Why do we have a BRA Day?

Australia has low rates of breast reconstruction compared with other developed countries. This is despite research and clinical evidence that shows that women can benefit both physically and emotionally from a reconstruction.

BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Day was founded in Canada in 2011 to highlight low reconstruction rates. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) launched BRA Day Australia  in 2013 to raise awareness about breast reconstruction so all women, no matter where they live,  have the same access to information.

BRA Day is not about trying to talk people into having a reconstruction; but simply to ensure all women and their doctors to have a conversation about breast reconstruction so women undergoing a mastectomy are aware of their options.

For more information around BRA Day, visit our dedicated Breast Reconstruction page here. Additionally, for specific information about out procedures relating to breast reconstruction, you can also find this information here.

About Dr Yvonne Chow

Dr Yvonne Chow is a plastic surgeon with special interests in the areas of skin cancers, breast reduction surgery, breast cancer reconstruction surgery, and general hand surgery. Dr Chow completed her undergraduate education at Monash University in 2000. She undertook her plastic surgical training in Victoria, gaining her fellowship in 2010.

To find out more about Dr Yvonne Chow visit her ASPS Find a Surgeon profile here.

The post Q&A with Dr Yvonne Chow & Melissa Woods – Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day 2024 appeared first on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

In this Q&A Dr Shahriar Raj Zaman talks us through a trauma case with complex reconstructive hand surgery.

About Dr Shahriar Raj Zaman

Dr Shahriar Raj Zaman is a fully qualified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Western Australia in 2009 and pursued several years of surgical training not only in plastic surgery but also in neurosurgery and general surgery. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

His surgical experience is extensive and particular interests include hand surgery, melanoma & skin cancer, complex microsurgical reconstructions as well as aesthetic breast and body contouring surgery. Dr Zaman’s warm and caring approach ensures that he provides a personalized bespoke treatment plan for you. His treatment philosophy is that reconstructive and aesthetic surgery should be a very positive and life enhancing experience with exceptional level of service and care.

To find out more about Dr Zaman visit his Find a Surgeon profile here, or alternatively you can visit his Perth based practice here.

The post Q&A with Dr Zaman – Complex hand reconstructive surgery appeared first on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

In this Q&A Dr Somia explains how liposuction and non surgical treatments can work together for lipoedema management.

About Dr Naveen Somia

Dr Naveen Somia is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, who trained in Australia and continues to practice across both public and private hospitals in NSW. He is also a published author across many scientific journals who takes an active interest in the teaching, training and mentoring of Australia’s future plastic surgeons, which he thoroughly enjoys.

To find out more about Dr Somia visit his Find a Surgeon profile here, alternatively find out more by going to Dr Somia’s website here.

Further resources

A list of articles providing more information and research on liposuction for lipoedema, can be accessed below. **Please note some of these articles may require subscriptions.

1. Amato AC, Amato JL, Benitti D. Efficacy of Liposuction in the Treatment of Lipedema: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2024;16(2). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55260
2. Baumgartner A, Hueppe M, Meier-Vollrath I, Schmeller W. Improvements in patients with lipedema 4, 8 and 12 years after liposuction. Phlebology. 2021;36(2):152-159. https://doi.org/10.1177/02683555209497
3. Klöppel M, Römich D, Machens H-G, Papadopulos NA. Quality of life following liposuction for lipoedema: a prospective outcome study. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2024.02.048
4. Kruppa P, Georgiou I, Schmidt J, Infanger M, Ghods M. A 10-year retrospective before-and-after study of lipedema surgery: patient-reported lipedema-associated symptom improvement after multistage liposuction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2022;149(3):529e-541e. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000008880
5. Schlosshauer T, Heiss C, von Hollen AK, Spennato S, Rieger UM. Liposuction treatment improves disease‐specific quality of life in lipoedema patients. International Wound Journal. 2021;18(6):923-931. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13608
6. Witte T, Dadras M, Heck F-C, et al. Water-jet-assisted liposuction for the treatment of lipedema: standardized treatment protocol and results of 63 patients. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2020;73(9):1637-1644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2020.03.002

The post Q&A with Dr Naveen Somia – Liposuction for Lipoedema Patients appeared first on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.