Resource Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Mark Lee Plastic Surgeon

Dr Mark Lee and the team always ensure patients, past, present and prospective, are empowered to make informed choices about their healthcare and understand the risks and benefits of their preferred procedure.

Read on to find out more about the proposed regulatory action from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for breast implants and what it means for you.

Why is there a proposed cancellation or suspension?

The TGA is currently monitoring the association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare cancer of the immune system. This cancer is often called BIA-ALCL, or breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. While the factors that cause the cancer are not confirmed, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of BIA-ALCL including:

textured implants
bacterial contamination during surgery
the patient’s genetic predisposition
length of time the patient has had the implant.

The TGA has proposed the cancellation or suspension based on this rare complication and has identified possible implants that need to be further investigated to ensure the utmost safety for patients moving forward.

At this stage, this is just a proposed cancellation and leading implant manufacturers are conducting thorough data reviews and safety checks to establish any patient risks.

Does this affect all types of breast implants?

The TGA has proposed regulatory action in relation to a number of textured implants only. This includes all MENTOR® SILTEX® Microtextured Breast Implants and Expanders, as well as various other providers.

All reported cases of BIA-ALCL in Australia involve patients who have had a textured implant at some point in their life. Experts believe, based on the evidence currently available, breast implant associated cancer is not related to either the contents (saline/silicone) or shape (round/teardrop) of the implant.

What happens from here?

The companies who make the affected implants need to provide additional information including safety research and data to the TGA for assessment along with the results from their own laboratory tests. The outcome of this will determine whether the implants will continue to be used, be suspended for further research or be cancelled. When more information is available, we will make this available on our blog and social media pages.

I already have breast implants, do I need to get them removed?

Generally, if you have implants and you have not noticed any significant changes to your body, it is unlikely there is any reason to worry. Any changes you may notice are unlikely to be BIA-ALCL. Given BIA-ALCL is so rare, experts do not recommend preventative removal of breast implants, unless there are specific concerns or complications with the implant.

Our strongest recommendation is to consistently monitor your breasts and overall health, and always discuss any concerns or changes you have noticed with your GP or surgeon.

I’m looking at getting breast implants, what should I do next?

It’s important you understand any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, and no medical device is completely without risk.

If you are considering breast implants, we recommend booking an appointment with Dr Lee to discuss your desired outcome, explore the benefits and risks of the different types of implants, and determined the right type of implant for you.

If you would like to learn more about the possibility of breast implant removal surgery, or have any concerns about your current breast implants, Dr Lee and his team are always more than happy to talk about your options. Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

Useful links

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Breast Implant Hub

TGA’s review of textured breast implants and preliminary outcomes

For anyone considering a surgical procedure, it’s important to understand that not all surgeons or practitioners who offer cosmetic surgery are necessarily qualified to do so. The appearance of the ‘cosmetic surgeon’ title has become seemingly more widespread over the last few years as demand for cosmetic procedures has continued to grow.

Today, it is legal for any doctor in Australia with a medical degree to operate – which is problematic for patients who aren’t aware of the crucial difference between the qualifications behind each title. Therefore, any doctor is able to self-identify as a ‘cosmetic surgeon’, regardless of their training or experience in the complexities of plastic surgery.

Any person considering a cosmetic procedure should always consult with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon to ensure they are receiving care and advice from someone who is fully qualified to do so. A Specialist Plastic Surgeon will have a medical degree, as well as –

Accreditation from the Commonwealth Government to perform invasive cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in hospitals and accredited day surgeries
Extensive surgical education and training including a minimum of 12 years medical and surgical education
At least 5 years of specialist postgraduate training

While many non-surgical procedures can be performed by a Registered Nurse (such as dermal fillers), oversight and training provided within a clinic overseen by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is always preferable.

If you have any concerns about your surgeon’s accreditation, consult the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons website.

According to the ASAPS Annual Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Survey, “November to January is the busiest time in a Specialist Plastic Surgeon’s diary – performing more than 30% of the annual total number of procedures during this period.”

Whether you’re ready to start your journey now or just researching your options, it’s important to think about three key things before you go under the knife.

Surgeon – This is one of the most important decisions you will make when considering your procedure. Your surgeon should be a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in the specific procedure you’re undergoing. They should explain their approach based on your personal goals, body shape and any existing medical conditions. Sharing your motivations and ideal outcomes will help your surgeon determine the best way forward, so open communication is very important. We recommend writing down any questions you have ahead of your consultation so you can understand what to expect and feel completely comfortable with your surgeon.
Expectations – Once you’ve spoken to your surgeon about your goals, it’s important to understand what is realistic and achievable for you. Being clear on exactly what you’re hoping to gain from the procedure (reference images are always helpful) will help your surgeon clarify any limitations or recommendations. While Dr Lee specialises in surgical procedures with minimal post-operative scarring, this is also something to consider when you discuss your expectations.
Recovery – Ensure you have adequate time away from work or other commitments to fully recover, remembering that this experience will vary between both procedure and patient depending on many factors. Dr Lee will provide you with thorough instructions on post-operative care, which is critical to ensure your overall wellness and optimise the outcomes of your procedure. It’s also helpful to understand how long it’ll take your body get ‘back to normal’ – inflammation and minor scarring can take some time to settle – even when you’re feeling fully recovered.

Dr Lee and his team pride themselves on outstanding patient care, both before and after surgery. His experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery spans over 20 years, remaining committed to the latest advances in technique and technology. Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more.

A dermal filler is a gel injected into the skin, specifically designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, contour the face and create volume. When administered correctly by an experienced cosmetic professional, dermal fillers can help you achieve a more youthful and invigorated look.

Dermal fillers contain a substance that replicates the actions of a naturally occurring sugar molecule, attracting and holding water to assist with skin hydration. The product is injected under the skins surface to “fill in” and “plump up” the static facial wrinkles that are present at rest.

Although most well-known for plumping pouts and enhancing cheek bones, dermal fillers are a versatile treatment that can be used in a range of areas of your face to reshape and increase volume. Fillers can be injected into the lips to add volume, around the eyes to minimise crow’s feet and into the cheeks and jawline for enhanced definition.

Recently, the addition of local anaesthetic in dermal fillers has made the experience much more comfortable for patients, reducing discomfort and numbing the injected area. If pain is a concern, numbing cream can also be applied to the area before treatment begins.

Dermal fillers come in a range of consistencies that are used on different areas of the face. From very light textures for delicate areas such as the lips, to denser consistencies for larger areas with deeper folds. Results are often instant and can last from three to six months.

Dr Lee and his team have launched a new clinic called Enhance, specialising in dermal fillers and other non-surgical cosmetic alternatives. Our fully accredited registered nurses will carry out your treatment, overseen by a specialist plastic surgeon for your peace of mind. The extensive experience and anatomical understanding of facial muscles means we can determine the optimum placement and quantity of filler you require.

If you’d like to explore the possibility of dermal fillers, we offer a free initial consultation to determine your specific requirements and desired look.

We would love to hear from you on 9382 3340 or click here to make an obligation free appointment to discuss your Enhance treatment options.

Useful Links

What you need to know about non-surgical procedures

Although we often think of breast implant insertion as a ‘typical’ plastic surgery procedure, an increasing number of women are choosing to have their breast implants removed for a number of different reasons. Over the past year, Dr Lee has seen a significant rise in cases of women requesting to have their implants removed – from around five women a year to over 100.

The reasons for removal will vary from patient to patient, but are commonly –

Personal preference – Initial implants yielded a poor result, change of preference for breast shape or size, natural change of shape due to hormones, pregnancy and weight fluctuations
Medical complications – Implants may become infected, rupture, shift position or ‘deflate’ over time, potentially a result of the how the insertion was originally performed, or just a natural deterioration of the implant over time

Complications resulting from breast implants tend to be more prominent for women who undergo this procedure overseas, so patients should always consider these risks before choosing their surgeon.

Some women are also opting for explant surgery due to increased concern over breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare cancer that develops near breast implants. Although uncommon, BIA-ALCL is most likely caused by the use of textured implants, bacterial contamination during surgery, genetic predispositions and the age of the breast implants.

In all of these cases it is important that the implant and all of the surrounding capsule is removed. If your plastic surgeon has concerns about silicon leakage, or biofilm formation which could lead to cancerous cells, then all the surrounding scar tissue will also be removed. This surgery is significantly longer and more complicated.

If your breast skin has been stretched or has sagged, a mastoplexy, also known as a breast lift may be performed by your plastic surgeon. This involves removing any excess breast tissue to provide better support and produce a better aesthetic outcome.

Whilst recovery is always dependent on the individual and their surgeon, recovery after explant surgery is often smoother than initial breast implant surgery. Scarring typically heals very well and is usually quite discrete.

Call us on 9382 3340 or click here to contact us for further information.

Useful Links

Safe Breast Implants Research Foundation

Breast Implants & Rare Cancer Risks

Often referred to as “Australia’s national cancer”, melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australian men and women with 13, 941 new cases reported in 2017 alone. Five people are expected to die from the aggressive and often fatal form of skin cancer every day. For the fortunate ones who catch it early, the survival rate for melanoma can be up to 95 percent.

In a world first, researchers at the Edith Cowan University Melanoma Research Group have developed a blood test that is capable of detecting melanoma in its early stages with up to 80 percent accuracy.

Relying on biopsies alone to detect melanomas can often be problematic for clinicians due to their invasive nature. The newly developed blood test, called MeIDX, works by detecting the antibodies the body produces as soon as a melanoma begins to develop. The test provides a starting point for clinicians before they begin other invasive testing to confirm the presence of the skin cancer.

Dr Lee has collaborated with Professor Mel Ziman, Lead Researcher of ECU’s Melanoma Research Group and a raft of other medical experts in Oncotarget’s latest journal article on MeIDX.

It is anticipated that in conjunction with other current diagnostic techniques, MeIDX will help to improve early detection which is key for survival. Researchers will now undertake a clinical trial to help refine the test and further improve its precision. The team expects the testing will take three years, with MeIDX being available for use in pathology clinics shortly afterwards.

As former Deputy Director of WAKMAS (Western Australian Kirkbride Melanoma Advisory Service), Dr Lee is an expert in the latest research management of melanoma, underpinning his approach to associated surgical procedures.

To learn more about the ground breaking MeIDX and the research behind it, head to;

ECU News
Visit WAKMAS
Learn about Mark’s Skin Cancer & Melanoma procedures

For some it may appear cheaper to travel overseas for cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures; and the idea of an overseas holiday combined with your procedure can seem ideal. While all surgery carries some inevitable risk, all patients should be aware these can be drastically increased when it is performed overseas.

Managing complications, wound healing and infection can become very costly and challenging following an international surgical procedure. Costs can also increase dramatically if there is revisionary surgery required after the patient returns home, and there is a chance that not all post-operative complications can be corrected to achieve a ‘normal’ aesthetic appearance.

For more information and advice on cosmetic tourism visit the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons website www.plasticsurgery.org.au.

The entire human body is covered in hair. While most of the time hair is fine and not overly noticeable, many of us, both men and women, have darker more obvious hair in places that we simply don’t want it. Whether it comes down to hygiene or personal appearance, excess body hair is considered by those who have it as a bit embarrassing and downright annoying to manage, especially on the legs, arms, underarms, chest and back.

Luckily for us, IPL hair removal treatments have become the norm when it comes to types of hair removal techniques. No longer do women have to speedily shave their legs every day and incur those painful nicks and cuts, nor do men have to endure the awkward and sometimes painful experience of a back wax. With an IPL treatment, men and women can say goodbye to discomfort and irritated skin.

IPL or Intense Pulsed Light, is a type of hair removal treatment that can permanently reduce the growth of hair over time. Here at Mark Lee Plastic Surgeon in Perth, our nurses use the Cutera ProWave IPL system, which harnesses a tailored light source to target hair follicles which absorb the light, thus disabling the follicle.

Because hair grows in cycles and not all hair on the body is at the same stage at any one time, it can take multiple IPL treatments to effective reduce the growth of hair. The quality of the IPL treatment also depends on the thickness and colour of the hair and the amount of hair follicles, but generally speaking it usually takes between four and six treatments to achieve a significant reduction of hair.

The advantages of IPL hair removal include:

IPL treatments are best described as a hot flicking sensation, that settles quickly post treatment
IPL is one of the safest and most tested methods of permanent hair reduction
IPL is a quick treatment that will not prevent you from undertaking your normal daily activities post treatment
IPL is suitable for numerous areas of the body, from the small space of the underarms to the large area of the back
The most advantageous reason to choose IPL is its ability to permanently reduce hair growth

Have you been thinking about IPL as a possible treatment for hair removal? Come and talk to us at Mark Lee Plastic Surgeon in Perth, we use the latest ProWave hair removal technology available on the market. We offer a no obligation consultation with our cosmetic nurse at our Perth location to discuss IPL and other hair removal treatments that we offer. Call us on 9382 3340 or click here to contact us for further information regarding IPL.

Dr Mark Lee’s innovative approach to breast reconstruction can be a less confronting option for women. Mark has been working to reduce scarring in breast reconstruction in the hope it will make the decision for a preventative double mastectomy easier.

Dr Mark Lee’s plastic reconstructive scarless latissimus dorsi (LD flap) technique for breast reconstruction is receiving international recognition for it’s benefits to patients. The procedure allows the patient’s muscle flap to effectively be harvested without scars on the patient’s back.

This minimally invasive breast surgery technique is currently being undertaken at St John of God’s hospital in Subiaco.

Read more in the article featured in St John of God’s Wellvision magazine.