Breast reduction surgery is a safe surgical procedure that reduces the shape and size of your breasts to improve your physical symptoms and your self confidence.
Large breasts can have a significant impact on a patient’s health and lifestyle. Excessively large breasts (macromastia) can lead to several health and psychological issues. These may include back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain, poor posture, difficulty in exercising, the inability to buy clothes or a bra that fits properly, recurrent skin irritation below the breast crease, or even shoulder indentations from bra straps.
You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if you have any of these symptoms and you are physically healthy, a non-smoker and maintain a healthy weight.
Aims of Breast Reduction Surgery
The aims of breast reduction surgery are very simple. The first aim is to remove greater than 500g of tissue to resolve symptoms of neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain. The second aim is restore the nipple position to a higher, more youthful position. The final aim is to reshape your breast tissue into a higher position with more upper pole fullness and an improved shape.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Covered by Private Health Insurance?
Currently breast reduction surgery is covered by private health insurance if medically necessary. Dr Liew will assess this at the time of your initial assessment. The Medicare item number to check with your health fund is 45523. Not all policies cover this item number, so it is important to check with your health fund before your consultation.
Your Clinic Plastic Surgery Journey
During your initial appointment, Dr Liew will comprehensively ask your medical and surgical history as well as performing a physical examination to determine your suitability for breast reduction surgery. Your height and weight will also be recorded by one of our expert staff. Once this is completed, Dr Liew will discuss the benefits and risks of breast reduction surgery with the aid of before and after photos. He will also discuss the types of breast reduction surgery that will provide you with your best result. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about your surgery, and the costs of the surgery will be discussed in detail with you by one of our expert team.
If you choose to proceed with your operation with Dr Liew, a second appointment will be made to discuss any further questions you may have. At this appointment clinical photographs will be taken, followed by one of our team measuring you for your complimentary post-operative garments. You will be given the time and care to feel perfectly comfortable with Dr Liew and his clinical team before you proceed with your surgery.
If you are over the age of 40, you will need to have a breast mammogram and ultrasound before embarking on your breast reduction journey.
Breast reduction surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes approximately 2-3 hours. Dr Liew’s patients stay overnight in hospital and will be provided with 2 post-operative support bras. All dressings used will be waterproof, and you will be able to shower normally after the operation. Usually no drains are used in this procedure.
Post-surgery, you should refrain from heavy lifting for 4 weeks. You are able to drive when you can move freely and not taking any opiate medications, this is usually at 2-3 weeks after surgery. You will also be required to wear your post-operative support bra for 6 weeks.
Dr Julian Liew is a highly qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and his specialty interest is in Breast Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. He prides himself in his ability to be able to explain complex surgical issues with simple, easy to understand language and wants you to feel comfortable in your decision to undergo any surgery that you are considering.
Read moreRemoving 500g of tissue from each breast has shown to resolve symptoms of neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain.
Breast reduction surgery will improve breast shape by lifting the breast and nipple position to a higher, more youthful position.
Breast reduction surgery is designed to reduce and correct breast asymmetry present before surgery.
An indirect result of reduced pain and physical limitations and a better proportioned figure can often be an improvement in self-confidence.
Before
After
DISCLAIMER: All before and after photographs are actual cases of Dr. Julian Liew, and are examples only.
All surgical results are subject to individual patient variability and do not constitute an implied or certainty for the result.
The effects of breast reduction surgery are usually permanent. However, over time, the size and shape of your breasts can change due to ageing, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity. In general, increased circulating estrogen can make your breasts “regrow”. This is particularly significant during adolescence, pregnancy or significant weight changes.
Unfortunately, reoperation is the primary therapy for recurrence. Speak to Dr Liew about this before your surgery, and he can discuss this possibility in more detail and how it may directly pertain to you.
The majority of women do not breast feed more than 2 months. A recent study has shown that more than 50% of breast reduction patients are able to breast feed after surgery. In this study, the ability to breast feed after surgery was irrespective of the breast reduction technique.
After surgery you are able to walk straight away, but you should refrain from exercise for several weeks. You should avoid any heavy lifting (more than 5kgs) for at least 6 weeks.
Your recovery program will be tailored specifically to your individual surgery and requirements and will be detailed by Dr Liew at your appointment.
You can usually drive 2-3 weeks after your surgery. The requirements for driving are that you are moving freely and not taking any sedating medications. This will be detailed more specifically at your consultation with Dr Liew.
At the time of your consultation, you will be given a detailed quotation for your procedure that will include the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, surgical assistant fees and the hospital’s fees.
Please consult your health insurance provider to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your procedure.
Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by Medicare and as a result you are unlikely to receive a rebate or subsidy for these procedures.
As of 1st July 2023, new AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) guidelines require all patients obtain a referral from a General Practitioner or a Medical Specialist before scheduling a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon.
A Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is fully accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Only Specialist Plastic Surgeons are accredited by the Commonwealth Government of Australia through the Australian Medical Council to perform all reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
The difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon is significant. A Cosmetic Surgeon is not recognised as a Specialist Surgeon or Specialist Plastic Surgeon by any of the regulating authorities such as Medicare Australia or the Medical Board of Australia. They also cannot register themselves as a Surgeon with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Specialist Plastic Surgeons normally undergo extensive training in aesthetic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, paediatric plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery following trauma, burns or cancer treatment. After completing the mandatory years of training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, many Specialist Plastic Surgeons undertake a fellowship to continue to gain further experience and training in specific branches of the specialty.
Dr Julian Liew is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Dr Liew is registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
After completing his medical degree in 2002 at Monash University, Dr Liew trained in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery before completing his Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery training at the beginning of 2015.
As a skilled Microsurgeon and Specialist Plastic Surgeon his attention to detail and to the skill and precision of the procedure is only paralleled by his passion for the patient-centric experience and his complete involvement along with his talented team, through the patient’s entire surgical journey.
In 2017, Dr Liew realised his vision of combining surgical excellence with an enhanced patient journey by establishing his boutique plastic and reconstructive surgery practice, The Clinic Plastic Surgery, in East Melbourne.
Your qualified Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Julian Liew, will guide you through your patient journey from beginning to end. Dr Liew will see you at your first consultation, and personally guide you through your post-surgical course. At The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we feel that a close relationship with your surgeon ensures a smooth and satisfying experience.
{{el.description}}
