Women who wish to increase the size or change the shape of their breasts may be interested in a breast augmentation. Some women may have noticed a reduction in breast volume and change in shape after pregnancy or weight loss. Breast augmentation (enlargement) with the use of breast implants is available with our plastic surgeon here at our Gold Coast practice in Queensland and at our clinic in Ballina, New South Wales.
Jump to a section
- What is a breast augmentation?
- Who is a candidate for breast implants?
- What does the breast augmentation process involve?
- What size do you want to be?
- Where do you want the breast implants placed?
- Where do you want the breast implant incisions placed?
- What type of breast implants do you want?
- What is the Internal Bra technique?
- What can you expect after the breast augmentation operation?
- How noticeable are breast augmentation scars?
Meet Our Surgeons
Dr Craig Layt
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- ASPS
- RACS
- NZMC
- FRACS
- AMC
Dr Layt is highly credentialed in many areas of Plastic, Cosmetic, and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as a variety of non-surgical cosmetic enhancements.
Dr Paul Ting-Yuan Cheng
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- FRACS
- MBChB
- BHB
- PGDipSurgAnat
- ASAPS
- RACS
- NZAPS
Dr Cheng is a New Zealand trained Specialist Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
What is a Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to produce larger shaped breasts. It involves the placement of breast implants—usually filled with cohesive silicone gel—behind the breast or chest wall muscles in order to achieve the desired result. Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and is normally done as a day procedure.
Our Before & After Gallery
These before-and-after photos are of patients that have had surgery performed by Dr Craig Layt. These patients have consented to the photos being shown. These are actual photos and have not been altered or digitally enhanced. Every patient is an individual and therefore final surgical results will vary from patient to patient.
Who is a candidate for breast implants?
Candidates for breast enlargement include women who desire larger breasts, and often women with a mild to moderate degree of breast ptosis and smaller breasts. Breast implants do not actually ‘lift’ breasts; however, by filling up the current breast envelope, we can often alter the shape to disguise the amount of ptosis affecting the breast. If the amount of ptosis is excessive, a mastopexy (breast lift) may be required. Breast augmentation can also assist women who have one breast that is noticeably smaller than the other (asymmetry). If you are looking to change your pre-pregnancy body, this procedure can be coupled with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck ) or liposuction.
Breast Augmentation – Silicone Implants
What does the breast augmentation process involve?
Getting a good result is not about putting big implants in the breasts. It is a complex interplay of making smart decisions about what will get the best result in every individual patient and educating the patient as to what those decisions need to be and what result is possible. In the world of information overload we live in, it is sometimes hard to sort the facts from the fiction. That is why the initial consultation is often the most important part of the process. Every patient has a different body, different breasts, and different wishes and desires. Just as a dress that looks great on your friend may not suit you, so it is with breast augmentation. We have multiple consultations as required to educate you and make decisions with you about your breast augmentation. These consultations are aided by diagrams, PowerPoint presentations, and of course our VECTRA® 3D imaging systems, which are now available at our Gold Coast location, and soon at our Ballina location. Dr Layt travels the world educating colleagues at major meetings and has designed the education program for you at The Layt Clinic to mirror that experience.
Every patient is an individual and therefore final surgical results will vary from patient to patient.
What size do you want to be?
The final size after breast augmentation is a result of your breast tissue plus the implant. This means that placing the same implant size in two different people will give two different results. Implants can be the same size but one may be narrower and push out more or vice versa. Dr Layt likes to use the analogy of building a house. He will measure the width and height of your desired breast and decide on the best width and height of an implant to achieve that result. This will form the basement of your house. The volume of the breast then depends on projection (moderate, high, etc). So, the size of your house is determined by the basement and number of floors. Sometimes, because of the shape of your current breast and chest, it is better to have an implant that is wider that it is high or vice versa, in which case a shaped or teardrop implant may be more appropriate. Together we will be able to work out the best implant for you. Our VECTRA® 3D imaging system helps a lot with that process. Breast implants are not lifetime devices and will be required or desired to be replaced or removed during the lifetime of most patients.
Where do you want the breast implants placed?
Breast implants can be placed in front of or behind the chest wall muscle. Placing the breast implant behind the muscle tends to give a smoother line and less chance of feeling the edge of the implant, particularly at the top of the breast. There is also evidence that it reduces the incidence of hardening of the implant. It is particularly useful in women who have very little breast tissue. The most common positioning of the implant is where the top half of the implant is covered by the pectoralis major muscle and the lower half is in contact with the breast. This is called “dual plane.” Positioning the breast implant in front of the muscle may be advantageous in women who do a lot of chest exercises.
Where do you want the breast implant incisions placed?
Nowadays, most augmentation is performed using the IMF (inframammary fold) approach. Evidence has shown this gives the most predictable result with the lowest risk of complications. With modern planning techniques, the scar can usually be accurately placed in the new fold created during the augmentation and remains in that position in most cases, making it hard to see.
The periareolar (around the nipple) approach results in a semicircular scar around the areola; however, this technique has been shown to have a higher risk of infection and capsular contracture, so it is used less commonly nowadays.
Placing the implant through an axillary (armpit) incision results in a scar which is hidden in the armpit creases. This approach is only suitable in certain cases and, as it has a higher risk of infection, capsular contracture, and reoperation, it is rarely used these days.
What type of breast implants do you want?
There are numerous different types and brands of breast implants for augmentation. In the simple case, many of these implants will be suitable and give an excellent result. In other, more difficult cases, only one or two implant types will work. This is why it is important to choose a surgeon who has experience with different implant types and techniques to advise which implant and technique will be best. All silicone implants are filled with a “cohesive medical grade” silicone gel of varying thickness. The breast implant can be filled with either saline or silicone. Saline implants are rarely used in Australia as they do not feel as natural and tend to deflate. The implant shell can be either smooth or textured. Each has its own pros and cons. Textured has a documented lower capsular contracture rate and tends to result in a breast which stays more stable as the years go by.
The selection of the implant is a joint decision between the patient and Dr Layt. Dr Layt will discuss the pros and cons of the various implants, including the appropriateness of size, shape, placement, implant filling, and implant shell in relation to the individual patient.
What is the Internal Bra technique?
For many patients, Dr. Layt is able to perform what’s known as the internal bra technique. He has been utilising this technique for many years, and can implement it as part of his patients’ surgical plans, if needed. This innovative approach can be helpful in numerous types of breast surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, revision breast augmentation, and breast reduction. While the name “internal bra” may cause one to think that it serves as a kind of long-term replacement for the use of a regular bra, it is actually not designed to accomplish that goal. Rather, this advanced technique is focused on giving the breasts improved internal support, which can amplify the results.
In breast augmentation procedures, the internal bra technique essentially creates an internal “underwire” to further address the stability and shape of the breasts. Using a special suturing approach, Dr. Layt will add sutures in precise areas inside the breast pockets and beneath the breasts that can reinforce the outer borders and add structural support. The internal bra technique essentially works to help the breast implants maintain an ideal position. Additionally, by strengthening the breast pockets, an internal bra can help reduce the risk of breast implants eventually developing a “bottomed-out” appearance.
Breast Augmentation – Silicone Implants
What can you expect after the breast augmentation operation?
Rapid recovery from the surgery is possible with modern techniques involving careful planning, gentle surgical technique, post-operative exercises, and medications. It is important to stretch the chest muscles a little to stop spasms that may cause pain after surgery. This involves gentle chest exercises, which are demonstrated in the video toward the end of this page. Drains are almost never required. Your pain will be controlled by oral medications. You will have an appointment to see us 24-48 hours after the operation for review of dressings, medications, and exercises, and to check that your bra is the correct fit and to provide you with a second bra. If distance is a problem, we can often address this over Skype, FaceTime, or phone. You will also be seen approximately seven days post-surgery to change dressings and review your surgical progress. Light activities can be resumed as tolerated. Aerobic activities can be started in about three weeks. We are always available to help should concerns arise. We will arrange an appointment to see you for 3-month and 12-month reviews with Dr Layt.
How noticeable are breast augmentation scars?
The noticeability and extent of scarring after breast augmentation surgery will ultimately depend on the specific surgical technique utilised during the procedure. As noted in the section above regarding the placement of breast implant incisions, there are a few different techniques that can be performed; however, in most cases, the standard inframammary fold (IMF) approach is the one used here at The Layt Clinic. With this technique, there will be scar formation in the underside of the breast where the breast meets the chest. Fortunately, this places the scar in a rather inconspicuous area that is typically difficult for others to see. Additionally, it is important to note that Dr. Layt takes great care to minimise the appearance of residual scarring, and scars may fade to a certain extent over time. We will also provide instructions for your recovery that include information on how to optimise scar healing after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do breast implants last?
Can I breastfeed with breast implants?
What are the potential risks and complications of breast augmentation?
How much does breast augmentation cost?
Specific Pre-Operative Instructions
Specific Post-Operative Instructions
Post-Operative Exercises
Contact Us
To schedule a consultation with Dr Craig Layt, or to learn more about breast augmentation surgery, contact our Gold Coast practice in Queensland today. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.
