If you have symptoms like swelling, lumps, pain, or skin changes, you should see a doctor. Your GP will refer you to the surgeon who operated on your breast.
If you can't get in to see your original surgeon, your GP can refer you to another surgeon.
Looking for help
There are several different types of medical practitioners who can help:
Plastic surgeons
- Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
- NSW Health toolkit for the management of breast implants
Breast surgeons
Cosmetic physicians/surgeons
General practitioners
If your doctor says your condition needs emergency treatment, go to the emergency department. Some public hospitals have outpatient breast clinics.
Finding information
The surgeon who did your breast implant surgery can give you the details of the device you have. If your surgery was in a public hospital, you can ask the hospital for your medical records.
At the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), we do not hold personal information about patients and their devices.
The Government has introduced new requirements for all implantable devices. Patients getting breast implants will get an implant card with device details for their records.
The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) is a clinical quality registry. It tracks the outcomes and quality of all breast device surgery performed across Australia.
If your breast implant surgery occurred between 1998 and 2015, your data may be held by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
If you’re concerned
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the surgery or follow-up care.
You can also reach out to an independent health authority in each state and territory.
- ACT - ACT Human Rights Commission
- NSW - Health Care Complaints Commission
- QLD - Office of the Health Ombudsman
- SA - Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
- TAS - Health Complaints Commissioner Tasmania
- VIC - Health Complaints Commissioner
- WA - Health and Community Services Complaints Commission
Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority (AHPRA)
Check registration and qualifications of your treating practitioner by visiting the AHPRA website. AHPRA can also receive complaints from patients about a practitioner's conduct.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Provides guidance in clinical concerns and can direct you to the help.