Plastic Surgery FAQ
All your questions answered about cosmetic surgery, skin and reconstruction procedures
Questions answered by Dr Jeremy Rawlins
Breast augmentation, breast lift and abdominoplasty
Most popular cosmetic procedures in Perth
Breast augmentation
What is breast augmentation and who is it for?
Breast augmentation is a type of cosmetic surgery to increase breast size and improve shape. It may suit women who feel their breasts are too small, uneven, or have lost fullness after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss.
What breast implant options are used for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation can involve different implant types and placements, depending on your body shape and goals. Some patients may also be suitable for fat transfer breast augmentation instead of implants.
What is breast augmentation recovery like?
Most patients recover from breast augmentation over about six weeks. Light activities can usually start after the first week, but heavy lifting and chest exercise need to wait longer.
Breast cosmetic surgery
When is breast surgery for a breast lift or breast reduction worth considering?
Breast surgery may be worth considering if your breasts feel heavy, sagged, uncomfortable, or out of proportion. A breast lift focuses on shape and position, while a breast reduction also removes extra breast tissue and skin.
Can breast surgery combine a breast lift with breast augmentation?
Yes, breast surgery can sometimes combine a breast lift with breast augmentation. This can help restore both breast volume and shape in one operation for selected patients.
How long is recovery after breast surgery?
Recovery after breast surgery varies, but many patients are moving more comfortably within the first couple of weeks. You will still need to avoid strenuous activity and follow garment and wound care instructions carefully.
How do I know if I’m ready to discuss breast lift or breast reduction with a plastic surgeon in Perth?
You do not need to feel completely certain before booking a consultation. Many women come in feeling unsure, especially if they’ve been uncomfortable for years or are worried about scars, recovery, or whether surgery is really justified. A consultation with a plastic surgeon in Perth should give you space to talk things through properly, understand your options, and go away with clear information before making any decision.
Abdominoplasty
What does abdominoplasty help with?
Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and can also tighten stretched abdominal muscles. It may help after pregnancy or major weight loss when diet and exercise are not enough.
What is the difference between abdominoplasty and liposuction?
Abdominoplasty is mainly for loose skin, muscle separation and abdominal contour. Liposuction removes stubborn fat, but it does not do much for extra or saggy skin.
What is abdominoplasty recovery like?
Abdominoplasty recovery depends on how extensive the surgery is. Most patients need compression garments for several weeks, and short walks early on are encouraged while heavy activity must wait.
Can I see a plastic surgeon in Murdoch to talk through abdominoplasty without feeling rushed into surgery?
Yes. An abdominoplasty consultation should be a chance to ask honest questions about loose skin, muscle separation, recovery, scarring, and whether abdominoplasty surgery is appropriate for you at this stage. At Forme in Murdoch, the aim is to help you understand your options clearly, with time to reflect before moving ahead; not to push you into a quick decision. For cosmetic surgery, there must be at least two consultations and a minimum 7-day cooling-off period before surgery can be booked.
Facelift, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, genital surgery
Other cosmetic procedures
Facelift
What does a facelift improve?
A facelift lifts and firms sagging skin on the face and neck. It is designed to improve facial shape and definition rather than make you look like a different person.
What types of facelift are available?
A facelift may be done as a standard facelift or a mini facelift, depending on how much skin laxity there is. The right option depends on your skin, facial structure and goals.
How long does facelift recovery take?
Facelift recovery is usually quicker than many patients expect. Bruising and swelling often improve from around day five, and many people return to work after about two weeks.
Can I talk to a plastic surgeon in Perth about facelift surgery before deciding if it’s really right for me?
Yes. A facelift consultation should give you the chance to talk honestly about what is bothering you, whether that is loose skin, heaviness through the lower face, or changes in your neck. It should also help you understand what facelift surgery can realistically improve, what recovery involves, and whether now feels like the right time to consider it, without any pressure to commit.
Rhinoplasty
What can rhinoplasty change?
Rhinoplasty can change the shape, size and profile of the nose. It can also help with function, including improving airflow or correcting changes after injury.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can be performed using an open or closed approach. Open rhinoplasty is often used for more complex reshaping, while closed rhinoplasty may suit more limited changes.
What is rhinoplasty recovery like?
Rhinoplasty recovery involves swelling, congestion and a splint for the first week. Many patients return to light activities within a few days, but the final shape settles gradually over months.
Can I see a plastic surgeon in Perth to talk through rhinoplasty if I’m worried about getting it wrong?
Yes, and that is a very common concern. Rhinoplasty is a big decision because the nose sits in the centre of the face, so it makes sense to take your time. A consultation should help you talk through your concerns, understand what changes may be possible, and make sure you feel informed and comfortable before deciding whether to go ahead.
Otoplasty
What is otoplasty used for?
Otoplasty is used to improve ear shape, prominence or size. It may suit adults or children who feel self-conscious about ears that stick out or look uneven.
Are there different types of otoplasty?
Yes, otoplasty can include set-back ear surgery for prominent ears or reduction otoplasty for ears that are too large. The procedure is tailored to the shape of each ear.
What is otoplasty recovery like?
Otoplasty is usually done as a day procedure. You will need to wear a bandage for the first week, then a headband, and most patients can return to work or school after a few days.
Can I book an otoplasty consultation in Perth if I’ve been thinking about my ears for years but still feel unsure?
Yes. Many patients have been bothered by the appearance of their ears for a long time before they finally come in to talk about it. An otoplasty consultation should feel like a chance to ask questions, understand what cosmetic ear surgery involves, and work out whether it feels right for you or your child, rather than feeling pushed into a decision.
Genital surgery
Why do some women consider labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty may be considered if the labia feel too long, uncomfortable in clothing, or bothersome during exercise or intimacy. It can also help with asymmetry or scarring from prior trauma or surgery.
How is labiaplasty performed?
Labiaplasty is usually performed using either a trim technique or a wedge technique. The most suitable approach depends on your anatomy, goals and what balance of scar placement and tissue removal is needed.
Can I talk to a plastic surgeon in Perth about labiaplasty in a private and low-pressure setting?
Yes. Many women feel self-conscious bringing up labiaplasty, especially if they have been quietly dealing with discomfort or worry for a long time. At Forme, we understand this can feel like a very personal subject, so we take care to keep the consultation private, respectful and low-pressure, with time to talk through your concerns and understand your options clearly.
What can phalloplasty improve?
Phalloplasty can be used to increase penis length or girth, depending on your concerns and anatomy. It may also be considered where there are concerns about scarring, trauma, congenital differences, or changes after previous surgery.
What is recovery like after phalloplasty?
Recovery after phalloplasty may include swelling and bruising, which usually peak in the first few days and then gradually improve. Depending on the type of phalloplasty, you may need an overnight hospital stay, and you will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity while healing.
Can I talk to a plastic surgeon in Perth about phalloplasty in a private and low-pressure setting?
Yes. Concerns about penis size, shape, scarring or previous injury can feel very personal, so the consultation needs to be handled with sensitivity and discretion. The aim should be to give you clear information about what phalloplasty may involve, what may or may not be achievable, and whether genital surgery is the right step for you, with time to think things through carefully.
Skin cancer surgery
Skin procedures
Skin cancer surgery
What does skin cancer surgery treat?
Skin cancer surgery is commonly used to treat basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The aim is to remove the cancer fully while planning the reconstruction carefully.
Why might a plastic surgeon perform skin cancer surgery?
A plastic surgeon can combine cancer removal with reconstructive techniques that aim to minimise scarring. This can be especially important for visible areas such as the face, head and neck.
What is recovery like after skin cancer surgery?
Skin cancer surgery is often done as day surgery. The first few days are usually more uncomfortable than painful, and resting early helps reduce swelling and bruising.
Can I see a plastic surgeon in Murdoch about skin cancer surgery if I’m worried about scarring on a visible area?
Yes. That is often one of the first concerns patients have, especially when the skin cancer is on the face, head or neck. A consultation at Forme in Murdoch can help you understand how the skin cancer will be removed, what reconstruction may involve, and how the area can be repaired as carefully as possible while still focusing on safe treatment first.
Burns surgery, hand surgery
Reconstructive procedures
Burns surgery
When is burns surgery needed?
Burns surgery is usually needed for deeper burns that damage the full thickness of the skin or more. These burns often need specialist dressings, surgery and ongoing rehabilitation to heal well. At Forme, burns care is led by Dr Jeremy Rawlins, who also leads a team at the State Adult Burns Unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch, so patients are supported by a surgeon with deep experience in complex burns and reconstructive care.
What first aid should you do before burns surgery is considered?
For many burns, the first step is to run cool water over the area for 20 minutes as soon as possible. Early first aid can reduce burn depth and may lower the need for more extensive treatment later.
Can burns surgery help with burn scars and contractures?
Yes, burns surgery can also help treat burn scars and contractures. Depending on the problem, treatment may involve skin grafts, flaps, tissue expansion, laser therapy or scar revision techniques.
Can I talk to a plastic surgeon in Perth about burns surgery if I’m still dealing with scarring or tightness after my burn healed?
Yes. Even after the skin has healed, burns can leave behind scarring, discomfort, tightness or restricted movement that continues to affect everyday life. A consultation with Dr Jeremy Rawlins at Forme in Murdoch can help you understand whether burns surgery or scar treatment may improve function, comfort or appearance, and which options are most suitable for your stage of healing.
Hand surgery
When should you see a specialist about hand surgery?
Hand surgery may be worth considering if pain, numbness, stiffness, lumps or injury are affecting how your hand works. It can help with both trauma and longer-term conditions.
What conditions can hand surgery treat?
Hand surgery can treat a wide range of conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s disease, ganglion cysts, trigger finger, fractures and fingertip injuries.
Is hand surgery usually done as day surgery?
Many hand surgery procedures are done as day surgery, depending on the condition and complexity. Some injuries, especially severe trauma or fingertip injuries, may need more urgent treatment or a hospital stay.
Can I see a hand surgeon in Perth if I’m not sure whether my hand problem is serious enough for treatment?
Yes. Many people put up with pain, numbness, stiffness or lumps in the hand for a long time before seeking advice. A consultation at Forme in Murdoch can help clarify what is causing the problem, whether treatment is needed, and what your options are, so you can make a decision based on clear information rather than trying to push through it.
Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgeons Perth
Why Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery in Perth?
From your initial contact with us, through to your consultation, surgery, and aftercare, we are dedicated to providing exceptional clinical care and support at every step of the process.
We understand that consulting a specialist can be a significant decision. Our approach is focused on providing clear, supportive, and professional guidance to help you feel confident and well-informed throughout the process.
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Hand Surgeon Perth
Risks & Complications
All surgical procedures involve potential risks. Learn more about the considerations involved by visiting our Risks & Complications page.
Considering starting this journey with us? Request an appointment to discuss your options and explore the best treatment plan for your needs.
