If you follow popular media, then chances are you’ve seen an influx in the number of celebrities and other high-profile figures undergoing blepharoplasties, rhinoplasties, abdominoplasties, and any other combination of ‘plasties’. But what is rhinoplasty? What do these terms mean? In a nutshell, they are all different types of plastic or cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery is actually on the rise here in Australia as well, with more and more Australian citizens opting to go under the knife to correct signs of ageing like wrinkles or even to reshape their nose, lips, breasts, and virtually any other part of their body. So that raises the question of ‘what are Australia’s most popular cosmetic procedures’? We’ll be answering just that question today by outlining three of the most highly sought after cosmetic procedures nationwide.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a procedure done to the nose that addresses various cosmetic concerns, including size, exterior and nostril shaping and overall proportional symmetry. Aesthetic issues like crookedness, prominent dorsal humps and overly-bulbous nose tips can also be fixed by rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty can also fix non-aesthetic problems: deviated septums and enlarged turbinates are examples of functional problems that impede nasal airflow. Correcting these problems eliminates breathing difficulties by straightening air passageways, which allows for improved sleep, comfort and athletic performance.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general or local anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s pain tolerance and the operation’s complexity. Your surgeon might perform closed or open surgery. Rhinoplasty involves the surgeon making incisions inside the nostrils or across the columella, which is the tissue strip between the nostrils.

These incisions allow the surgeon to reshape the underlying bone, soft tissue and cartilage to achieve the patient’s desired functional or aesthetic goals. It’s for this reason that rhinoplasties are typically also combined with face lift procedures for a total cosmetic transformation!

Of course, when considering rhinoplasty, prospective cosmetic patients also need to think about recovery from their procedure. The experience during post-procedure recovery varies depending on the patient. A common symptom is swelling and/or bruising for one to two weeks. To promote proper healing and to ensure the best surgery results, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow the post-operative care instructions provided by their surgeon and clinic staff.

The nose surgery procedure can be highly personalised. When consulting with your doctor, discuss your goals and objectives thoroughly.

Breast Augmentation

Another procedure with lots of research behind it is breast enhancement, which is also one of the most popular cosmetic procedures globally. Breast enhancement surgery allows the patient to transform their overall figure and achieve improved posture, proportions, appearance, and self-confidence.

There are several types of breast augmentation, including implants, lifts and fat transfers. Implants can be either silicone or saline. We’ll explore these two options further below.

Silicone

Due to their gel filling, silicone implants have a more natural look and feel, mimicking the feel of original breast tissue. Silicone breast augmentation minimises the risk of leaks and ruptures. Breasts also maintain their shape and integrity over time, reducing the risk of visible deformities.

Silicone is best for those looking for a smoother breast contour, and it’s suitable for those with minimal existing breast tissue. It helps one achieve a fuller, more proportional appearance. 

It’s important to remember that the incision size for this procedure is larger than with saline due to the pre-filled and non-adjustable nature of the implant.

Saline

Saline implants involve a silicone shell that is inserted into the empty breast cavity and then filled with a sterile saltwater solution. How much solution is used depends on the patient’s desired volume. Using saline allows for optimal symmetry, since surgeons can adjust size during the operation.

The incision size for saline implants is smaller due to the post-placement fill procedure, usually resulting in less noticeable scarring and a quicker recovery time.

In the rare event that an implant ruptures, the released saline solution would be harmlessly absorbed by the body. You’ll know you need a replacement if there’s noticeable deflation. 

Whether one chooses silicone and saline depends on the desired outcome and the patient’s baseline anatomical features. To determine the most suitable choice, have a chat with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.

Mastopexy

Also known as a breast lift, a mastopexy aims to reshape and raise sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue areas. This procedure can be combined with breast augmentation for better results, especially for those with ptosis (sagging) and asymmetry due to factors like pregnancy, breastfeeding, ageing and weight fluctuations.

A mastopexy involves careful incisions to remove stretched excess skin tissue, allowing for significant lifting and reshaping for enhanced contouring and symmetry. Post-op, patients can expect minor swelling, bruising and pain. These symptoms can be managed with the use of supportive post-surgical bras and taking ordinary pain medications.

Mastopexy results are often immediately noticeable, and will improve further once the swelling subsides and the breasts settle into their new positions.

In Summary

According to ACCSM, 38% of Australia’s residents have thought about getting some sort of procedure done, such as body contouring and facial rejuvenation, to feel better about themselves and their appearance. The top two most popular selections at the moment are rhinoplasty and breast enhancement.

As fashion and lifestyle trends come and go, however, it’s likely that some of the other treatments and procedures we’ve mentioned in this list will climb to that #1 position here in Australia. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future of style and beauty has in-store for us.

Australia’s cosmetic surgery is known for being one of the safest around due to its regulatory and ethical rules. Anyone getting cosmetic surgery done here can rest easy in the knowledge that they’re in good hands.
No matter what your cosmetic needs, there’s a good chance that there’s an affordable and viable solution for you. You may even be able to have some of the costs of your treatments covered by Medicare, so long as you have documentation that supports your procedure is being performed to correct a medical condition. Be sure to speak with a certified cosmetic specialist to learn what’s possible.