Questions worth
asking first.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a recognised surgical specialty in Australia. A Specialist Plastic Surgeon has undertaken accredited specialist surgical training and holds specialist registration in plastic surgery with the Medical Board of Australia (opens in a new tab).

Plastic surgery encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, including surgery of the breast, face, body, hand and skin, as well as complex reconstruction following cancer, trauma or other conditions.

FRACS stands for Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (opens in a new tab). It is a specialist surgical qualification awarded following recognised surgical training and assessment.

"Plast" denotes specialist training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

In Australia, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a recognised surgical specialty.

"Cosmetic surgery" describes surgery performed primarily to alter appearance; it is not itself the name of a recognised surgical specialty.

When considering surgery, patients may wish to check a doctor's registration and recognised specialty through the Ahpra public register (opens in a new tab).

Associate Professor Mikko Larsen is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with Australian and European specialist qualifications.

His qualifications include MD (Hons), PhD, FEBOPRAS and FRACS (Plast). His training has included plastic, reconstructive, aesthetic and hand surgery, together with additional fellowship training in hand and wrist surgery and reconstructive microsurgery.

Yes. MIKKO Plastic Surgery provides both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

The practice encompasses breast surgery, facial and body surgery, hand and wrist surgery, skin cancer surgery, head and neck reconstruction and complex reconstructive microsurgery.

Cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery draw on many of the same principles: detailed knowledge of anatomy, careful tissue handling, management of scars, preservation or restoration of function and thoughtful consideration of form.

Complex reconstructive practice also involves managing difficult surgical problems and complications. Ultimately, however, your choice of surgeon should depend on appropriate specialist qualifications, experience relevant to your procedure, communication and whether you feel comfortable with the proposed treatment plan.

Yes. Seeking a second opinion is entirely reasonable, particularly before significant or complex surgery. You should feel that you have enough information and time to make your decision without pressure.

You can search the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) public register. This allows you to check a doctor's registration and recognised specialty.

No. Breast implants should not be considered lifetime devices.

Further surgery may eventually be required because of implant rupture, capsular contracture, changes in the breast, implant position, symptoms or a patient's preference to change or remove their implants. There is not, however, a universal rule that every implant must automatically be replaced at a particular anniversary.

Reasons include capsular contracture, rupture, implant displacement, asymmetry, breast changes with time, previous implant-related complications or simply a wish to change or remove implants.

Revision surgery is often more complex than primary augmentation.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL, is a rare lymphoma of the immune system that develops in association with breast implants.

It is not breast cancer. It most commonly develops in the fluid and capsule surrounding an implant.

BIA-ALCL has been associated particularly with textured breast implants, and the risk increases with increasing degrees of surface texturing.

Australian regulatory action has consequently changed the availability of a number of textured implant products.

The most common presentation is new or persistent swelling of a breast caused by fluid developing around an implant, usually years after implantation.

Other presentations can include a breast or armpit lump or other unexpected changes.

New, unexplained breast swelling or a lump should be medically assessed.

Breast Implant Illness, also called systemic symptoms associated with breast implants, is a term used by patients and clinicians for a range of symptoms reported by some people with breast implants.

Reported symptoms include fatigue, "brain fog", memory difficulties, joint or muscle pain, rashes and hair loss.

These symptoms are real and deserve appropriate assessment. However, current evidence has not established a clear causal mechanism linking breast implants to this diverse group of symptoms, and similar symptoms can have many other causes.

Abdominoplasty removes selected excess abdominal skin and fat and can address laxity of the abdominal wall where appropriate.

Different operations—including mini, full and more extensive abdominoplasty procedures—are suited to different anatomical problems.

Liposuction removes selected localised fat through small access incisions.

Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and may also address abdominal wall laxity.

Liposuction cannot reliably tighten substantial loose skin, while abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss operation.

No.

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure for selected deposits of subcutaneous fat. It is not a substitute for weight loss or treatment of obesity.

Breast reconstruction may use implants, a patient's own tissue, fat grafting or combinations of these techniques.

Autologous reconstruction can include microsurgical transfer of tissue from areas such as the abdomen, thigh or buttock.

The appropriate approach depends on your anatomy, previous treatment, medical circumstances and preferences.

Microsurgery uses specialised magnification, instruments and sutures to operate on very small structures such as blood vessels and nerves.

In free-flap reconstruction, tissue is transferred from one part of the body to another and its blood supply is restored by connecting small arteries and veins.

You can contact MIKKO Plastic Surgery to arrange an appointment.

MIKKO Plastic Surgery Level 1, 247 Wellington Street Launceston TAS 7250 Telephone: (03) 6388 8118 Email: info@mikkoplasticsurgery.com.au If you are seeking cosmetic surgery, please arrange the required independent GP or specialist referral before your consultation.

You do not need to diagnose the problem or decide on an operation before seeing a plastic surgeon. A consultation is an opportunity to explain what concerns you. Dr Larsen can assess the underlying anatomy and discuss the reasonable treatment options—including the option of not having surgery.

No.

A consultation is an opportunity to obtain specialist advice. There is no obligation to proceed with an operation.

For elective surgery, particularly cosmetic surgery, we encourage patients to take adequate time to consider the information provided and make a decision without pressure.