Breast Lift with Implants in Sydney with Dr Kernohan
Breast lift with implants is known in medical terms as a Mastopexy with implants or Breast Augmentation Mastopexy. The Breast Augmentation with lift procedure is designed to add volume to the breasts whilst lifting the breast tissue higher on the chest wall.
Surgery can change the aspect of the breasts after ageing, weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it is may be beneficial for women experiencing breast ptosis in general.
Dr Michael Kernohan is an experienced Sydney plastic surgeon and he performs the breast lift with implants surgery in his cosmetic clinics in Sydney’s Southwest Suburbs and the Southern Highlands.
Along with adding volume and firmness to your breasts, Dr Kernohan can also perform corrections to your nipples & areola and reposition them to your desired position.
CLICK to Download Dr Michael Kernohan Cosmetic Breast Surgery Guide
Why Get a Breast Lift with Implants?
A Breast lift may be suitable for you if you:
- Have skin ptosis (excess, loose skin)
- Notice that your breasts have changed in terms of position and volume after weight loss, ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding or other lifestyle factors
- Are dissatisfied with the size or shape of your nipples or areolas
Benefits of Getting a Breast Lift with Implants
Let’s look at some of the potential benefits of getting a breast lift with implants:
1. Breast Volume
By increasing breast volume, the procedure can help achieve a more balanced and proportional appearance, which may align with the individual’s aesthetic goals.
2. Altered Breast Contour and Shape
Your breast contour and shape will change to suit your aesthetic desires.
Breast Lift with Implant Technique
There are multiple techniques Dr Kernohan may use for a breast lift with implants.
Dr Kernohan will discuss with you the placement of the incisions and the suitable technique for your particular case during the initial consultation. The following are the most used techniques:
The Anchor Breast Lift Incision – Traditional technique
As the name suggests, the incision pattern resembles an anchor. It essentially involves a large scar under the breast and is one of the most common techniques used in Australia as it allows for larger implants to be inserted into the breasts. The incisions are positioned in the fold under the breasts – (where the breasts meet the chest wall) and vertically toward the edge of the areolas.
The Lollipop Lift Incision or Lejour Technique
When the Lollipop Lift is performed, the incision made is in the shape of a lollipop. One doughnut shape incision is made around the areola and another incision runs straight down from the areola to the breast crease.
Other Techniques – Crescent Breast Lift or Benelli Breast lift
These Breast Lift incision techniques have shorter scars but can only be used for cases of mild breast ptosis. These techniques are not often used by Australian plastic surgeons.
Breast Lift with Implant Procedure
The technique used for surgery depends on your personal characteristics and the size of implants being implanted.
Generally speaking, the breast lift with implants procedure involves the following steps:
- Prior to the surgery, Dr Kernohan will mark where the incisions will be made on your body while you are standing.
- After this, general anaesthesia is administered
- Dr Kernohan will then make the incisions
- A pocket is created inside the breasts (either under the mammary gland tissue, under the chest muscles or in an in-between position called a dual-plane)
- The surgeon inserts the implants into these pockets
- The excess skin is removed, enlarged areolas are corrected
- Then the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches, followed by a bandage and surgical tape
Recovery from Breast Lift with Implants
Dr Kernohan will give you a list of very specific instructions to follow after the surgery. It is important to stick to all the instructions given by your surgeon if you want to optimise your recovery.
Expect to have swelling, soreness and discomfort after surgery. These side effects are normal and will subside within a few weeks, provided that you follow the instructions. Most patients are able to go back to work within 2-3 weeks after the surgery. In the first days after the surgery, it is best to restrict your activity and allow your body to heal.
Below is a list of instructions you will generally receive to follow:
- Take all the medications given by your surgeon to help with the pain and discomfort
- Go to your post-op appointments with the plastic surgeon to allow him to evaluate the healing process.
- Wear a surgical bra as instructed by your surgeon for at least six weeks to support your breasts. Do not go braless
- Take care of your incisions as per the instructions given by your surgeon
- Do not bathe in hot water, dive in swimming pools or visit saunas as it can increase the risk of infections
- Do not take blood-thinning medications or herbal supplements as they can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding after the surgery
- Sleep on your back with a few pillows propped up underneath you to help reduce the swelling
- Keep your incisions clean and dry at all times
- Avoid exposing your scars to the sun for at least a year after getting the surgery done
- Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet that is low in sodium
- Aim to sleep at least 8 hours a day and take small naps throughout the day
- Avoid strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks following the surgery
- Do not smoke as it can hinder the healing process and trigger unwanted complications such as wound dehiscence or skin necrosis
- If you notice any signs of infections post-op, immediately get in touch with your surgeon
- Make sure to have someone to help you around the house for at least the first two days after the surgery.
Risks and Complications after the Breast Lift with Implants
A breast lift with implants is a complex surgery – involving both a breast lift and breast implants. It can be performed as a one-stage or two-stage procedure.
Just like any other surgical procedure, it is associated with potential risks and complications. To reduce the risks, make sure to prepare for the surgery and follow Dr Kernohan’s instructions for post-surgery care.
Please read Dr Kernohan’s Risks of Surgery page for more information
How Much Is a Breast Lift with Implant Surgery in Sydney?
The average cost of breast lift with implants is around $12,000 to $15,000 in Australia. The cost can be different from one surgeon to the other, depending on the surgeon’s experience, the implants used and several other factors.
A lower cost is not necessarily a good deal as it can mean that lower quality implants are used or the surgeon is not experienced or qualified as a specialist plastic surgeon.
Visit Dr Kernohan’s pricing page for more information or to get an estimate for your procedure contact his team now.
Will Medicare Cover the Costs of a Breast Lift with Implants?
As it is an elective procedure, Medicare and insurance companies don’t usually cover the costs. Medicare and insurance companies may only cover some of the cost for women who have had a mastectomy due to breast cancer.
Funding Your Breast Lift with Implants Surgery in Sydney
If you are getting a breast lift with implants for aesthetic reasons, you can discuss your payment options with your surgeon during the consultation.
How to Find the Right Surgeon for a Breast Lift with Implants in Sydney
To make sure you achieve satisfactory results, you should first and foremost make sure you have chosen the right plastic surgeon for your breast lift with implants in Sydney. If you are confident you chose well in terms of the surgeon performing the procedure, all you have to do after this is just follow their recommendations for after-surgery care.
Consider these points prior to selecting a surgeon for your breast lift with implants:
- Make sure that the surgeon is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Pay close attention to the experience of the surgeon. Make sure that breast lift with implants is one of the procedures they perform on a regular basis
- If the surgeon has hospital privileges; it is a major plus and speaks volumes about the credibility of the surgeon
- Always look for before and after pictures of patients that have undergone the procedure with the surgeon. This gives you an idea on what they can achieve
- Make sure you can communicate efficiently and honestly with the plastic surgeon before booking the surgery
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before the Breast Lift with Implants Surgery
To make sure you understand all the details about getting a breast lift with implants, ask your plastic surgeon these questions:
- How often do you perform the breast lift with implants surgery?
- Will you be involved during the recovery phase of the breast lift with implants?
- How do you handle any complications that could occur during a breast lift with implants surgery?
- What makes me the right candidate for breast lift with implants?
- Can I see before and after pictures of your past clients with a similar body type to mine?
- How do you plan to hide my scars after breast lift with an implant? Do you recommend any other procedures for me?
- How involved will you be during the recovery phase?
- What If I experience any complications during the recovery phase?
- Can you recommend me any procedures to treat the scars after the surgery?
- Can you recommend me a recovery facility? Or can I take care of myself at home?
Further Reading and Medical References
- ASPS Aust page on Breast Implants with a Lift
- ASPS USA blog on combining breast lifts with breast implants
Breast Lift with Implants FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the breast lift with implants surgery:
