- Has completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) with at least a further 7 years of extensive surgical education and training post medical school.

- Has completed the additional training and undertaken extensive examination to become a Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons with the letters (FRACS).  So Make sure your surgeon has these letters behind his name: Dr Cheng MBBS (FRACS).

- Is only able to operate in accredited medical facilities such as liscenced hospitals and day surgeries with a qualified anaesthetist.

- Is governed by a strict code of ethics.

- Has to demonstrate to their governing college that they remain current and up to date in their specialty area by demonstrating involvement in activities such as further education and training,  reporting on and maintaining patient safety data.

So when choosing your surgeon make sure they have the right qualifications to look after you!

At Brisbane Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Centre we have also noticed that many diagnostic centres  in brisbane are offering bulk billed MRI scans for patients with PIP breast implants.  You will need to obtain a Doctor’s referral to have this scan.

1) Contact the Doctor or Surgeon who performed your surgery to find out the type of breast implants that were used.  Your Doctor or Surgeon should be able to provide these details from their operation records. If your original Doctor was a Plastic Surgeon it is likely that your breast implants were registered with the Australian Breast Implant Registry.  You can contact the Registry on 02 9437  9200 for further details.

2) In the event you are unable to contact your original breast implant Doctor, you could also consult with you local Doctor/(GP) or make an appointment with Dr Cheng at Brisbane Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Centre for an individual clinical assessment and advice regarding your breast implants.

3) For general advice you can also contact the Government run Breast Implant Information Line on 1800 217 257.

Dr Cheng and Brisbane Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Centre wishes to reassure all of our patients past and present that he has never used PIP implants.  Should you require further information regarding your breast implants please feel free to contact us office on 3870 3960.

In addition, we have registered all of our breast augmentation patients  with the Breast Implant Registry of Australia. You can contact the Register on 02 9437 9200 for further details regarding the type of breast implants used for your surgery.  This is a central and private register that keeps the details of your prostheses in a central location so that at any future point you may contact this register for information about your breast implants.  It is useful in the event of breast implant recalls recalls whereby patients can be contacted immediately.  It is therefore important to keep your contact details current with this breast implant register.

The Australian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons have also released a statement:

“Patient safety is our priority and as specialist plastic surgeons our recommendation is always to err on the side of caution. If anyone has concerns, they should consult with their doctor or surgeon for an individual  assessment”, he said.

“Patients with PIP implants are urged to see their surgeon and undergo an ultrasound or similar test within the next six months to check for rupture. If there is evidence of rupture then both implants should probably be removed,” Peter Callan said.

More recently Associate Professor Rod Cooter, President Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, that Medicare will subsidise MRI scans of PIP implants to assess if they’re ruptured.

In addition the Australian Government has set up a free Breast Implant Information Line for people concerned about breast implants.  The help line can be called 24 hrs a day on 1800 217 257.

Brisbane Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Centre Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Am I eligible for implants?

Most people are eligible for implants to help enhance the appearance of their breasts for medical or aesthetic purposes.  You are not eligible if you have untreated breast cancer or infection, are under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or nursing.

Will insurance cover the implant procedure?

Insurance companies do not usually cover implant surgery performed for cosmetic reasons. If, however, there is a significant difference in size of your breast, you may be eligible for private health fund rebate. Please discuss this during your first consultation with Dr Cheng.

How will my breasts look and feel after the breast augmentation operation?

Some discoloration and swelling will occur initially after the procedure, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month. After recovery, many women equate the feel of their breast implants to that of a teenage girl with young, healthy, firm breasts. Saline breast implants feel a bit firmer (both inside and outside the body), while silicone gel breast implants are the softer, and more natural feeling implant.

Will there be scarring?

Scars are a part of the breast augmentation process. You will have one, whether it is around the areola or under the breast. Fortunately, breast augmentation scars, regardless of where they are located, tend to heal extremely well. Scars are usually small and inconspicuous, and Dr. Cheng’s goal will be to make sure the scar is as unnoticeable as possible.  Over time, the scars will fade as well.

Will I have swelling?

Swelling is very common post-operatively, so you will most likely have swelling to some degree. The swelling will dissipate within a few days to a few weeks. Sleeping in a reclining position until your swelling goes down may help. This helps the fluid move away from the breast. Less fluid means less tension on the breast, which means less pain.

When can I expect to return to work and resume my normal activities after my breast augmentation?

While it will take several days to return to normal activities after your breast augmentation, it is important to your recovery that you get up and move around.  After breast augmentation, it is often possible to return to work within two weeks depending on the nature your job. Physical activity should be avoided for at least the first couple of weeks following surgery. After that, care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least 6 weeks.

How long will the results last after a breast augmentation?

Gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman’s breasts. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift operation to restore their youthful contour.

Are breast implants permanent?

Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, but can sometimes last for up to 25 years with no problems. Removal and/or replacement may be required. If you have any concerns related your implants, you should arrange a review appointment with Dr Cheng.

Can I choose to have the implant removed?

Implants are removable, but keep in mind that you may experience dimpling, puckering, wrinkling or other cosmetic changes after the implant is taken out.

Can I breastfeed after receiving an implant?

Breast implants do not tend to affect your ability to breastfeed.