Breast Asymmetry Surgery

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Breast asymmetry surgery may involve one or more procedures, depending on the extent of difference between the breasts and individual circumstances. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital. Surgery usually takes between one and three hours, depending on whether one or both breasts are involved. In some cases, temporary surgical drains may be used, and these are usually removed before discharge from hospital.

The specific surgical approach varies between individuals and is discussed during consultation. Possible procedures that may be considered include:

Reduction Mammaplasty (Breast Reduction)

Breast reduction involves removal of breast tissue and skin with reshaping of the remaining tissue. This procedure may be considered to reduce breast size and weight, and can be performed on one or both breasts when there is a difference in size or shape.

Augmentation Mammaplasty (Breast Augmentation)

Breast augmentation uses implants to increase breast volume. This may be considered where one breast is smaller than the other or when volume differences exist. Implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle, depending on individual anatomy.

Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

A mastopexy, or breast lift, involves removal of excess skin and repositioning of the nipple–areola complex. This procedure may be considered when there are differences in breast position or degree of ptosis (droop).

Breast Lift with Implants

Breast lift with implants combines breast augmentation surgery with a breast lift. The aim is to increase volume, shape and fullness while raising the position and altering the shape of the breast.

As with all surgical procedures, breast asymmetry correction surgery does have risks, despite the highest standards of practice.It is not common practice for any surgeon to outline in detail every possible side effect or rare complication. However, it is important that you are informed of the more common risks and the less common but potentially very significant complications, so you can carefully weigh the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of surgery. It is usually possible to provide a more comprehensive list of potential risks and complications related to surgery, so that any risks particularly relevant to an individual can be identified and discussed further.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Specific risks for breast asymmetry correction surgery would depend on the specific surgery that Dr Avery performs to address breast asymmetry. These specific risks can be found under breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction.

The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) has further information about breast asymmetry correction surgery including the possible risks for this surgery.

Breast asymmetry surgery may be performed as a day procedure or may require a short hospital stay. The length of stay depends on the complexity of the surgery and whether additional procedures are performed.

Time away from work and normal activities varies between individuals. In some cases, up to three weeks away from work may be recommended, depending on the extent of surgery and the type of work undertaken.

Patients are usually advised to arrange for another adult to drive them home after discharge and to provide support during the first night.

A supportive surgical bra is commonly recommended for approximately four to six weeks to help support the breast tissue and incisions during healing.

Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are expected after surgery and may improve gradually over several weeks, although the timeframe differs between individuals.

Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and upper body exercise are typically restricted for several weeks after surgery. Gradual return to normal activity is guided by your surgeon during follow-up appointments.

Pain management usually involves prescribed medications, which may be adjusted depending on individual needs. In some cases, surgical drains are placed to reduce fluid collection and are generally removed within the early recovery period. Dressings are applied to the incision sites, and wound care instructions are provided.

Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing, change dressings if required, and review progress. The overall recovery process depends on factors such as the extent of the surgery, general health, and individual healing responses.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

Changes in nipple sensation can occur after breast surgery. Sensation may be reduced, absent, or increased (hypersensitivity). These changes can be temporary or permanent.

The likelihood of altered sensation may be influenced by factors such as the type and extent of surgery, and individual healing responses. Further information about risks is available in the risks section of this service page, and can be discussed at consultation in relation to your circumstances.

All surgical procedures carry a risk of revision surgery. In some cases, this may be recommended in the early recovery period if issues such as wound healing or scar formation occur.

Following breast asymmetry surgery, the composition and behaviour of each breast may differ over time. If implants are used, there is an additional consideration that breast implants are not lifetime devices and may require further surgery in the future.

For these reasons, further surgery may sometimes be required months or years after the initial procedure. The need for revision varies between individuals and is discussed as part of the consent process before surgery.

Breastfeeding ability after breast surgery varies between individuals and depends on factors such as the type of procedure performed, the surgical technique used, and individual healing responses.

Some surgical approaches may reduce the likelihood of affecting milk production or ducts, while others may carry a higher chance of impact. Even when surgical techniques aim to preserve milk pathways, changes in breastfeeding ability can still occur.

If breastfeeding in the future is an important consideration, this should be discussed during your consultation so that potential risks can be explained in relation to your circumstances.

When there is a significant difference in breast size, surgery may be considered to reduce, augment, or lift one or both breasts. The approach depends on the degree of asymmetry, breast tissue characteristics, and clinical assessment.

Possible surgical options can include modifying one breast to bring it closer in size to the other, or performing procedures on both breasts to reduce the difference. The most appropriate approach is discussed during consultation, along with risks and limitations.

Current evidence does not indicate an increased risk of developing breast cancer as a result of breast surgery, including breast augmentation, reduction, or lift procedures.

There is, however, a rare condition called breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This is a type of lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that has been associated with certain textured breast implants. The overall risk is considered low, but it is an important condition to be aware of.

Further information is available from the Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and international surgical societies such as ASPS and ASAPS. This topic can also be discussed in more detail during consultation if implants are being considered as part of surgery.

Light walking is usually encouraged in the first two weeks after surgery to help maintain mobility and circulation.

In most cases, activity can gradually increase between two and six weeks, but this depends on the type of surgery performed and individual recovery. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and upper body activity are often restricted during this period.

By six weeks, some patients may be able to return to a wider range of activities, although the timing varies. In some cases, it can take up to 12 weeks or longer before individuals feel ready to resume their usual fitness routines.

Dr Avery will provide guidance tailored to your circumstances and review your progress at follow-up appointments.

Pain and temporary restriction of movement can occur after surgery. The degree of discomfort varies between individuals and may be influenced by the extent of the procedure and individual healing responses.

Pain in the early period is generally managed with anaesthetic administered during surgery and with prescribed medications during recovery. Supportive dressings and garments are often used, and patients are usually advised to limit certain movements in the first weeks after surgery to protect the surgical area. Ice packs may sometimes be recommended to help with swelling.

Dressings and garments provide support to the wounds and the surrounding tissues while they heal. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor recovery and provide advice on activity.

Sun exposure can affect wound healing and may influence the pigmentation and long-term appearance of scars. Scars are generally more sensitive to sunlight in the first year after surgery.

It is usually recommended that scars be protected from direct sun exposure for many months after surgery. This may involve covering the area with clothing or applying sunscreen once the wounds are fully healed.

Artificial tanning products (such as spray tans) should only be considered once wounds are completely healed, and timing may vary between individuals. Your surgeon will provide guidance specific to your circumstances.

Private health insurance generally does not cover procedures that are considered cosmetic in nature and that do not have an associated Medicare item number.

In some circumstances, if surgery is performed to address clinical concerns such as developmental differences, changes following trauma, or documented functional problems, a Medicare item number may apply. Where this is the case, private health insurance may provide some level of cover depending on the individual’s policy.

Eligibility for Medicare item numbers and health fund rebates depends on individual circumstances and clinical assessment. Patients are encouraged to confirm directly with their health fund to understand their specific level of cover.