http://plasticsurgeryqueensland.com/

Plastic Surgery Queensland, Suite 2. 02 550 Stanley St, Mater Private Clinic, South Brisbane (2026)

$Recovery from a hand injury doesn't end when surgery is over.Whether it's a tendon repair, fracture or crush injury, reh...$

08/08/2026

Recovery from a hand injury doesn't end when surgery is over.

Whether it's a tendon repair, fracture or crush injury, rehabilitation is a crucial part of the journey back to normal hand function. While many people assume complete rest is the safest option, that's not always the case.

Tendons are designed to move smoothly through specialised tunnels in the hand. During healing, scar tissue naturally forms, but if the tendon remains completely still, it can adhere to the surrounding tissues. This may reduce finger movement and make simple tasks like gripping, writing or buttoning a shirt much more difficult.

Under the guidance of an accredited hand therapist, carefully controlled movement can often begin early in the recovery process. These exercises are specifically designed to protect the repair while encouraging the tendon to glide, helping to reduce stiffness and improve long-term function.

Every rehabilitation program is tailored to the individual injury, so it's important to follow the advice of your surgeon and hand therapist. In hand surgery, the operation is only one part of the treatment, the rehabilitation that follows is just as important.

05/08/2026

Recovery is a process, not a single moment.

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding plastic surgery recovery, and it can sometimes create unrealistic expectations about what healing should look like.

The truth is that every patient’s recovery is different. Healing is influenced by many factors, including the procedure performed, individual anatomy, lifestyle, medical history, and the body’s own natural healing response.

Discomfort, swelling, and changes during recovery can be a normal part of the process, but knowing what to expect and having the right guidance along the way can make a significant difference.

At Plastic Surgery Queensland, we believe education and realistic expectations are an important part of every surgical journey. Your recovery plan should be personalised, medically supported, and tailored to your individual needs.

It is also important to remember that not every surgical result is shared publicly, and there is a very good reason for this.

The decision to undergo surgery is deeply personal, and the choice to share photographs is equally personal. We respect every patient’s decision regarding the use of their images and remain committed to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.

While this means you may see fewer before-and-after images online, it reflects our commitment to ethical care and respect for the trust our patients place in us.

We are grateful to those patients who choose to allow their images to be used for education, helping others better understand procedures and potential outcomes. During your consultation, our team can discuss relevant examples in a private and professional setting to help you make an informed decision.

Because the surgical journey is about more than the result, it is about the care, guidance, and support along the way.

03/08/2026

You don't need to arrive with all the answers.

Many people delay booking a consultation because they feel they should already know what procedure they need, understand the medical terminology, or have a detailed plan.

The reality is quite different.

A consultation is the beginning of the process, not the final step.

At Plastic Surgery Queensland, our role is to listen, understand your concerns, perform a thorough assessment, and explain the treatment options that may be appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Sometimes that discussion leads to surgery.

Sometimes it leads to a non-surgical approach.

And sometimes the best recommendation is simply reassurance or choosing not to proceed at all.

Our priority is helping you make an informed decision based on your goals, your anatomy and your lifestyle.

You don't need to have everything figured out before you walk through the door.

You simply need to start the conversation.

Have you ever delayed booking a consultation because you weren't sure what questions to ask?

03/08/2026

Welcome Dr Alice Jiao to Plastic Surgery Queensland – Burleigh Waters

We are pleased to welcome Dr Alice Jiao to Plastic Surgery Queensland at our Burleigh Waters location, where she provides consultations and treatments in skin cancer medicine, comprehensive skin checks, and aesthetic medicine.

Dr Alice’s passion for skin cancer medicine began during her time in the Dermatology Department at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Her experiences caring for patients affected by skin cancer have shaped her commitment to providing thorough assessment, early detection, and personalised, evidence-based care.

Dr Alice is a member of the Skin Cancer College Australasia and has completed an Advanced Certificate in Dermoscopy and a Professional Certificate in Skin Cancer Surgery. She provides comprehensive skin assessments, dermoscopic evaluations, and management of skin cancers including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), where clinically appropriate.

Dr Alice also has an interest in aesthetic medicine and provides consultations for a range of cosmetic and skin concerns, including benign skin lesion assessment and removal, acne management, and scar treatments. Treatment options are discussed following an individual consultation to assess each patient’s needs, suitability, expectations, and the most appropriate management approach.

Committed to ongoing professional development, Dr Alice regularly attends skin cancer conferences and educational programs to maintain current knowledge of evidence-based approaches in skin cancer diagnosis and management.

At Plastic Surgery Queensland Burleigh, we are dedicated to providing personalised medical care in a professional and supportive environment, helping patients make informed decisions about their skin health and treatment options.

To book a consultation with Dr Alice Jiao, please contact Plastic Surgery Queensland Burleigh or book online through the link in our bio or via our website.

📍 Plastic Surgery Queensland – Burleigh Waters

31/07/2026

Rhinoplasty isn't just about appearance, it's also about function.

In Part 2, we explore how surgical decisions are made with both aesthetics and breathing in mind. Structural support, airway function and long-term stability are all carefully considered alongside the desired look.

Understanding these principles can help you ask more informed questions and better appreciate why every surgical plan is so individual.

If you found this series helpful, save it for later or share it with someone interested in learning more about rhinoplasty.

28/07/2026

One of the most common questions after surgery is:

"Will my stitches just dissolve?"

The answer is yes, but not all at once.

Dissolving sutures are made from specialised materials that gradually break down inside the body. As healing progresses, the stitches slowly lose their strength before being absorbed naturally over weeks or even months, depending on the type used.
In many operations, dissolving sutures are placed beneath the skin. Their role isn't simply to close the wound, they help support the deeper tissues, reduce tension on the skin surface and promote a stronger repair while healing takes place.

The stitches you can see on the outside are often different. These are frequently non-dissolving sutures that provide precise skin edge alignment before being removed once the wound has healed sufficiently.

The type of suture used depends on many factors, including:
• the tissue being repaired
• the amount of tension across the wound
• the location on the body
• how long support is needed during healing

Every stitch has a purpose, and choosing the right one is part of surgical planning.

24/07/2026

The difference between a good scar and a great scar can begin with a single stitch.

Most people focus on the thread.

Plastic surgeons focus on everything else.

Every stitch is placed with a purpose, considering the tissue beneath the skin, the direction of natural tension, blood supply and how the wound is expected to heal over the weeks and months ahead.

In many procedures, the first stitches are placed beneath the skin using dissolving sutures. These deeper sutures help support the wound, reduce tension on the skin and allow the tissues underneath to heal in the best possible position.

The outer layer may then be carefully aligned with fine sutures that are removed once the skin has had time to heal.

Think of it like building a house - the foundation is hidden, but it provides the strength. The deeper dissolving sutures support the wound from within, while the finer skin sutures help precisely laugh the surface during healing.

This is why suturing is one of the fundamental skills plastic surgeons spend years refining. It is not simply about closing a wound, it is about understanding anatomy, respecting the tissues and creating the best possible environment for healing.

Because in plastic and reconstructive surgery, the smallest details can have a lasting impact.

22/07/2026

Why does a plastic surgeon tilt a patient up during breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is not performed with the patient lying completely flat from start to finish.

One of the most important moments during surgery is when the patient is carefully elevated into a more upright position to allow the surgeon to assess the breasts in a more natural anatomical orientation.

When lying flat, gravity changes how the breast tissue and implants sit. The chest wall is horizontal, the tissues are redistributed, and the final position of the implant can be difficult to accurately judge.

By gently tilting the patient upwards, the surgeon can evaluate:
• Implant position and symmetry
Are both implants sitting at the correct height and aligned with the natural breast footprint?
• Breast shape and contour
Does the augmentation create a natural transition from the chest wall rather than an artificial or overly prominent appearance?
• Cleavage and medial fullness
Is the implant position achieving balance while respecting the patient’s anatomy?
• Overall proportion
Does the result complement the patient’s frame when viewed in a more functional, upright position?

This step highlights an important principle in plastic and reconstructive surgery:
The goal is not simply placing an implant, it is creating harmony between implant, tissue, anatomy, and movement.

A breast augmentation is a three-dimensional procedure performed on a living, moving structure. Surgical judgement continues throughout the operation, with adjustments made based on how the breast behaves in different positions.

The final result is shaped not only by the implant selected, but by precision, planning, and the ability to assess the breast as the patient will experience it in everyday life.

To learn more about breast augmentation and personalised surgical options, contact Plastic Surgery Queensland for specialist consultation and care.

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20/07/2026

Surgical treatment was performed by Andrew Hadj, and involved a bilateral revision mastopexy with augmentation and ar**la scar revision.

Breast Revision After Prior Reduction + Post-Pregnancy Changes

This patient previously underwent a breast reduction earlier in life and later experienced significant volume and shape changes following pregnancy and breastfeeding , a common and often expected outcome even years after initial breast surgery.

Procedure overview:
• Revision mastopexy: repositions and reshapes breast tissue following prior surgery and post-pregnancy changes
• Implant-based augmentation: restores lost upper pole and overall volume where tissue loss has occurred
• Ar**la scar revision: refines prior scarring to improve symmetry and contour definition

Nearly 80% of women experience measurable breast volume loss or shape change after pregnancy and breastfeeding, which is why many post-pregnancy breast restoration cases require a tailored combination of lift and implant rather than a single technique.

Healing timeline: This result represents a 6-week post-operative outcome. At this stage, the breasts are still settling, and implants will continue to drop and soften into a more natural position over the coming weeks to months as swelling resolves and tissues relax.

The goal of this procedure is not only restoration of volume, but long-term balance, proportion, and natural contour.

DM or call our office to schedule a private consultation (07) 3844 6069.
Empowered decisions start with informed conversations.

www.plasticsurgeryqueensland.com

*Disclaimer - All patients have consented to their images being published. These images are no guarantee of any individual surgical outcome, individual results may vary. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risks. This surgery has been performed by Dr Andrew Hadj registered Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (MED0001205402)

17/07/2026

Rhinoplasty is one of the most individualised procedure in plastic surgery.

No two noses are the same, and that means no two surgical plans are either. Factors like bone structure, cartilage shape, skin thickness and overall facial proportions all play a role in how a nose is assessed and planned.

In this first part, we're looking at the foundations - what makes each nose unique and why a tailored approach is essential.

Save this post if you'd like to come back to it, and stay tunes for Part 2.

Plastic Surgery Queensland

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