Breast Surgery Melbourne

Dr Gary Kode and his surgical team are dedicated to providing patients with respectful and attentive care throughout every stage of their surgical journey.

Breast Surgeries by Dr Gary Kode

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Breast surgery is a highly personal decision that can correct asymmetry, restore volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or relieve discomfort caused by large breasts. Whether you are considering breast augmentation, a breast lift, breast lift and enlargement, breast reduction, or fat transfer, it is essential to understand the procedure, recovery process, and expected outcomes.

Dr Gary Kode, a Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon in Melbourne, offers tailored breast surgery solutions. With decades of surgical experience, he is known for his meticulous approach and commitment to natural-looking results. Unlike many surgeons, Dr Kode does not use a surgical assistant—he personally performs every aspect of the procedure, ensuring precision and consistency.

On this page, we will cover everything you need to know about breast surgery, including candidacy, procedure types, recovery, and potential risks.

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Surgery?

Choosing to undergo breast surgery is a personal decision, and it is important to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. Dr Gary Kode assesses each patient carefully during consultation to determine if surgery is appropriate.

Ideal Candidates:

• Are in good general health and non-smokers, as smoking can increase the risk of complications, slow down the healing process, and affect overall surgical outcomes.
• Have a stable body weight, as significant weight fluctuations can impact the results of breast surgery, potentially affecting symmetry and long-term outcomes.
• Are looking to improve or correct breast shape and size due to natural asymmetry, volume loss from ageing or pregnancy, or dissatisfaction with their natural proportions.
• Experience physical discomfort due to large breasts (for reduction procedures), including back pain, neck strain, shoulder grooves from bra straps, and limitations in physical activity.
• Understand the commitment to recovery and post-operative care, including wearing compression garments, attending follow-up appointments, and following detailed care instructions to ensure optimal healing and results.

Patients with a BMI above 30 require a detailed anaesthetic assessment due to higher surgical risks, including increased chances of complications such as poor wound healing, infection, and prolonged recovery. Patients with a BMI over 35 are not eligible for elective breast surgery at Glenferrie Hospital in Melbourne, as higher BMI levels can pose significant risks during and after surgery.

Types of Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Dr Gary Kode tailors every surgery to the patient’s anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. The most common procedures include:

Breast Augmentation

For patients seeking larger, fuller breasts, augmentation with implants is the most effective solution. Dr Kode uses Motiva implants, which are carefully selected based on the patient’s body type and aesthetic goals to ensure the most natural and harmonious results.

• Implant Placement: Almost all implants are placed above the muscle (subglandular placement) for a more natural contour and to prevent issues associated with under-muscle placement, such as distortion with movement, increased risk of implant displacement, and long-term discomfort due to muscular contractions.
• Incision Location: The inframammary fold (under the breast) is the preferred incision site for its discreet placement, optimal surgical control, and lower risk of complications such as capsular contracture or implant malposition.
• Insertion Method: Dr Kode uses a Keller Funnel for no-touch, sterile implant insertion, reducing the risk of contamination, improving implant positioning, and minimising tissue trauma during placement.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift corrects drooping, restores firm positioning, and optimises shape by removing excess skin and reshaping the underlying tissue.

• Anchor (Wise Pattern) Lift: Best for significant drooping or post-pregnancy volume loss. This technique provides maximum reshaping and long-term support, though it does involve a more extensive scar pattern.
• Short Scar or Peri-Areolar Lift: Suitable for mild to moderate drooping, offering less visible scarring while still achieving noticeable lifting and reshaping of the breast tissue.
• Single-Stage Lift & Augmentation: Patients who want both a lift and implants can often have the procedure done in one stage, depending on suitability, ensuring a streamlined recovery process and a single surgical event instead of multiple procedures.

Breast Reduction

For patients experiencing neck, back, or shoulder pain due to large breasts, a breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) provides relief and improved proportions, enhancing both aesthetics and physical comfort.

• Removes excess tissue, fat, and skin to reduce volume while maintaining a natural and proportionate breast shape.
• Improves breast symmetry and contour, reducing the strain on the upper body and making physical activities more comfortable.
• Often covered by private health insurance if deemed medically necessary, though individual coverage varies depending on insurance policies and clinical assessments.

Fat Transfer to Breast

For those wanting a subtle enhancement, fat transfer uses your own fat to add volume and improve shape, providing a completely natural alternative to implants.

• Natural feel and contour with no implants required, ensuring a soft and realistic breast shape that moves naturally with the body.
• May require multiple sessions for significant volume increase, as not all transferred fat cells survive the process, and some volume may be reabsorbed by the body over time.
• Ideal for fine-tuning breast shape after augmentation or lift, helping to refine contours, fill in minor irregularities, and improve overall breast symmetry.

Breast Implant Removal & Replacement – Implant Exchange

Many patients consider changing their existing breast implants for a variety of reasons – upsizing, downsizing or replacing older implants with a more modern implant design. Breast Implant Removal & Replacement surgery may be a solution for you.

Breast Surgery Procedure

Every surgical procedure with Dr Gary Kode is performed at accredited hospitals in Melbourne, including Glenferrie and Masada Hospitals, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery:

• Pre-Surgery Preparation: Patients arrive at the hospital for pre-operative checks, which include final assessments, surgical markings, and discussions about anaesthesia and post-operative care.
• Anaesthesia: Procedures are performed under general anaesthesia, administered by a highly experienced anaesthetist to ensure patient comfort and safety throughout the surgery.
• Surgical Steps:
  • Incisions are made based on the selected procedure, carefully placed to minimise visibility and promote optimal healing.
  • Implants (if used) are positioned meticulously to ensure natural symmetry and proper placement within the breast pocket.
  • Drains may be used depending on the procedure type, particularly in breast reduction and lift surgeries, to help remove excess fluid and prevent complications.
  • Incisions are meticulously closed with multiple layers of sutures to ensure long-term durability, reduce tension on the skin, and refine scar healing.

Dr Gary Kode personally oversees every step of the procedure without the use of surgical assistants, ensuring a high level of precision and continuity of care from start to finish.

FAQs About Breast Surgery

Book a Consultation

If you are considering breast surgery and would like to understand your options in a safe, respectful, and medically guided setting, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr Gary Kode, Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon based in Melbourne.

During your consultation, Dr Kode will take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your medical history and physical characteristics, and outline a personalised surgical plan tailored to your needs. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, review before-and-after photos of similar procedures, and discuss realistic outcomes and the steps involved.

To book your consultation, please contact our clinic directly. Our staff will assist you with appointment availability, provide helpful information, and ensure you feel good and informed as you begin your journey.

We look forward to supporting you in making a well-informed decision about your care and helping you achieve natural, long-lasting results that align with your vision.

Further Reading