Breast Augmentation

What is a breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to increase breast volume and improve breast shape using implants. It may be considered by patients who wish to increase breast size, improve upper pole fullness, address asymmetry, or restore volume lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers breast augmentation consultations in Melbourne for patients seeking a careful assessment of breast shape, proportions, tissue characteristics, and overall treatment goals. The aim is to achieve a result that is balanced, proportionate, and appropriate to the individual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure used to increase breast size and enhance breast contour using implants. Treatment planning is individualised and based on the patient’s anatomy, tissue characteristics, existing breast volume, chest wall shape, and desired outcome.
Breast augmentation may be used to address:
- smaller breast size
- loss of breast volume
- upper pole emptiness
- breast asymmetry
- changes after pregnancy or weight loss
- a desire for fuller breast shape
The appropriate implant choice and surgical plan depend on the patient’s anatomy and treatment goals.
Patients may consider breast augmentation if they are concerned by:
- naturally smaller breasts
- loss of fullness after pregnancy or breastfeeding
- reduced breast volume after weight loss
- asymmetry in breast size or shape
- a desire for more upper pole fullness
- dissatisfaction with breast proportions
A consultation is important because some patients are best suited to augmentation alone, while others may require assessment for augmentation combined with a breast lift.
A breast augmentation consultation involves assessment of:
- breast size and shape
- skin quality and tissue characteristics
- breast symmetry
- nipple position
- chest wall proportions
- existing breast volume
- general medical history
- medications and smoking status
- previous breast procedures
- healing factors and recovery planning
Treatment planning is individualised. The goal is to understand the patient’s anatomy and priorities before deciding on the most appropriate approach.

Breast augmentation is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Surgical planning may involve discussion of:
- implant size
- implant profile
- implant shape
- soft tissue coverage - whether implants are placed under, breasts, muscle or a combination of both techniques
- breast symmetry
- overall body proportions
- fat grafting to improve cleavage lines
The aim is to choose an implant and treatment plan that suit the patient’s anatomy and goals while maintaining balance and proportion.
As with any operation, breast augmentation surgery has risks and limitations. These vary depending on the implant choice, patient anatomy, and healing factors.
Risks and considerations discussed during consultation may include:
- bruising and swelling
- scarring
- asymmetry
- implant malposition
- contour irregularity such as rippling
- infection
- healing issues
- changes in sensation
- capsular contracture
- anapaestic large cell lymphoma
- breast implant illness
- need for further treatment or revision in selected cases
Breast augmentation surgery is not without risks, its important to choose a FRACS qualified plastic surgeon to get optimal results. Plastic surgeons with a special interest and training in aesthetic surgery such as Dr Webster.
Recovery varies between patients, but swelling, tightness, and discomfort are expected in the early postoperative period. The breasts may initially sit higher and feel firmer before gradually settling.
Most patients should expect:
- swelling and bruising in the first one to two weeks
- temporary tightness or pressure
- early changes in breast position as the tissues settle
- gradual improvement over the following weeks
- scar maturation over a longer period
Final shape and softness take time to develop, and the breasts continue to settle after the early healing phase.
Some patients seeking breast augmentation are mainly concerned with volume loss or smaller breast size. Others may also have breast descent or stretched skin.
In these cases, consultation is important to determine whether the main issue is:
- loss of volume
- breast ptosis
- asymmetry
- skin laxity
- a combination of these factors
Some patients may be not suitable for augmentation alone, these patients may achieve a better result with combining the augmentation with a mastopexy ‘breast lift’.