Breast Reconstruction Australia

Breast Reconstruction / MastectomyMastectomy for breast cancer can leave a woman not only physically distressed but psychologically wounded as well. Dr. Hodgkinson has a special sensitivity for these patients and has over 30 years experience in reconstructing women’s breasts using a multitude of techniques. These techniques range from the use of an implant to flap surgery using the patient’s own tissues to create a new breast mound. Breast Reconstruction TechniquesThe two common types of flaps are the latissmus flap which takes tissues from the back and the tram flap which takes tissues from the stomach so that the woman receives a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty at the same time that she received a new breast created from her own tissues. In the case that the remaining breast is drooping or too large a breast lift or reduction can be carried out on the remaining breast at the same time as the reconstruction to create an overall more attractive and symmetrical appearance. Patients who have not undergone radiation therapy can also be candidates for tissue expansion. The nipple areolar complex is also reconstructed as a secondary procedure for all women requiring reconstruction.

Breast Augmentation, Enhancement and EnlargementIn creating beautiful breasts via breast augmentation using breast implants, the chest wall and tissues of the patient must be measured and assessed to ensure that the desired size of implant can be adequately carried by the patient without implant show or potential complications. The choice of implant is important and whenever possible, the saline implant is preferred as it has the best and longest running track record of implant safety even though there are cases in which a gel implant is indicated such as in very skinny women with very bony chest walls and/or thin skin. Another advantage of the saline implant is that it can be inserted through a much smaller incision and from any incision site: under the breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar), under the arm (transaxillary) and even through the belly button (transumbilical). Of paramount importance in all these decisions is the surgeon’s expertise to meet the patient’s expectations with these options as neither any single implant nor any one incision site is right for everyone In restoring the beauty of breast shape the procedures include reduction, lifting and reconstructing. The basic principles of reducing and lifting breasts are similar in that the goal is the remove excess tissue or skin and restore and elevate a sagging breast to a more natural position most commonly due to their genetically predisposed large size, substantial weight loss or weight gain and the effects of child birth.

About Breast Lifts / MastopexyOver the years, factors such as weight loss or gain, pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts-at least for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume, for example, after pregnancy, breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both improve their volume, shape, firmness and their size. Minimal Incision MastopexyTraditionally breast lifting was performed with the same anchor shaped scars as breast reduction that go around the nipple and vertically from the nipple to the inframammary fold where the scars would follow the fold for a few centimeters or inches depending on the amount of breast tissue and sag. Lifting today, however, can be performed with just a peri-areolar incision around the nipple complex. Through this incision, the tissue can be lifted and tightened, the nipple can be moved to its appropriate position and the breast can be augmented with an implant if desired. This type of minimal incision mastopexy is also commonly known as the Benneli Mastopexy or the Goes Mastopexy after the French and Brazilian surgeons respectively who are credited with the development of the procedure. To perform this type of mastopexy a surgeon must have vast experience in this specific operation as it is more technically demanding than the traditional mastopexy with anchor scarring. Dr. Hodgkinson has this expertise and has been performing this procedure for nearly 15 years.

Dr Liew’s specialty is in Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, including having completed a fellowship at the renowned East Grinstead Queen Victoria Hospital, in the UK.  With its history in providing innovative life-changing reconstructive surgery and wholistic patient care Dr Liew has embraced these elements of surgical skill and a wholistic patient care throughout the patient surgical journey in his Melbourne Surgical Practice.   In addition to his attention to detail and medical expertise Dr Liew is passionate about the safety and quality of the implant product and only uses prestige implants that have over 50 years of extensive clinical testing.  You can be assured that every single implant has been individually quality tested before being inserted.  This adherence to surgical precision and implant quality offers patients the highest level of safety for breast augmentation surgery. Dr Liew is a Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon, so all of our patients have the procedure performed as an inpatient in a registered hospital under general anaesthetic.  Patients remain in hospital for one to two days.  Most patients are discharged home without drains which are removed during their inpatient stay. Recovery time is about 2 -3 weeks with no heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks.