Cosmetic Surgery Info Centre

Before & After Breast Augmentation with smooth round 440cc implants

I have a large group of Asian patients who are keen on cosmetic surgery, particularly breast augmentation. In general, these patients tend to be petite and slim with small breasts.  In these instances I tend to use a saline implant, as it will achieve a nice improvement for patients who are very flat in the breasts.  I will note here that 50% of cosmetics surgeons in the United States still use saline implants, and patients appreciate the safety factor associated with them.

There are several ways of inserting breast implants. These include the periareolar incision (around the nipple), transaxillary incision (through the armpit), inframammary incision (under the breast fold), and transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA (through the belly button).

Asian patients, in particular, are very appreciative to have scars minimized due to the tendency to develop pigmented or thick scarring for a long period of time after surgery.  For this reason I am happy to perform the transaxillary incision, and for those patients that desire it, the TUBA incision, that will place the scar in the least conspicuous spot.

If you are interested in breast augmentation, please call our lovely receptionist Marija at 9362 7400 to schedule a consultation.

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Published May 18, 2012

Before and After Chin Implant and Secondary Rhinoplasty with Dr. Hodgkinson

According to new research published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), chin implants have become the fastest growing procedure of 2011, growing more than liposuction, Botox®, and breast augmentation combined, with an overall 71% increase since 2010 (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/News-and-Resources/Chin-Surgery-Skyrockets-Among-Women-and-Men.html).

I have been performing chin augmentations in my surgery for the last 30 years with satisfying results.  In most instances, I will use a  chin implant in combination with other procedures to create the most desirable profile for my patients. This could include a chin implant with rhinoplasty and/or neck liposuction to achieve the best result.

Chin augmentation tends to be more popular in male patients as a strong, prominent jawline is associated with masculinity and sexuality.  Even more so, in the current economy, males are beginning to realize the importance of “looking the part” in the work place and are seeking such cosmetic procedures to keep up with the younger generation.

Before and After Chin Implant and Rhinoplasty by Dr. Hodgkinson

- April 19, 2012

Not so taboo now!  Most patients do not know that I reported labioplasty in the international plastic surgical literature about 30 years ago.  It was somewhat of a taboo subject then but it is not now with as many as 50% of plastic surgeons performing the procedure.

A recent study in the United States showed that of patients who underwent the procedure, and there has been some newer operations around, over 50% of those patients used the original procedure which I described way back when.

These generally are very satisfied patients both from an aesthetic and a functional point of view.  This area of the female body heals near perfectly and generally patients resume sexual activities within one month of the operation.

-April 12, 2012

How much younger do you look with a facelift?  A recent study published where first year medical students assessed the results of facelifting suggested that there was about a seven year reduction in the age appearance of patients after a facelift.  The question would be whether first year medical students, who are about 20 years of age, can give an ideal objective assessment of age in the facelift age group which is usually in the 50 to 60-year-old age group.  In fact, it has been also shown from studies that patients who have had a facelift always get the benefit of that facelift looking younger and usually do not require a surgical procedure for 10 or 11 years after the operation, so perhaps they have a 10 year reduction in the age.  Often from the mouth of babes comes startling information and my 15-year-old daughter when seeing results says “Dad you make them look 20 years younger” but, in fact, we never tell a patient or imply to a patient how many years younger they will look after a facelift.  In fact the aim and the ideal of a result from a facelift is that the patient is ageless, that is, we do not think about their age when we look at them, that in fact the harmony of their features is such that their face has a vitality and an expressiveness that belies their age.  The facelifting procedure has progressed significantly over the last 30 years from a tight stretched look and an overdone appearance to a more natural appearance, paying attention to many features of aging which we did not understand 30 years ago.  The volumetric deflation of the face, the drooping of the nose and other features which contribute to the overall appearance of being worn out.

 
In fact the new facelifts which are referred to as the panfacial rejuvenation leave some lines which imply expressiveness and a happy face and concentrate on re-establishing a tone in the neck, jawline, mid face and brow area and if excessive laxity of skin exists around the eyelids a trimming, but not over excessive of that skin.  The surgical procedure is carried out as an outpatient under general anaesthesia and does require at least approximately two weeks recuperation.  Results of two recent patients are shown.

Before & After Breast Augmentation by Dr Darryl Hodgkinson

British surgeons determine what is the ideal breast shape – 2012.

In a fascinating study of one hundred topless models, the shape of their breasts was analysed, both in small, medium and large-sized breasts. One of their key findings, was that the upper pole slope is linear or straight-line, or slightly concave, in comparison to what is produced generally by breast augmentation. People who want a natural look should have a smooth “runway” going from their mid-chest to the nipple. The nipple should also be slightly pointing upwards at a 20º angle.

So many breast augmentations are too full in the upper pole and yet patients are confused because that is what they see in so many photographs on the internet and on plastic surgical websites. I even admit to the fact that I have been subjected to pressure by the patients to produce that kind of result but I do stress to them that “looking like you have a French push-up bra on without a brassiere is unnatural”. However, in the “patient-centred” medical world that we exist in today, surgeons are compelled to do what the patient wants often, rather than what they know is more aesthetically attractive. An example of a very natural breast augmentation using saline implants is shown. I also choose saline implants because of the more natural movement which they have in comparison to “gummy bear” implants and the fixed position implant like the “Brazilian” implant.

Dr Darryl Hodgkinson

To find our more about Breast Augmentation, read Dr Hodgkinson’s article, “The facts about breast enhancement” http://www.cosmeticsurgeryoz.com/The-facts-about-breast-enhancement.htm or email us at the clinic on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com or phone us on 02 9362 7400 to chat with one of our staff specialists.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Before & After Liposculpture by Dr. Hodgkinson

In response to the feature on male cosmetic surgery in last week’s Good Weekend, “Makeover man”, the trend toward men becoming consumers of cosmetic surgery and treatments began long ago to the point that 40% of all my patients are men.  Unlike other doctors mentioned in the article, I do not find that men are more difficult patients to deal with.  Patients, male or female, with unrealistic expectations are difficult to deal with and it is our job to hopefully determine this before committing to surgery.

There are, however, differences between males and females and the way in which they approach cosmetic surgery.    Males are usually more pragmatic, “time-poor” like all of us and tend not to have the same support networks that females have.  Men also usually are looking for refinement or re-definition rather than a big or dramatic change.

Before & After Rhinoplasty by Dr. Hodgkinson

The types of surgery that men consider generally depend on their age.  Men in their 20’s and 30’s are usually interested nose surgery or rhinoplasty, a popular procedure to improve breathing as well as the nasal appearance. Men in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s however are more interested in maintaining their edge in business or their confidence in socialising and relationships.  In this age group they may have developed droopy or puffy looking eyes which leave them looking tired and angry and jowels have formed where they once had masculine jawlines.  These patients look to eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or facelifting procedures (rhytidectomy) to regain a more vital look while retaining or enhancing their masculinity.  Men of all age groups, however, who may have formed love handles or beer guts with more sedentary careers and aging look to liposuction/liposculpture to get their “abs” back.

Before & After Facelift by Dr. Hodgkinson

Cosmetic surgery can improve physical appearance and hence confidence and self-esteem, but the surgeon should be wary of any patient who feels that cosmetic surgery will dramatically improve their career in the entertainment or fashion industries.  The most important factors in a successful cosmetic surgical procedure are the surgeon’s expertise combined with patient’s who are healthy, realistic and well-motivated.

For more information on male cosmetic surgery see Dr Hodgkinson’s article on male cosmetic surgery  http://www.cosmeticsurgeryoz.com/Male-Cosmetic-Surgery-Liposuction.htm or email the clinic on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com or call to speak with one of Dr Hodgkinson’s staff specialists on 02 9362 7400.

Before & After Rhinoplasty by Dr Hodgkinson

Here is the result of one of my recent cases; a young Australian man of Greek heritage before and after rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery). To create this result, I had to refine the hump, narrrow the tip of the nose and balance the middle third of the nose to suit the rest of the nose and face. The patient appears even more handsome and his nose fits in well with his profile making appear it a natural part of his face.

I have been performing rhinoplasty surgery for over 30 years and am still impressed with how a well performed rhinoplasty can refine the overall appearrance of a face, and in a man still appear masculine and promote a positive male image.

For more information on nose surgery or other procedures, send us an email at the clinic on info@cosmeticsurgery or call us on 02 9362 7400.

Dr Darryl Hodgkinson
Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon

Before & After Liposculpture by Dr. Hodgkinson

As summer approaches, many patients become a bit anxious about wearing lighter and more revealing summer clothes; especially swimwear.  In Spring people start dieting and exercising in an attempt to get in shape and feel ‘beach ready’.  The problem arises, however, for some when diet and exercise alone will not change their hereditary shape.  Many people, no matter how little they eat or how much they work out will still have fatty deposits.  For women, these are often the inner and outer thighs, the buttocks as well as the tummy or the muffin top.  For men, excess fat is more commonly carried around the middle: ‘the beer gut and love handles’.  Patients with this impossible to budge excess fat may be candidates for liposculpture.

Dr. Hodgkinson, an expert at liposculpture, has been performing this surgery since the early 1980’s.  Using his experience and the various techniques and tools available, Dr. Hodgkinson can not only remove fat but create smooth contours of the feminine figure.  In the case of men, he can use abdominal etching to carve the six pack look at the same time as performing liposculpture.  It is critical that this complete approach to the figure or physique is taken to create shape as opposed to just removing fat as fat removal alone can leave a patient with dimpling or other contour deformities.

To learn more about liposculpture, read Dr. Hodgkinson’s article, “Sculpted for Summer”

http://www.cosmeticsurgeryoz.com/Sculpted-For-Summer-Liposculpture.htm

or email the clinic on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com or call to speak to one of our staff specialists and make an appointment with Dr. Hodgkinson on 02 9362 7400.

Before and After Breast Reduction Surgery by Dr Hodgkinson

Breast Reduction is a very popular procedure for women who are weighed down by heavy enlarged breasts which often cause symptoms of back pain, neck strain, rashes in the summertime and an inability to wear attractive and brief clothes and with too much emphasis on the chest. The amount of comfort that is gained from the breast reduction is remarkable and patients are grateful for the relief that they feel after the procedure. The procedure is also an artistic and aesthetic one and although techniques have varied slightly over the last 30 years, this is a well-established procedure with the attempt made to maintain the potential for a woman to breastfeed if she is younger and also maintain as much as possible the nerve supply to the nipples. I have performed over 1,000 breast reductions in my over 30 year experience.

The procedure is carried out on an outpatient surgical basis at the Double Bay Day Surgery which is a fully licensed and accredited day surgery hospital. There is some Medicare benefit and patients with private insurance may be eligible to obtain further benefits for the facility and anaesthesia fees. The procedure takes approximately 2 to 2½ hours to perform. Patients go home with their family and they usually take approximately 10 days to 2 weeks off work. The scars are hidden and fade with time. One of the procedures I have been performing over the last 20 years, is the Benelli or Periareolar approach, which limits the scar just around the nipple areolar complex without vertical or horizontal scars. Women seeking smaller reductions may be eligible for this procedure.

An example of recent breast reduction surgery is seen and the comments patients often receive, are how much weight they seem to have lost as they reduce from an E or larger cup down to usually a C cup.

Dr Darryl Hodgkinson