Women with small breasts, whose breasts have changed shape over time or have reduced in size after pregnancy may find breast augmentation (enlargement) beneficial
Achieving excellent outcomes using the highest-quality breast implants, usually containing form-stable or cohesive silicone gel, is the foremost objective of your surgeon; low-grade or inferior-quality products are never used.
Your surgeon will recommend an implant with the shape and projection that will achieve your desired outcome and suit your figure best to create a pleasing, balanced appearance in proportion to your shoulders, rib cage and hips.
Our Plastic Surgeons
Skilled and experienced plastic surgery experts
All four specialists are New Zealand trained plastic and cosmetic surgeons with a vast surgical experience over many years and many thousands of patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation may be desired for a variety of reasons, including:
- Long-term dissatisfaction with breast size.
- Lack of proportion in body shape.
- To regain or enhance breast size after having children or losing weight.
- Correction of uneven or malformed breasts.
- Restoration of symmetry after breast cancer surgery.
Where can I get more information?
We encourage you to speak with one of our specialist plastic surgery nurses before meeting with your surgeon. You can discuss any expectations or concerns you may have regarding breast augmentation and she will give you detailed information about the procedure, postoperative care and recovery. Before and after photographs of breast augmentation patients will be shown to you to help you understand the results that can be achieved.
For further information, please contact us to request a brochure or to arrange a personal consultation.
What does a surgical consultation involve?
During your consultation, the surgeon will discuss what is achievable aesthetically, taking into account a number of important factors that impact on the desired result:
- What is the overall quality of your breast tissue and will a breast lift (mastopexy) also be necessary?
- Where should the incisions be hidden?
- Should the implant be positioned under or above the chest muscles?
Your surgeon will also ask about your medical history, examine your breasts, and photograph and measure you. It may be recommended that you have a mammogram prior to your operation, depending on your age and family history.
What happens during the surgery?
Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anaesthesia. A pocket is made under each breast into which the implants are inserted to achieve the desired aesthetic effect. Your surgeon will also check the appearance of the breast while sitting up and lying down, before completing the surgery, at which time dressings or bandages are applied. Local anaesthetic is injected during the operation to assist with post-operative pain relief. A surgical drain is not usually needed.
What will my recovery involve?
Some initial swelling, discomfort and firmness of the breast is normal and should be expected after your operation; pain relief will be prescribed to manage this. Most commonly, breast augmentation is a day surgery, but in some circumstances your surgeon may recommend an overnight hospital stay.
Within a few days of your surgery you will return for a check-up, during which tape will be applied to the healing wounds to help reduce scar formation. A small scar will remain under the breast fold, the appearance of which will gradually improve over 3–9 months.
Instructions on care of your surgical site will be provided at your follow-up visit. You will need to wear your surgical support bra for 3–4 weeks post-surgery and the swelling normally takes up to 6 weeks to settle; your stitches should dissolve over approximately 3 months.
When can I return to my normal activities?
Resumption of activities such as work and exercise should be at a slow, gradual pace. Your occupation will dictate the period of time you will be away from work. After 1 week, you can participate in light exercise (not involving your arms), but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for between 4 and 6 weeks.
What will the final look and feel of my breasts be?
It is normal to experience swelling and for your breasts to feel firm for the first few weeks after surgery. As this settles over time, a natural look and feel is achieved.
Are there risks or long-term side effects?
All surgery, including breast augmentation, carries the potential for complications, including reactions to anaesthesia, infection, blood accumulation or unanticipated scarring; however, these problems have a very low incidence in healthy, cooperative patients.
While there has been speculation about potential associations of arthritis, muscle and collagen disorders and silicone-filled devices, there is no evidence that silicone-filled devices cause these diseases. Silicone breast implants have been shown not to carry significantly higher risks for connective-tissue or immune-related diseases in several large studies.
Your surgeon will discuss this topic with you and will provide you with detailed information booklets during the consultation process.
Will my breast implants last for my lifetime?
Although modern breast implants have a very low rupture rate, they should not be considered lifetime devices. Spontaneous implant failure or rupture can occur and, less commonly, direct trauma/injury to the chest can cause implant failure. Additional surgery is needed to remove and replace an implant that has failed.
Can I still monitor my own breast health after the surgery?
The presence of a breast implant does not hinder routine clinical or physical examination and breast cancer can still be detected in augmented breasts. There is no connection between breast augmentation and breast cancer.
Women with breast implants can perform routine breast self-examinations. Although the implant is placed beneath the breast (usually under the muscle on the chest wall), the breasts will feel different during self-examination so it is useful to have your surgeon help set new health baselines and identify what you are feeling for.
As well as monthly self-examinations, you should visit your GP or surgeon annually for a professional breast examination.
Are mammograms safe after breast augmentation?
It is still safe to have a mammogram after breast augmentation. However, it is important that the radiologist is aware of your implants prior to the procedure and that they are familiar with mammography of augmented breasts:
- There have been several reports of implants rupturing when the breast is compressed for mammography.
- A displacement technique (the Eklund technique) is used when performing mammography in women with implants in order to get a better image of the front part of each breast.
Your surgeon can suggest a suitable specialist.
What will the surgery cost?
For an indication of how much you can expect your surgery to cost, please see our information on Procedure Pricing.
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