For most privately insured patients, Dr Kollias will utilise the “known gap arrangement” with their private medical insurance company. For uninsured patients, fees apply for the overnight stay at hospital, surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee and pathologist’s fee for inspection of the breast tissue. An itemised costing will be provided.

Unfortunately, all surgical procedures are associated with some risks.  Dr Kollias takes every precaution to avoid any sort of complications. He will provide you with information to prepare you for the operation and to make sure that the final outcome is to your satisfaction and expectation. Complications can be avoided by adhering to the recommendations made prior to and immediately after surgery. If you do notice anything unusual, you should contact us immediately and if in the off chance there are complications.

Some possible complications and risks associated with breast reduction may include:

• Risks involved with any surgery such as bleeding or infection
• Changes in nipple sensitivity
• Temporary or permanent areas of numbness around the scars
• Fluid accumulation (which is called a seroma)
• Reduced capacity to breastfeed 
• Keloid or hypertrophic scarring, especially if you have a history of poor scarring

Revision surgery is sometimes necessary to treat complications, or if the final cosmetic outcome is not optimal. Although this is uncommon, this may be associated with cost implications for women who do not have private medical insurance.

For most patients choosing smooth, round, cohesive gel implants (Mentor, Nagor, Motiva brands), the total cost of the procedure is approximately $10,000.00 (although the final price is regulated by the type of implant is chosen and differences in fees by the varying anaesthetist). This pricing includes the overnight stay at St Andrew’s Hospital, surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, Assistant’s fee and cost of implants.

Unfortunately, all surgical procedures are associated with some risks.  Dr Kollias takes every precaution to avoid any sort of complications. He will provide you with information to prepare you for the operation and to make sure that the final outcome is to your satisfaction and expectation. Complications can be avoided by adhering to the recommendations made prior to and immediately after surgery. If you do notice anything unusual, you should contact us immediately and if in the off chance there are complication.

Some possible complications and risks associated with breast augmentation may include:

• Risks involved with any surgery such as bleeding or infection
• Changes in nipple sensitivity
• Temporary or permanent areas of numbness around the scars
• Fluid accumulation, which is called a seroma, around the implant after surgery
• Implants moving from their original position
• Capsular contracture, where firm scar tissue forms around the implant causing it to lose shape and softness. Occasionally a capsule contracture around an implant can be painful. 
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant 
• Keloid or hypertrophic scarring, especially if you have a history of poor scarring
• Implant rupture
• Lumps in local lymph node tissue formed by leaking silicone. This does not pose a health risk to you.
• Small reduction in the effectiveness of breast cancer screening as the implant could hide breast tissue and tumours. Modern imaging has made this far less of a concern.

Revision surgery is sometimes necessary to treat complications, or if the final cosmetic outcome is not optimal. Although this is uncommon, this may be associated with cost implications for women who do not have private medical insurance.

It will be necessary to take time off work for your recovery so that your body can begin the healing process. The time off work required will be 1-2 weeks, depending on the type of work you perform. You will be instructed about the do’s and don’ts of physical activity by Dr Kollias and his team.

You should be able to resume vigorous exercise after six weeks. The use of good support bras and sports garments will be discussed.

The average lifespan of implants is 20 years (some have been known to last up to 40 years!) On average, only about one in five women who have undergone breast augmentation opt to have their implants replaced or removed within the first 10 years of their initial surgery. With high-quality implants, most women should only require one to two follow up surgeries. 

Unfortunately, breast implants do have the potential to interfere with mammography readings in certain patients. Implants placed behind the muscle (sub-muscular) are less likely to interfere with mammogram readings. This is a particularly important consideration for women who have a family history of breast cancer who are likely to require regular breast cancer screening.