Preparing for Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Mon 3rd Aug 2026
If you’re considering a Breast Augmentation (breast implants), the first step is to book an initial consultation with Dr Eddy Dona in his Sydney-based rooms. This consultation will not only determine whether you are suitable for the procedure, but should also provide you with all the information you need so that you can decide whether breast implant surgery is suitable for you.
In this article, we discuss:
- What’s a Breast Augmentation?
- Tasks to complete before your appointment
- Your physical assessment
- Topics Dr Dona will cover
- Questions you may want to ask
What Is a Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation surgery (Bilateral Augmentation Mammoplasty or BAM) is a surgical procedure that involves breast implants to increase the size of the breasts. You may wish to have this procedure for cosmetic reasons, or for reconstructive purposes, for example, if you’ve had breast cancer treatment.
Before Your Consultation Day
See Your GP for a Referral
Before you see Dr Dona, you’ll need a referral from your GP. Tell your GP why you would like to have breast implants, and ask them to specifically address the referral to Dr Eddy Dona at Bella Plastic Surgery. The referral must be received no later than the day before your appointment.
Prepare Your Information
Preparing certain information can significantly improve the quality of your consultation as it helps Dr Dona understand more about you and your needs. For example, think about gathering the following information:
Document Your Medications: Create a list of the prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements or herbs you currently take so that Dr Dona and/or your anaesthetist can advise you whether you need to make any changes before or after your surgery.
Think about Your Reasons for Surgery: Be clear about why you want Breast Augmentation surgery and what type of look you want to achieve. Would you like a subtle adjustment to volume? Do you find that certain clothing doesn’t fit you due to a lack of breast tissue? Alternatively, are you after a dramatic increase in breast size? Is there a particular look you’d like to achieve, and any look that you would like to avoid? You may want to share images of the type of aesthetic you desire to help convey your objectives.
Write a List of Questions: It’s easy to forget things, so make a list of everything you’d like to ask. You might want to ask about having more children, how long you’ll stay in hospital, when you can return to work, gym or swimming, when you can wear normal bras, or how you can avoid complications. No question is too minor or insignificant.
A lot of this information will be discussed with you during your appointment, but it’s good to have a list so you can ensure that your most important concerns are covered.
Find a Bra & T-Shirt: You’ll be asked to bring a non-padded bra and a light-fitting T-shirt to your appointment.
Your Consultation
Your Assessment
Your consultation with Dr Dona will start with a discussion and physical examination.
DISCUSSING GOALS & MEDICAL HISTORY
- Your Objectives: You’ll have the opportunity to share your desired shape, size and overall look of your breasts.
- Medical Background: You’ll share information about past surgeries, your current medications and supplements, and general health history.
- Lifestyle Factors: You’ll discuss your lifestyle, work commitments, activity levels and any plans for future pregnancies.
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
Breast Measurements: Dr Dona will measure your chest and breasts. This includes assessing your breast symmetry, breast shape, breast sag, skin elasticity, consistency of breast tissue and nipple and areola size. Dr Dona will also try to determine your ‘breast footprint’. This means determining how much of your chest wall your new breasts should take up.
Photographs: Pictures of your chest will usually be taken for your medical file and surgical planning.
Trying implant sizers: Dr Dona will give you implant sizers to place into your bra to see how different sizes fit your frame.
Surgical Planning
Using Dr Dona’s measurements, your sizing, and your objectives, Dr Dona can determine which implant will give you the look you are after. This will include reviewing implant choices such as round or teardrop-shaped, low, medium, or high-profile implants, and whether the implant will be placed below or under the muscle.
Dr Dona will then explain the procedure to you, including the location of your incisions, his proposed implant placement techniques, and approximately how long the procedure will take.
Potential Risks and Complications
All surgery carries risks, and it’s important to be aware of these risks before proceeding with any surgery. This is why Dr Dona will explain any potential risks and complications associated with your procedure to you. You’ll also receive written information about this.
Your Hospital Stay
Dr Dona performs all his Breast Augmentation surgeries in a private hospital with the patient under general anaesthesia. Most patients undergo the surgery as a day procedure, returning home that evening; however, Dr Dona will discuss this with you in person.
Medicare & Private Health Insurance
Most Breast Augmentation procedures are deemed cosmetic and therefore do not attract a Medicare item number and rebate. As Private Health Insurance will only cover procedures that attract a Medicare item number, you will not receive any rebate from your fund.
However, if you are having a Breast Augmentation for reconstructive reasons, such as after breast cancer treatment, or for specific congenital reasons such as severe tuberous breasts or asymmetry, Medicare may cover you and also your Private Health Insurance fund. In these instances, Dr Dona will explain how Medicare and your private health insurance may carry some of the costs.
Your Results
Dr Dona will show you images of similar Breast Augmentation procedures and describe how you can expect your breasts to look and feel post-surgery. He will also discuss whether there will be any loss of sensation and where your scars will be placed.
Your Recovery
Your recovery timeline will also be explained to you during your consultation. It’s important to understand what’s involved in your recovery so you can prepare your home, take time off from work, delegate various housekeeping and family commitments and so on.
You can find detailed information on Breast Augmentation recovery here.
Costs
Following your consultation, Dr Dona’s clinical team will provide you with a surgical plan, along with a detailed breakdown of your individual procedure costs (this is called your surgical quote).
The costs for your procedure will include:
- Your initial consultation
- Follow-Up appointments
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anaesthetist’s fee
- Theatre fee
- Hospital fee
- Medical supplies
The team will also include information on Medicare and Health Insurance Fund rebates, if applicable.
About Dr Eddy Dona
Dr Eddy Dona is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who has dedicated his career to Plastic Surgery since 2007, and has special interests in both breast and reconstructive surgical procedures. He is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).
