Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that increases breast volume and can change breast shape and symmetry using breast implants. This procedure involves the placement of implants within the breasts and may be considered by individuals who wish to address concerns about breast size, breast asymmetry, changes after pregnancy or weight loss, or to change their appearance, provided goals are realistic and carefully discussed with a suitably qualified practitioner.
For people in Sydney or wider NSW, it is important to seek care from appropriately qualified and accredited medical practitioners who perform breast augmentation, noting that cost is only one factor and does not necessarily reflect suitability, safety, or the likelihood of needing revision surgery. An appropriate surgeon (such as Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh) can provide consultation, assessment of suitability, explanation of the procedure and alternatives, and ongoing post-operative care as part of a comprehensive treatment pathway. These practitioners may hold specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery through the Medical Board of Australia, with Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) indicating accredited specialist surgical training in this field. It is recommended that you review AHPRA’s public register to check a practitioner’s registration type, specialist status, and registration number before proceeding. Further information about cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, is available from the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA.
At Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery Sydney, there is a focus on patients being adequately informed about their healthcare options, including the potential benefits, risks, limitations, costs and recovery requirements of cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery aimed at changing the shape, size, and symmetry of breasts using implants, and a detailed guide can assist in understanding what this procedure involves. This includes information about possible benefits, the operative steps, the recovery period, potential complications, and the range of possible outcomes rather than any guaranteed result. If you are considering surgery to address breast asymmetry, changes after pregnancy or significant weight loss, or for aesthetic reasons, discussing your motivations and expectations with your surgeon is important in deciding whether surgery is appropriate for you.
Why is a breast augmentation done?
Breast augmentation may be considered by individuals who wish to change the appearance of their chest, including increasing breast size or modifying breast shape and symmetry. Some people seek this procedure to improve body proportion or to address feelings of dissatisfaction with their breast appearance, but it is important that expectations remain realistic and are explored carefully during consultation, as surgery does not guarantee psychological or social benefits.
The procedure can also be considered in situations such as loss of breast volume after substantial weight loss, pregnancy, or following mastectomy, where reconstructive or revision surgery may be discussed. In these cases, breast augmentation may help restore contour and balance of the breast area as part of an individualised treatment plan, which should always be guided by a comprehensive clinical assessment.
What’s involved in the procedure?
Breast augmentation is performed in a hospital or accredited day surgery facility and generally involves a period of post-operative monitoring, with the exact length of stay depending on the individual case and clinical circumstances. The operation is usually conducted under general anaesthesia, meaning patients are unconscious for the duration of the procedure.
During breast augmentation, Dr Mohaghegh makes an incision in the area around the breast and creates a pocket in which the implant is placed. Implants may be positioned under the chest muscle or between the breast tissue and the muscle, and this choice depends on factors such as body type, existing breast tissue, and agreed goals discussed during consultation. Implant placement and surgical technique can influence recovery, scar position and the appearance of the breast, so it is important to discuss these options in detail with Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery Sydney, including how they relate to your individual anatomy and expected range of outcomes.
What should you consider?
Below are elements of a breast augmentation that you should consider and discuss at consultation before deciding to proceed:
- Your surgeon
- The implant you are considering
- Costs
- Whether you are a suitable candidate for this operation
These matters should be carefully reviewed with the surgeons you are considering and also reflected on personally, allowing time for questions and a cooling-off period as required by current cosmetic surgery guidelines.
Your Surgeon
When planning breast augmentation, it is important to choose a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and who provides clear information about the potential risks, benefits, limitations, alternatives and recovery requirements of the surgery. The surgeon should support informed decision-making by answering your questions and ensuring you understand that results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
You should verify that your surgeon is appropriately qualified and, if relevant, accredited as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and holds specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery, which can be confirmed through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) public register. Ensuring that your surgeon understands your specific concerns, medical history and expectations is important for planning an appropriate treatment approach and supporting safe care.
Implant Selection
The type of implant selected is one of several factors that contribute to the overall outcome of the procedure and should be tailored to the individual after discussion of options, risks and alternatives. There are variations in implant material, surface, size, shape and projection, and in Australia the two main implant fill types are silicone and saline.
Silicone implants: These implants have a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel designed to approximate the feel of breast tissue. They may be considered for patients with limited overlying soft tissue because, in some cases, they can be less visible or palpable than some saline implants, although all implants carry specific risks that need to be discussed.
Saline implants: These implants have a silicone shell filled with a sterile saline solution and may allow some intraoperative adjustment of volume, which can be useful when addressing differences in breast size. They can sometimes be inserted through relatively smaller incisions, but may be more prone to visible rippling in individuals with very thin tissues, and this should be weighed against other factors during consultation.
The selected implant size and profile should be proportionate to your body frame and soft-tissue characteristics to help reduce the risk of issues such as excessive skin stretching, ptosis (sagging), or discomfort. In situations where a large change in breast size is desired, staged procedures may be discussed to minimise skin stress and other risks, although this approach depends on individual assessment. The choice between round and teardrop (anatomical) implants should be informed by your existing breast shape, tissue quality, and preferences, noting that round implants often create more upper pole fullness, while teardrop implants may more closely mimic a sloped, natural contour.
Costs associated with the procedure
Breast augmentation performed for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered by Medicare or most private health insurance policies, and patients are usually responsible for the full cost of surgery unless specific medical criteria for item numbers and fund coverage are met. It is important that any advertising or written information about costs is clear, easily understood and includes information about all relevant fees, such as surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital or facility, implants, and post-operative care, rather than only quoting a partial cost.
Before proceeding with surgery, you should clarify with your surgeon and your private health insurer which, if any, aspects of the procedure or hospital stay may attract a rebate or benefit. To obtain a personalised quote from Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery Sydney, please contact the team via the contact us page so that an estimate can be prepared following consultation and assessment.
What are the risks?
Breast augmentation, like all surgery, is invasive and carries general surgical and anaesthetic risks as well as implant-specific risks, and these should be carefully considered before deciding to proceed. Advertising and information about cosmetic surgery are required to present risks and recovery information in a realistic and balanced manner, and must not suggest that procedures are simple, risk-free, or suitable for everyone.
Risks associated with breast augmentation can include, but are not limited to:
- Swelling, bruising and bleeding in the chest or breast area
- Infection at the incision or implant site
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Damage to surrounding tissues, scarring, implant malposition, capsular contracture, implant rupture or need for revision surgery
These and other potential complications, including rare but serious risks, should be discussed in detail with Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery Sydney so that you have a clear understanding of the range of possible outcomes. For further information on risks associated with breast augmentation, you may also review information provided by Healthdirect on this topic via this link, in addition to discussing your individual situation with your surgeon.
Questions to ask your surgeon
If you are considering a breast augmentation, it may be helpful to ask yourself—and any surgeon you consult—the following questions to support informed decision-making:
- Are you a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and do you hold specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery?
- What is your experience with breast augmentation procedures, and how frequently do you perform this surgery?
- In which accredited hospitals or day surgery facilities do you perform breast augmentation?
- Based on my medical history, physical examination and expectations, am I a suitable candidate for breast augmentation?
- What are your recommendations for the type, size and shape of implants for me, and why?
- Can you provide information or example images in a way that is compliant with current AHPRA guidelines (for example, de-identified before and after images presented with appropriate warnings and risk information, where applicable)?
- What complications and side effects could arise from breast augmentation in my situation, and how would they be managed?
- Could breast augmentation affect breastfeeding or future breast surgery options?
- What preparations should I make before the operation, including any changes to medications, smoking, or general health?
- What is the expected duration of hospital or facility stay after the operation?
- What level of pain, swelling and bruising should I anticipate after surgery, and what pain management will be available?
- How long should I expect to take off work or usual activities, and when can I resume exercise and other routines?
- How long do breast implants typically last, and under what circumstances might they need to be replaced or removed?
- What options are available if I am not satisfied with the results or experience complications, including revision surgery and associated costs?
Is a breast augmentation right for me?
When considering breast augmentation in Sydney, it is important to take time to think carefully about your reasons for seeking surgery, your general health, and your expectations of what surgery can and cannot achieve. Breast augmentation may be an option for adult women who wish to increase breast size, address asymmetry, or address changes after pregnancy or weight fluctuation, provided a surgeon has assessed them as suitable and any psychological concerns such as body dysmorphic disorder have been screened for with appropriate tools.
Expectations should be realistic and focused on achievable changes in breast appearance rather than assumptions about changes in confidence, relationships or life circumstances, as cosmetic surgery cannot guarantee such outcomes. Open communication with your surgeon—including asking questions, discussing alternatives, and considering a cooling-off period—helps support a well-considered decision about whether to proceed.
How can I find out more about breast augmentation in Sydney?
To find out more about breast augmentation or to ask further questions, you can contact Dr Mohaghegh (Dr Mo) and the team. They can provide information about consultation processes, fees, the assessment of suitability, and what to expect before and after surgery, and can arrange an initial consultation to discuss your options.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation in Sydney is a cosmetic surgical procedure that uses implants to change breast size and shape, and it must be approached as a significant medical decision with potential risks and limitations. It is important that surgeons performing this surgery are appropriately accredited and that their specialist registration (for example, specialist plastic surgeon with specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery) is confirmed through AHPRA, along with their registration number. General anaesthesia, surgery and implants are associated with risks such as swelling, infection, changes in nipple sensation, scarring and possible need for further surgery, and these should be carefully balanced against potential benefits.
Comprehensive discussions with Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery Sydney about costs, risks, recovery, and alternative options are essential, as most health insurance plans do not cover cosmetic breast augmentation and out-of-pocket expenses can be significant. Reviewing educational material and, where available and appropriately presented, example images in line with AHPRA advertising requirements may help you understand the range of possible results, while remembering that outcomes vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
Clinician
Surgeon: Dr. Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh
Titles: MD, MPhil, FRACS (Plast)
AHPRA ID: MED0001627149
AHPRA Registration Type: Registered medical practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery)
Website: https://drmohaghegh.com.au
Phone: 1300 074 466
Email: hello@drmohaghegh.com.au
Address: Shop 1/161 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, NSW 2027