This procedure may also involve removing excess skin, tightening the tissue and giving breasts a better shape.

The decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is not an easy one. In this blog, we will explore mastopexy, including facts, reasons to have the procedure, and common misconceptions about the operation.

Why get a breast lift?

In the article “The Truth about Breast Lifts”, plastic surgery professor Christina Y. Ahn notes that the reason that many people opt for the procedure is simply to get back what has been lost over time.

“Patients say, ‘I want my own breasts back,’” claims Ahn.

During her lifespan, a woman can experience changes in her breasts cause feelings of dissatisfaction. This can be due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, heredity, or simply descending with age or the effects of gravity.

A breast lift is designed to elevate the breasts to a more youthful position, therefore reversing these changes.

What you should know

Increase in confidence

Breast lifts do not merely address one single requirement, but rather a collection of conditions associated with self-image. Patients that undergo a  mastopexy can benefit physically, aesthetically and mentally from the procedure.

A breast lift can be exceptionally rewarding for women who have lost their confidence. Improved breast shape and positioning can really help them feel better about their bodies and increase their self-esteem.

Rise in popularity

Breast lifts are becoming increasingly popular with many women. According to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the rate of breast lifts has increased by 70 percent between the years 2000 and 2014 [source], indicating that the benefits of mastopexy seem to be appreciated by a number of women.

Getting a breast lift

Breast Lift Diagram
Source: Breast Lift 4 You

Before the breast lift, patients will meet with Dr Goldman for a pre-operation consultation. During this visit, or another pre-surgery appointment, the surgeon and patient will determine the end nipple position. A series of measurements are taken and the breasts are marked out and mapped to determine what region of the breast is to be removed and moved up to the new position.

They will then escort the patient into the operating room, which may be a hospital or day surgery centre. The patient then will meet the team, which will consist of nursing staff and anaesthesiologist and be given a general anaesthetic or sedative.

The surgery itself only takes about 4 hours. As well as removing excess tissue, the surgeon will use existing breast tissue to reposition the nipples.

Some patients choose to add implants during the breast lift surgery to add volume and roundness.

Back pain and posture

In the article Breast Reduction & Breast Lift 13 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Surgeries, the author states, “I wish I would have known how wonderful I was going to feel after this surgery. If I had, I would have done this years ago.”

As well as a reduction in back, neck and shoulder pain, she reports an increased sense of confidence because of how perky her breasts were. Her husband also noticed a positive change in her posture.

After the breast lift

After surgery, patients often experience discomfort, swelling and bruising. This typically last for a few weeks, though the surgeon will make suggestions to expedite the recovery period.  Post-surgery pain reduction typically includes prescribed pain medication or a surgical bra.

To facilitate the healing process, it is important to rest as much as possible, although most patients return to work and are able to do light activities after the first week. It is crucial to avoid heavy lifting for two months following surgery in order to avoid disrupting the healing process.

Breast Lift misconceptions

There is a wide array of misunderstanding that surrounds breast lifts. It is time to clear some of these up.

Breast lifts work better with implants

surgeon holding breast implants

While overall outcomes of a breast lift may improve when combined with implants, it is not necessary in every instance.  Many patients can get excellent results just from a lift. It is best to discuss individual cases with a plastic surgeon.

Breast lifts will increase breast size

Breasts will not increase in size after a lift. They may appear to be larger, but that will be due to improved shape and positioning. While the quantity of breast tissue does not increase, the quality does. The addition of implants will increase the size if desired.

Permanent scarring post-treatment

No one wants unsightly scars, so it is understandable that this point can be of concern to those considering mastopexy. For the first few months after surgery, the breast lift scars can be very noticeable, often appearing very red and lumpy. But don’t worry– over time, scars will fade. There are some treatment options to reduce scar appearance.

Fortunately, scarring is easily hidden beneath clothing, undergarments, or swimwear. The trade-off is younger, firmer looking breasts, which is why the vast majority of women are happy with the result of the procedure.

Breast lifts permanently fix breasts

While breast lift surgery doesn’t delay natural processes and aging, most patients obtain very long lasting results thanks to new surgery techniques

Conclusion

During their lives, women’s breasts will change. Changes can occur from pregnancy, weight change, age or gravity. These changes are completely natural. For some women, breast changes can have an impact on confidence.

Having a breast lift can improve breast shape, projection, and symmetry, as well as give breasts a more youthful appearance. As a result, those who undergo breast lifts look and feel better in and out of clothes.

At the end of the day, whether to get a breast lift or not is completely up to the patient.

Interested in getting a breast lift or simply need more information regarding the procedure? Contact Dr Robert Goldman for an obligation free consultation.

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The Beginner’s Guide to Labiaplasty

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As the name suggests, labiaplasty is a procedure for altering the folds of skin (or lips) of the vulva, which are called the labia minora and majora.

This form of cosmetic surgery is performed for a number of reasons, the most common of which is a reduction of the labia minora. However, there are a group of operations that fall under the term ‘labiaplasty’. In this blog, we are going to look at what they are, why people choose to have labiaplasty and what the benefits (and disadvantages) are.

History

Although labiaplasty has only recently started receiving mainstream attention, many people will be surprised to learn that the surgery has actually been around since the 1970s.

The first mentioned was in a medical paper in 1978. The article was entitled “Benign Enlargement of the Labia Minor [source].”

Interest in labiaplasty is at an all-time high in Australia.

Google Trends Labiaplasty Searches

Source: Google Trends

Controversy

Labiaplasty has attracted controversy over the years, because it has been linked with the feminist idea of male subjection or how men want women to look. However, many women who have the procedure performed do so for their own cosmetic or functional concerns.

In 2008, the Journal of Sexual Medicine reported on women who underwent the procedure and found that:

  • 32 percent wanted to correct a functional impairment
  • 37 percent had the surgery only for aesthetic reasons and that
  • 31 percent did so for both functional and aesthetic reasons

Why get a Labiaplasty

The human body is not perfect. Not everyone is completely satisfied with what nature endowed them or what happens to them when they age or go through childbirth. Some women feel self-conscious about their appearance when they are with their partner or when wearing a bathing suit in public.

This aesthetic dissatisfaction can lead to self-esteem issues in women, particularly those with hypertrophy, which is excess labial skin. This lack of confidence in their bodies can affect mental well-being and relationships.

Labiaplasty is not just concerned with aesthetic dissatisfaction – it can also address physiological problems. Some women complain about discomfort, irritation while exercising, or pain during intercourse. A lapiaplasty can help eliminate these issues.

How much does it cost?

Depending on the level of private health insurance and if you get pre-approval from the Medicare Claims Review Panel, labiaplasty can cost as little as $2850. It is best to check with your private health insurance provider to determine whether they will cover this treatment.

Without any sort of private health insurance, a labiaplasty will typically cost between $5,000 and $8,000. It is difficult to get a more precise figure, as it depends on the situation and what work is performed.

Dr. Robert Goldman offers payment plans with low interest rates for patients who are unable to pay for the surgery upfront. I am not allowed to advertise any form of payment plan incentive so think this should be changed to something like: “

Why it’s appealing

Increased confidence – The goal of plastic surgery is, first and foremost, to improve the quality of life. Possibly the greatest benefit of labiaplasty is that it has it can improve self-esteem.

Excess skin on the labia minora and majora can affect a woman’s confidence, especially if the labia are visible through clothing. This can be a real concern for women from a cosmetic standpoint, because the labia are visible through underwear or swimwear. Reducing this skin through a relatively easy procedure not only enhances the aesthetic appearance, but also helps the woman feel less self-conscious.

Reduces pain and discomfort – As previously mentioned, labiaplasty can also assist with functional impairment.  Many patients who chose to receive treatment do so because the redundant labia cause pain and discomfort (rubbing/ chafing) from every day activities like exercise and intercourse.

Quick and painless process – There are two main lapiaplasty techniques – the trim method and the wedge technique. Dr. Robert Goldman specialises in the wedge technique, which has advantages over the trim method because:

  • It helps preserve the natural edge of the labia
  • Results appear more natural
  • The labia heal more quickly and with less pain

The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours and patients will receive a light general anaesthetic. When the excess tissue is removed, the wound is closed with dissolvable sutures.

Increase in popularity – More women are getting labiaplasty now than ever before. This is mainly due to increased awareness of the availability of the procedure. Overall patient satisfaction from labiaplasty, which is 95 percent, is another reason why the surgery has risen in popularity.

Why it’s bad

With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. To ensure full awareness of these inherent dangers it is important for prospective patients to educate themselves and to discuss it properly with their surgeon during the consultation. The main problems that can arise for labiaplasty are:

  • Infection
  • Permanent changes in sensation
  • Ongoing pain
  • Scarring

These risks, however, are unlikely to occur.  post-operative follow-ups are vital in order to avoid any potential problems. The quality of patient care is high in Australia, so avoid opting for medical tourism.

Labiaplasty will also limit patients’ ability to participate in normal activities. Most surgeons will require that patients put aside 4 days for the recovery period, though recovery time may vary depending on circumstances.

Conclusion

Labiaplasty has its critics, but it is important to remember that the surgery is the patient’s choice. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the procedure and to talk to experienced labiaplasty surgeons like Dr. Robert Goldman who can guide you through the process.

This blog has discussed why people decide to have labiaplasty performed while comparing the benefits and disadvantages. We hope the information presented has given you a better understanding of labiaplasty, so that you can make a well-informed decision about whether the surgery is right for your circumstances.

If you are interested in getting more information on labiaplasty, please book a consultation with Dr. Robert Goldman.

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Breast Implant Safety: The Complete Guide

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Choosing to undergo breast augmentation surgery is a big decision, so it is important to consider a number of factors before deciding to have the procedure performed.

As with any procedure, there are health risks associated with breast enhancement surgery. Some of the associated complications are not pleasant. However, there is a very small likelihood of these problems occurring. Risks are further diminished if you have the procedure performed by an accredited surgeon in a fully equipped medical clinic or hospital.

Before actually having surgery, surgeons will discuss the possibility of things going wrong, including symptoms and side effects as well as any recommended corrective treatments/further surgery. Anyone considering this surgery should be proactive and educate himself or herself in order to make an informed decision.

Breast Augmentation Safety in Australia

When it comes to breast augmentations, Australia has high standards in regards to safety, and surgeons must adhere to strict codes, as noted by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the Therapeutic Goods Administration. ( Federal Government body dealing with the licensing of breast implants)

Because of these safety benchmarks, cosmetic surgery performed in Australia is less likely to encounter surgery mishaps than in destination surgeries.

This is a result of two factors.

  1. Highly trained, accredited surgeons.
  2. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is an Australian government body that approves and regulates the use of medical devices like certain types of saline and silicone filled implants. Think of them as an industry watchdog, who monitor the use of implants and investigates any surgery incidents that occur.

Breast Surgery Risks

There are inherent risks associated with any type of surgery.  With breast implants that risk is roughly 1 per cent [source]. Below is a list of issues a patient may encounter from breast augmentation surgery.

Local Complications

This refers to problems that arise around the breast area because of the implants or the surgery itself.

Potential problems include:

  • Chronic breast pain
  • Infection
  • Numbness of breast or nipple
  • Necrosis (skin death)
  • Hematoma (blood collecting around an implant)
  • Seroma (fluid collecting around an implant)
  • Surgical complications

[Source]

Rupture – Surgery, aging or trauma are just some of the factors of breast implant safety that can lead to a tear or hole in the outer shell of the breast implant. This can lead to leaking or deflation of implants. If this occurs, the implants should be removed.

Implant removal – It is estimated that as high as 20 per cent of women who receive a breast implant will have them removed within 8 to 10 years [source] because of complications.

Capsular contracture – This is a breast implant risk in which the area around the implant hardens, which can cause pain due to tightening tissue according to the FDA. There is no known cause of capsular contracture, but it can often follow infection, seroma and hematoma. If a surgeon classifies capsular contracture as severe, additional surgery may be required to remedy the problem. [Source]

silicone implants

Medical Tourism

Despite the financial incentive to have breast enhancement performed overseas, it is much safer to have it done in Australia. The likelihood of needing follow-up surgeries after an overseas breast augmentation may also negate the cost benefit.

What are the risks?

  • Increased rate of infection
  • Hospitals and medical clinics are not equipped for emergencies
  • Surgeons are not accredited to Australian standards
  • Much shorter process
  • Medical ‘holiday’ is restricted because of the time it takes to recover
  • English is second language, making it difficult to communicate with the surgeon and medical staff
  • If something goes wrong, it is hard to understand what recourse can be taken because the customs and laws are unfamiliar
  • No post-operative follow up

For more information, check out this video on the potential risks of breast augmentation surgery.

Despite it being a cheap and popular option for Australians—thousands of people flock to the shore of Thailand each year to have the procedure performed—the quality of the cosmetic enhancement tends to be better in Australia. There are also fewer risks.

For more information about why medical tourism is a risky endeavour, please refer to Medical Tourism: a cost/benefit analysis.

Controversy

There has been a great deal of media attention centred around the question: are breast implants safe? Over the past few decades, controversy has arisen linking silicone-filled breast implants with certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. There is, however, no supporting evidence to confirm this negative misconception regarding breast implants and health.

Recovery

Breast enhancement is major procedure and requires significant recovery time. During the first few days to weeks, swelling, pain, discomfort and bleeding are to be expected. Medication and a surgical bra will be provided to alleviate post-operative pain.

When the swelling begins to subside, the patient will be able to be more active, but will still need to avoid strenuous exercise. After 2-3 months, healing should plateau and the patient will be able to gradually introduce more intense exercise into their routine.

To help facilitate healing and reduce the appearance of scarring, it is best to follow the surgeon’s advice exactly. Doing so will also decrease the risk of post-operative complications.

Want a trusted surgeon?

To minimise risk, it is prudent to use an experienced and skilled cosmetic surgeon to perform a breast augmentation. Robert Goldman is a surgeon with those credentials and is a registered specialist surgeon.

He provides his patients with the highest level of care and ongoing support for the best possible results.

If you would like more information about the risks associated with breast augmentations, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

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The 4 Factors Affecting Post Breast Surgery Outcomes

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Thousands of women every year undergo cosmetic breast surgeries for a number of reasons.

Results differ from person to person but your ultimate results of a cosmetic breast surgery depend on many factors, including which operation you are having. This article will discuss the outcomes you may experience post-surgery as well as the factors affecting these outcomes.

There are four main factors that affect the outcome of your breast surgery.

These factors are as follows:

1. Your natural breasts at the time of the surgery

This is determined by the anatomy or structure of the breasts themselves which is genetically determined. For example, some young women who are not overweight and have never been pregnant will have slightly droopy breasts, others have a breast shape called “tubular”. The components of all breasts are breast skin, milk glands, breast fat, and the support ligaments of the breast.

A small percentage of women have variations in the arrangement of their underlying chest wall structure. On occasion, the breast bone may be more prominent: it can protrude out in front of the ribs or be sunken in from the ribs.

The breast bone may be wider than average which then means the natural cleavage is wider and less pronounced. In this situation, cleavage after the surgery will be less dramatic than expected. The junction between the ribs and breastbone may also be prominent and this may remain after the procedure.

The most important factor affecting your results is whether or not you have had children. Pregnancies almost always lead to stretched breast skin, as well as loss of breast gland and breast fat volume. The supporting ligaments of the breast are stretched as hormones change during pregnancy. This results in sag or droop.

Women who have never been pregnant will usually have a tight breast skin envelope, as the breast gland and breast fat has not been altered by the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Therefore, women who have not been pregnant will have a tighter, more “perky” look and result. Women who have been pregnant will usual have a degree of droop, which is natural. Overweight women will also have similar post-surgery outcomes to women who have been pregnant.

2. Your actual breast measurements

Your measurements will be taken at the consultation. This will help to determine the most suitable implants for breast augmentations. It’s important that you are thoroughly and accurately measured in order for the implants to be proportionate to your body. There is a range of implant options within your size range, with varying materials, shapes, and sizes.

Your consultation will include an implant sizing exercise, determined by your measurements at the time. If you lose weight or become pregnant after the surgery, the results can be very different from what you expect.

tape measure

Weight loss after cosmetic breast surgery causes the volume of the breasts to decrease, due to loss of breast fat. Implants then become the wrong size, as the breasts have changed. Other implant-related complications also become more likely. On the other hand, weight gain will result in an increase in breast size and may cause droop to become worse.

3. Your post-surgery lifestyle.

The amount and frequency of exercise you do can have a negative impact on your post breast surgery outcome. A drop in overall body fat percentage will result in a decrease in breast volume.

Of all exercises, running causes the most complications with implants. Women who undergo repeated physical bending and general domestic duties may experience in implant complications such as rippling.

4. Surgery results

Dr Goldman’s surgery is procedural in that the actual operation is standard. There may be very slight variations based on your breast structure and where the natural breasts are located on the chest wall.

Ultimately, the results depend on your breasts and chest wall structure as well as your choice of implant. A breast augmentation, lift, or reduction will not give you a “new” pair of breasts; the surgery will modify and hopefully improve your existing breasts.

Dr Goldman always does his best to ensure that your surgery’s results will be as good as possible for you at the time of the surgery. Dr Goldman and his team go above and beyond to meet your expectations.

Breast-Augmentation

It is important to note that, as with any surgical procedure, flawless results expected but are not guaranteed. The end result may be different than you expected, in which case corrective surgery may be required.

The assessment and sizing for a breast augmentation (implants), and the assessment and markings for a breast lift or reduction is performed according to your measurements and proportions at the time. If you undergo any changes in the physical proportions of your body, the outcome related to your breasts will change. The human body is dynamic and undergoes continual change. If you alter your lifestyle to further this change, the results of cosmetic breast surgery will also change, usually for the worse.

Other factors to consider:

  • A review of recent scientific research has now established that there is no evidence that silicone gel-filled breast implants cause disease.
  • Dr Goldman does not guarantee the implants used. ALL implants have been licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the major makes carry a manufacturer’s guarantee.
  • Rejection of silicone breast implants without any other factors has not been reported.
  • Breast pathology changes may occur independently of the implants and occur in the same frequency as women without breast implants.
  • No guarantee has been given as to size and shape of the breast. Good results are expected but not guaranteed.
  • In some patients the margin of the implants can be felt. This occurs usually with weight loss/decrease in body fat percentage.
  • The incision will heal with a scar which will be permanent.
  • 25% or 1 in 4 women will require surgical maintenance of their breasts and implants after an augmentation.
  • Pregnancy is not recommended for at least six months after breast surgery. Should you become pregnant after your augmentation, there is a likelihood your breasts will deteriorate.

If you would like more information on post-surgery outcomes and the breast enhancement process, contact Dr Robert Goldman today or check out his cosmetic surgery blog.

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Breast lift, reduction, and augmentation: What you need to know

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There are 3 operations that are considered in terms of improving a woman’s breasts:

  1. Breast Augmentation (enlargement)
  2. Mastopexy (the technical name for a breast lift)
  3. Breast Reduction

While the decision as to which operation is best or most suitable may seem straightforward it can, in fact, be quite complex. Women’s breasts are subject to the changes of puberty, ageing, pregnancy, breast feeding, weight gain or weight loss.

The breast is dynamic and changes throughout the course of a woman’s life. Dr Goldman will perform a thorough clinical assessment of your breasts which includes a lump check, performance of a series of measurements of the breasts and their position on the chest wall. He will also demonstrate and point out certain benchmarks that are used to determine whether a lift is necessary or not.

Do I need a breast lift?

There is no direct answer; ptosis (AKA breast droop) is a subjective problem and the severity is measurable.

On occasion, women want a breast lift when the degree of droop does not warrant a lift. On the other hand, some women need a lift but refuse to accept the breast scarring associated with this. Dr Goldman will recommend a breast lift if there are no other acceptable alternatives. However, especially in young women, he tries to find the alternative.

Risks associated with breast lifts

On very rare occasions, breast lifts (as well as reductions) can result in the loss of the nipple. The nipple complex is very sensitive to inadequate blood supply and this is a potential risk associated with a breast lift and reduction.

When breast surgery actually cuts into breast glands and ducts, 50% of the women will not be able to breast feed.

Breast lift alternatives

It is common for women to believe they need a lift when in fact, a better, safer, and cheaper alternative is a breast augmentation. This will allow more time before a lift may ultimately need to be performed, especially in women who are yet to have children. This risks of loss of the nipple go up significantly if a second lift or reduction is performed.

In addition, breast lifts and reductions can be performed either with or without implants. Implants are generally used for shape, as they yield a better overall result. This can be a personal choice but Dr Goldman will also make the necessary recommendations.

Breast lift vs breast reduction

The distinctions between a breast lift and breast reduction are blurring. Both operations require the exact same incision pattern and, therefore, the same scarring pattern.

The modern operation and incision pattern is referred to as a vertical mammoplasty (either lift or reduction).

Breast surgery lollipop incision

“Lollipop” incision

Here, the incision pattern is around the areolar skin and a vertical down the front of the breast in the middle into the crease of the breast.

The “old fashioned” version resulted in the same incision pattern around the areola and down the front but also included a long horizontal scar in the crease of the breast. This often was visible both at the cleavage side as well as the outer side of the breast.

Breast surgery anchor incision

“Anchor” incision

Dr Goldman refers to the vertical pattern as a “lollipop” scar and the “old fashioned” op as an “anchor” scar.

On occasion, if the breasts are very large (G cup or bigger), the anchor pattern reduction may still be necessary.

Should you get a breast lift with or without implants?

If the lift is going to be performed with implants, a small amount of breast tissue will typically be removed. Even if no implants are going to be used, it is still common for some breast tissue and skin to be removed. The difference between a breast reduction and lift also relates to how much breast the surgeon will be removing.

The actual “internal” reconstruction technique (stitching method) used is becoming more and more similar in that it is more robust using a reduction technique than a lift technique. A breast reduction is still a very efficient lift operation.

In 2016, some of the world experts in cosmetic breast surgery are using the term “Breast Reduction-Augmentation” to describe a breast lift with implants or a breast reduction with implants.

Dr Goldman has coined the term “Plication Augmentation Mammoplasty”, which is a procedure involving a breast augmentation with tightening and lifting.

Other options

In recent times, specialist surgeons have started to perform fat transfer injecting to enhance and improve the shape and size of women’s breasts. This involves liposuction (often of the abdomen) to harvest the fat which is then prepared and transferred into the breast.

This is not yet licensed for use as a replacement for implants in breast augmentations but is used and an additional technique for lifts and reductions.

Fat transfer injecting carries significant risks and complications that can interfere with the detection of breast cancer at a later time.

In summary, although there are currently 3 main cosmetic breast operations, this may eventually be reduced to 2: breast augmentation and lift/reduction with or without implants.

For a consultation or for more information on cosmetic breast procedures, please contact Dr Robert Goldman.

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