Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Breast Lift Melbourne Australia

Breast lift Melbourne Australia is a surgical procedure that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts. It is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, and is usually combined with a breast augmentation. It may also be performed to correct asymmetry, or to make an implant appear more natural. Breast lifts are generally performed under general anesthesia, and can be performed as an outpatient procedure at many of our clinics in Melbourne, Australia.

Breast lift Melbourne Australia can help you improve the look of your breasts after pregnancy, weight loss or age has caused them to sag. The procedure can also help you achieve the appearance you desire if you’re dissatisfied with the size or shape of your breasts. In addition to lifting sagging skin, breast augmentation surgery can also enlarge your breasts by inserting silicone or saline implants into the pocket created by removing excess skin and fat from around your nipple area.

In this article, we’ll also examine breast lift medicare and breast lift geelong.

Breast Lift Melbourne Australia

A breast lift is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts. It’s usually done to improve the shape of your breasts after pregnancy or weight loss. The most common type of breast lift is called an anchor lift, which involves removing excess skin from the lower part of your breast, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning your nipple and areola.

Why Should You Consider A Breast Lift?

Breasts naturally go through changes as you get older. This can include:

• Sagging, which occurs when fat is lost from the breast area• Drooping or “ptosis,” where the nipple falls below its normal position on the breast• Narrowing of the space between the breasts (the cleavage)

A breast lift can help address these issues by removing excess skin and tightening up surrounding tissue. In some cases, it may also be necessary to reposition your nipples and areolae (the darker pigmented area around them).

BREAST LIFT

Breasts can change over time, as events like pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight fluctuations take their toll. Even the natural process of ageing can result in sagging and drooping of the breasts, changing your body profile and affecting your self-confidence and even the way your clothes fit. While you cannot do much to prevent these changes from occurring, you can address these concerns after they arise with surgical procedures that offer dramatic, long-lasting results.

A breast lift or mastopexy surgically restores sagging breasts to a more youthful position on the chest for a more aesthetically pleasing body contour. The procedure is popular among women who have lost their shapely curves due to any of the factors listed above. In addition to adjusting the breast profile, this surgery can also be used to remove loose skin that may be exacerbating the drooping effect and negatively changing the appearance of the breasts overall. The nipples and areola may also be repositioned to create a natural and symmetrically beautiful breast proportion.

Dr Damon Thomas performs breast lifts for his patients in Melbourne. He may recommend a breast lift alone or in conjunction with other types of breast enhancement surgery to create the most beautiful results for his female patients. If you are unhappy with changes that have occurred to your breasts, Dr Thomas can help you restore the curves and body profile of your younger days with results that last for many years.

CANDIDATES FOR BREAST LIFT SURGERY

Women who are good candidates for breast lift surgery may have one or more of these concerns:

  • Breasts that have lost their perky appearance due to pregnancy or ageing
  • Significant ptosis (breast sagging) that is causing skin discomfort and embarrassment
  • Breasts that appear deflated after pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Breasts that have lost their shape after massive weight loss
  • Development of loose skin that exacerbates the drooping and creates an aged appearance
  • Nipples and areolas that point downward instead of forward
  • Breasts that are asymmetrical or in different positions

A breast lift tends to work best on medium-sized breasts. If the breasts are too large and heavy, a breast reduction may be recommended in combination with the breast lift to achieve the best possible results. Women with smaller breasts may benefit from augmentation using implants at the same time as their lift, to add fullness to enhance their upper body profile. The combination of a lift and augmentation may also be a good option for women who think their breasts begin to look “deflated” over time due to loose skin and loss of tissue.

OPTIONS IN A BREAST LIFT

There are different techniques used for a breast lift, which tend to vary based on the amount of correction required. The most common incision options include:

Lollipop Incision

The lollipop incision technique is a common approach used for breast lifts, particularly in cases of mild to moderate ptosis. This type of incision encircles the areola and extends vertically down the lower portion of the breast, creating a shape that resembles a lollipop. While there is some visible scarring associated with this technique, it is generally less noticeable than with other types of incisions due to the placement of the incision within the pigmented area of the areola.

One of the key advantages of the lollipop incision is its ability to address sagging breasts without the need for more extensive surgical techniques. This can be especially beneficial for patients who have mild ptosis and are looking to restore a more youthful and lifted appearance to their breasts. The incision pattern allows for the removal of excess skin and tissue, as well as the reshaping and repositioning of the breast tissue to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing result.

It is important to note that while the lollipop incision is effective for many patients, it may not be suitable for those with more severe cases of ptosis. In these instances, a different incision technique, such as the anchor incision, may be more appropriate to achieve the desired results. Additionally, the success of a lollipop lift procedure depends on various factors, including the individual’s breast anatomy, skin quality, and desired outcome.

Overall, the lollipop incision technique offers a minimally invasive option for breast lift surgery, with the potential for natural-looking results and minimal scarring. Patients considering this procedure should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the most suitable approach based on their unique needs and goals. By choosing an experienced and skilled surgeon, patients can improve their chances of achieving a successful outcome with the lollipop incision technique.

Anchor Incision

When more correction is needed, Dr Thomas may combine the lollipop incision with a third opening across the lower breast crease. This technique is known as the anchor incision since the formation is similar to a ship’s anchor. The incision underneath the breast is placed into the natural folds of skin, which further minimises noticeable scarring after surgery.

The right incision for you will depend on how much lift you require, whether the nipple and areola need to be repositioned, and whether other breast enhancement procedures will be performed at the same time. Dr Thomas will carefully evaluate your situation and desired results to help you determine the best surgical technique for your precise needs. You can also rest assured that he will use advanced surgical techniques and meticulous sutures to prevent excessive scarring from developing after your procedure.

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

Dr Thomas performs breast lift surgery under general anaesthesia, in one of the accredited hospitals near his office. The procedure should take about one to two hours, depending on the amount of correction that will be done and whether other enhancements will be performed at the same time. During the surgery, Dr Thomas will remove excess loose skin, while repositioning the breasts at a slightly higher profile on the chest wall. While the surgery does not change the position of the base of the breast, it has a dramatic impact on the overall contour. Excess skin is also removed to create a smoother, more youthful contour.

Dr Thomas performs many of his breast lifts as day procedures, which means you will be allowed to return home after a short time in recovery. Some patients may opt for an overnight stay in the hospital, providing them the additional opportunity for rest and monitoring before heading home. An overnight stay is particularly helpful for patients who are in need of more correction or are choosing to have more than one procedure performed at one time. Because general anaesthesia is nearly always used, you will need to have someone drive you home and remain with you for the first day or two after your surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY

After breast lift surgery, Dr Thomas will provide you with compression garments to wear that hold the breasts in their new position and minimise swelling. Discomfort during the early days following surgery is to be expected and can be managed with prescribed oral pain medication. Most patients return to regular activities within one week following their procedure, although more strenuous activities may be restricted for longer. Dr Thomas and his team will monitor your recovery process and advise you on when to resume activities based on your individual healing progress.

Incisions from breast lift surgery will also take some time to heal and for the scarring to become less noticeable. Most patients find that it can take up to one year for the scars to settle into their more permanent appearance. Dr Thomas will provide instructions on wound care that will help your incisions heal well and ensure the scarring is as unobtrusive as possible.

How much does a Breast Lift cost in Melbourne?

Guide to Melbourne Breast Lift Prices – Breast Lift Surgery Cost

When it comes to Breast Lift surgery or a Boob Lift there are a number of variables that can impact on the price. Like a lot of plastic surgery, there is a major price variance when it comes to getting a Breast Lift. This is because there are multiple factors to take into account including your surgeon’s qualifications, the technique they use and where your surgery is carried out. Also whether Medicare or your Private Health Fund will cover some of your costs.

2020 Breast Lift prices in Melbourne range can from

  • $8,500 – $12,000 for a low-cost Breast Lift surgery price
  • $12,000 – $15,000 for mid-range Breast Lift surgery
  • $15,000 and above for premier Breast Lift surgery

Why do Breast Lift prices vary?

There are 7 main factors that impact the cost of Breast Lift Surgery – Who, What, Where, When, Why, How and You;

1. WHO will be performing your surgery?

  • Is it a GP Doctor or ‘cosmetic surgeon’, a General Surgeon, a Dermatologist or a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?
  • What is their level of expertise and experience – are they highly regarded by their peers?
  • What are their professional accreditations and training qualifications? Are they FRACS, ASPS or ASAPS?
  • What are their technical skills; can they show you many photos of their previous patient results?
  • How much long-term patient experience do they have –  how long have they been performing this procedure?

2. WHAT exactly is included in Your Surgery Quote / Price Estimate?

  • Not all quotes include all the costs you will incur for your Breast lift surgery. Are recovery aids, post-operative care, medication, surgery garments, facility fees, anaesthetic cost and other things covered?
  • It’s important that you carefully review your quote. So, you can clear up any uncertainties you might have and make sure you aren’t hit with unexpected additions to your bill, post-surgery.

3. WHERE will your surgery be performed?

  • Will your surgery take place in a premier accredited hospital under General Anaesthetic with an overnight hospital stay for observation and pain management?
  • Will you be “awake” during your Breast lift using local anaesthetic and sedatives in a clinic backroom or day clinic? – While this option is cheaper it puts you in a higher risk category. Which can lead to increased discomfort and chance of complications
    • You need to ask yourself if you want to be ‘awake’ during your breast lift, or would you prefer to be in a hospital under General Anaesthesia.

4. WHEN will your surgery be performed?

  • Are you planning your surgery several months or even further in advance? If you are you need to be aware that prices and Medicare rebate criteria can change. You should consider talking to a member of our Patient Care Team about criteria for medically-indicated breast surgery as well as hospital fees.

5. WHY are you having the procedure?

  • Are you having a Breast lift procedure, solely for cosmetic reasons or is it a medically-indicated surgery?
  • If you are having your Mastopexy surgery for corrective/medical reasons it might increase the cost of your procedure as it may be more complicated than a standard Breast lift.

6. HOW will your surgery be planned and performed?

  • How long is your Breast lift procedure going to take? Has your surgeon fully customised, planned and tailored your surgery to you?
  • Breast Lift surgery generally takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on the complexity of the procedure. (new doctors up to 4 hours). Of course, the time it takes to complete your procedure depends on what type of breast surgery have you chosen.
  • There are many variations and the type you choose can affect how long you spend in the theatre.
  • Some newer doctors are much slower than others and can take a long time in theatre. Experienced Surgeons are generally faster in theatre as their surgery is more organised and systematic. This reduces risk.
  • Breast lifts that are more complex need more planning before surgery. They also require more surgical skill and potentially need more theatre time. All these factors can result in a higher cost.
  • Complex breast lift procedures can also require more time, this can result in a higher cost. Because, complex surgery needs higher surgical skill, more pre-surgery planning and potentially more time in the operating room.

7. YOU – Complexity of your case

  • Your Breast lift Price may reflect the complexity of your case, your anatomy, pre-existing medical conditions or whether it is a revisionary abdominal surgery
  • The cost of a Mastopexy depends on multiple factors. It is not just your surgeons level of experience, but also on what you want and what you need, this includes but is not limited to;

Animation showing Breast Lift without implants Surgery

Note that the Older-style Anchor Technique used – Not newer LeJour Lollipop technique used by Dr Rubinstein

Average Price Ranges for Breast Lift in Melbourne

If you’ve done research into the cost of Breast Lift surgery already, you may have come across prices ranging anywhere from $8,500 to $15,000 or even higher. This is a significant price difference, which can cause confusion and uncertainty as to the reason for the price difference. While it can be a bit difficult to navigate the price ranges and what makes them different, find the reasons for the different price ranges to help you make an informed decision, because when it comes to your body, you want to make the right choice.

Below you will find the three categories broken down and explained. However, they are just an estimate and a price guide. All patients require a consultation to get a detailed and accurate assessment of their requirements and surgery options.

Low-Cost Breast Lift Prices in Melbourne Range from $8,500 TO $12,500

  • Most of the ‘surgeons’ in this category are actually just doctors – GPs and general surgeons and are NOT FRACS Accredited Specialist Plastic Surgeons
  • Your ‘surgeon’ might not have the skills required to customise your procedure to you and your needs.
  • You may also find that as they aren’t accredited they will not have hospital admitting rights should something not go to plan.
  • This Low-cost surgery is typically not performed under general Anaesthetic in a hospital, but rather in a clinic backroom using ‘awake’ or “twilight’ anaesthetic.
  • It’s also common for Patients to be hit with unexpected out-of-pocket costs, including but not limited to recovery aids, surgical scar management and limited post-operative care.

Mid Range Breast Lift Prices in Melbourne from $12,000 TO $15,000.

In this price range, you can generally expect your Breast Lift surgery to be performed by a FRACS recognised Plastic Surgeon but maybe less experienced in Breast Lift Surgery

Surgery costs will vary depending on other factors, including:

  • Surgical Experience and technique e,g. Anchor or Lollipop technique
  • Is it a revision surgery from a previous procedure?
  • What are the patient follow-up care standards and post-surgery recovery aids?
  • Are garments provided after surgery to assist in recovery?
  • Scar Management treatments post-op

Premier Breast Lift Surgery Prices in Melbourne from $15,000+

  • It will be expertly planned and carried out by a highly-experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon with FRACS recognition
  • You will typically receive advanced and fully customised Breast Lift surgery including more modern techniques like the LeJour Lollipop Breast Lift (Reduced Scar)
  • It will take place in a premier hospital under General Anaesthetic

What is included in a Quote for Breast Lift Surgery – Mastopexy?

As part of your financial informed consent, your Tummy Tuck Quote may include fees and costs such as

  • Your Surgeon’s Fee
  • Assistant’s Fee
  • Anaesthetists Fee
  • Surgical Theatre Fee
  • Hospital Room Fee – for staying in hospital – 1 or more nights
  • Breast Implants if you are having a Breast Lift with Implants Surgery (Augmentation Mastopexy)
  • Surgical Extras like a Pain block, Extra Medications etc
  • Patient Extras Provided – Post-op Garments, Scar Treatments, After Care etc

Not all quotes are transparent. In other words, not everything is being covered. You could incur extra costs for things like;

  • Anaesthetic
  • Hospital or day room fees
  • Post-operative care
  • Surgery garments
  • Medication
  • Scar treatments and more

Avoid being hit with unexpected costs post-surgery by making sure you review your price estimate and ask your surgeon any questions to get clarification.

At Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery, we strive to be transparent with all our clients. Our quotes are itemised so, you know exactly what you are paying for.

Always choose a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon

  • A fully customised surgery is the best way to get long-lasting and successful results.
  • Do NOT choose any doctor who cannot customise your procedure, to your wants and needs. No two breasts are the same and therefore no two surgeries should be the same.
  • ALL Cosmetic Surgery is invasive and carries risk. It’s important to know the risks and discuss them with your surgeon so you know what can happen and if they can be minimised.
  • Choosing an expert surgeon can help reduce risks and also lowers the need for revision surgeries.

When choosing a Plastic Surgeon this short checklist can help you eliminate ‘surgeons’ that you don’t find suitable:

  • Do they have FRACS recognition? (All of Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery Surgeons are Royal Australian College of Surgeons members.)
  • Is your surgery going to be fully customised? In other words, will it take your health, skin condition and surgical preferences into account?
  • Do they listen to you and respect your views?
  • Do they answer any questions or concerns you have?
  • Have they provided you with information (written and verbal) about possible risks during your surgery and your recovery?
  • Have they communicated openly with you about what surgery can and cannot achieve?
  • Do they give expert science-based advice and care?

Furthermore, do not hesitate to ‘shop’ around, schedule ‘no obligation’ consult appointments with multiple surgeons. Ask them questions and research your option before deciding on what’s right for you and your body and who is going to give you long-lasting positive results.

Will Medicare or Private Health Insurance cover your Breast Lift Surgery?

Usually, in order to get coverage from your Private Health Fund you will need an MBS Item number and the right level of cover.

Medicare covers some Breast Lift patients based on meeting strict criteria. You will most likely only be partially covered for the cost of the surgery.

For more information Download Medicare and Health Insurance Guide!

Funding Options for Your Breast Lift Surgery

It is important to find out

  • Whether your breast lift surgery will be covered by Medicare – Are you eligible and meet the criteria
  • Whether your Private Health Insurer will contribute to the surgery and if you have the correct level of Private Health Cover
  • If your Superannuation Fund may pay for your surgery
  • If you need a Payment Plan from a medical finance company

Choosing a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon for your Mastopexy

  • It’s important to remember that all cosmetic surgery is invasive and has an element of risk.
  • Surgery should always be planned, customised and performed by an expert. This reduces risks and needs for revision surgery.
  • Everyone is different and every surgery will be different. Never accept a one-size-fits-all approach.
  •  For a successful, long-lasting result, a customised procedure is essential.

Breast Lift Medicare

Yes, you can get a breast lift covered by Medicare if it is deemed as a medical necessity by your doctor and you meet the strict criteria. Medically necessary situations include reconstruction after a mastectomy or reduction to help with the pain. 

Breast Lift Geelong

A mastopexy (breast lift procedure) is an operation performed to tighten the skin of the breasts, make the breasts look and feel firmer and place the nipples in a higher, more youthful position. It is performed under a general anaesthetic and the operation takes 2 hours and requires a hospital stay of one to two days. There are different ways the operation can be carried out depending on a number of individual factors including the starting shape and size of the breast.

The scars vary from only a circular scar around the new nipple/areoalar complex, to additional scars such as a vertical scar passing from the nipple to underneath the breast. In some individuals, it is necessary to have an additional long curved scar passing in the breast fold. It is important to realise that a mastopexy procedure does not alter the size/volume of the breast.but rather its shape. The procedure can be combined with breast enlargement using an implant if an increase in breast size is also desired.

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