Cosmetic Surgery Info Centre

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

Before & After Double Eyelid Fold Surgery by Dr. Hodgkinson

Double Eyelid Fold surgery or Asian blepharoplasty is sought after by Asian patients who may not have an upper eyelid fold when their eyes are open or who have heavy upper eyelids. The “double eyelid” look is very popular and many basic techniques have been used such as simply placing a stitch through the eyelid. These simple solutions are only temporary and more often than not do not create the desired result. For a better looking and permanent result, proper surgery is required by a surgeon with expertise in Asian eyelid surgery.

The surgical procedure which is used to create the most attractive, natural and permanent result involves making an attachment between the levatar muscle that lifts the eyelid and the skin of the eyelid. While both Caucasians and Asians already have this natural attachment, the problem in the Asian patient’s eyes is that it is usually much lower and therefore may not be perceptible even when the eyelid is open.

The surgeon’s experience with Asian patients is critical as it is very important to place the fold at the correct height. If a height is chosen that might be normal for Caucasions, it may look unnatural. Dr Hodgkinson has years of experience with Asian blepharoplasty and creating Double Eyelids as well as a large group of very satisfied Asian patients.

For more information on Double Eyelid Surgery or any other cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, or to make an appointment to see Dr. Hodgkinson please phone the clinic on 02 9362 7400 or email us on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com We look forward to hearing from you.

Before & After Liposculpture with Skin Etching by Dr Hodgkinson

Liposuction for men is very different rom liposuction for women. In women, the goal is to sculpt a smooth contour to create a lovely feminine figure, whereas in men the goal is to sculpt a highly contoured physique which reveals the muscles and sinews of the male body. This muscular, “ripped” look has always been associated with masculinity as we can see from classical sculpture.

The problem for men is that they tend to accumulate fatty deposits around the middle leaving them with a ‘gut’, ‘love handles’ and often fatty deposits on their backs. These fatty deposits can be resistant to diet and exercise. Because of this, men in their 20s to 40s who are finding it hard to win the battle of the bulge may consider body contour surgery to regain or create their physique.

Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, in the hands of an expert can employ many technologies and techniqes to literally sculpt a more masculine physique. One of these techniques which requires years of experience to be carried out effectively is ’skin etching’ which can create specific contours to give the ’six-pack’ appearance. Other techniques include the ultrasonic and pneumatic techniques which can reduce the trauma to the tissues and allow for a faster resolution of the swelling.

Patients usually return to work in a week and the result continues to resolve and improve over approximately three months.

For more information on liposculpture, skin etching and other cosmetic surgical procedures or to make an appoinment to see Dr Hodgkinson, send us an email at info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com or phone the clinic on 02 9362 7400.

Before & After Otoplasty Surgery by Dr Hodgkinson

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is often thought of as surgery for children with ’sticking out ears’.  While it is not uncommon for parents to bring children in to discuss otoplasty with Dr Hodgkinson due to teasing and bullying at school as well as self-consciousness, otoplasty is a procedure also sought after by adults to improve their self-image.  Many of these adults have thought about surgery as a possibility since childhood and seek ‘to take control’ by addressing their personal life-long concerns.

In most cases, even when only one ear appears to protrude or ’stick-out’ both ears are usually operated on to ensure a more balanced appearance post-operatively.  No surgery can predict perfect symmetry and indeed no person is perfectly symmetrical but the improvement in proportion and shape makes most patients, young and old, delighted with the results.

The surgery is performed as a day procedure in Dr Hodgkinson’s fully licensed and accredited, purpose built day surgery facility - The Double Bay Day Surgery. Stitches are usually removed, or dissolve in about a week and adult patients usually return to work about five days after surgery.

To find out more about Otoplasty or any other cosmetic-plastic surgical procedures or treatments, call the clinic today on 02 9362 7400 or email us on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com

Before & After Rhinoplasty by Dr. Hodgkinson

Many nose surgery patients want a change but are concerned that their new nose may not suit their face.  At The Cosmetic & Restorative Surgery Clinic in Double Bay, Dr. Hodgkinson and his team of staff specialiasts use various tools to help a patient communicate what they are expecting in terms of a result or look and for Dr. Hodgkinson to explain to the prospective patients what is actually possible to achieve in their specific case.

One of the most powerful tools employed is Computer Imaging.  This allows a patient to be directly involved in assessing their face and the balance of their features.  The clinic also has books of before and after results of Dr. Hodgkinson’s work.  Many patients like to make a ’scrap-book’ of noses that they do and do not like to communicate with Dr. Hodgkinson what types of noses they believe would be attractive for them and what types of noses they do not desire.

After deciding on the look that is both appropriate and achieveable and after determining that if you are healthy,  if you are able to make the commitment to a few weeks off of work or study, then nose surgery might indeed be right for you.

For more information on rhinoplasty/nose surgery or other cosmetic surgical procedures, please call the clinic on 02 9362 7400 to speak to one of our staff specialists or email us on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com

Before & After Rhinoplasty & Liposuction to the Neck by Dr Hodgkinson

The major hallmarks of a profile are the shape and size of the nose, the contour of the jawline and the position of the cheekbones.  For some people, the neck area is a repository for residual fat regardless of their weight or fitness level and is often a hereditary feature.  For the younger patient who still retains the elasticity of their skin and where the fullness of the neck is indeed just “puppy fat” and not sagging tissues - liposuction of the neck can be effective in sculpting a more defined and natural looking jawline.  At the same time if necessary, a rhinoplasty can be performed to give the overall profile a more balanced and attractive appearance.  Both these procedures are same day procedures and are carried out at our fully licensed and accredited day surgery centre, The Double Bay Day Surgery.

For more information on liposuction to the neck, rhinoplasty or other cosmetic plastic surgical procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us by email on info@cosmeticsurgeryoz.com or call us on 02 9362 7400.