Have you considered plastic, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery? Let’s face it, who hasn’t at some point or another. Whether having babies took a toll on your body, you’re unhappy with your appearance or simply looking for the best scar treatments, there are so many reasons you might choose to go down this path. We chat with a plastic surgeon on the North Shore, Dr Alaina Taylor, and answer all your questions.
About Dr Alaina Taylor: Plastic Surgeon on the North Shore
Dr Alaina Taylor is a fully qualified, female Specialist Plastic Surgeon on the North Shore. She specialises in restorative, reconstructive and and cosmetic surgery of the breast, body and face and provides bespoke non-surgical skin and facial rejuvenation treatments.
What sets her apart is her genuine and approachable manner that puts patients immediately at ease. Her patients feel comfortable, heard and well-informed during their journey. These attributes, along with her expertise and sound judgement, ensure that she will provide safe, sensible advice and deliver excellent surgical outcomes.
Qualifications
Born and raised in Sydney, Dr Taylor attended Abbotsleigh Girls School and then completed her medical degree (MBBS Honours) at the University of Sydney finished her Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours in Pharmacology and went on to receive her medical degree with Honours from the University of Sydney. She then completed two years of junior doctor training before gaining acceptance into an advanced surgical training program. She embarked on eight years of advanced surgical training which included three years of General Surgery and five years of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, achieving fellowship to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 2018.
Dr Taylor is one of very few, female Plastic Surgeons in Sydney, who offers the full range of breast reconstruction techniques. Following her training, Dr Taylor travelled to the Leon Bérard Cancer Centre in Lyon, France, to learn advanced fat grafting techniques with Dr Emmanuel Delay, the President of the French Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and a world pioneer and expert in fat grafting. Fat grafting techniques are broadly applicable in Plastic Surgery, but particularly advantageous for breast reconstruction, congenital breast deformity (asymmetrical breasts) and breast implant removal as well as facial surgery, irradiated skin, scars and other soft tissue defects.
Dr Taylor now works exclusively in private practice consulting in North Sydney, Potts Point and Westmead. She operates at multiple private hospitals across Sydney.
Services
Face
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
- Facelift
- Lipomodeling (Fat transfer)
- Non-surgical facial rejuvenation: anti-wrinkle treatment, fillers, radiofrequency microneedling
Breast
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Asymmetry
- Breast Lift
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Revision Surgery
- Gynecomastia
- Lipomodeling (Fat Transfer)
Body
- Abdominoplasty
- Body lift
- Arm lift
- Thigh lift
- Liposuction
- Lipomodeling (fat transfer)
- Labiaplasty
- Post bariatric surgery
- Gynaecomastia
Skin
- Skin cancer
- Benign skin lesions
- Cosmetic mole removal
- Scar revision and management
Non Surgical
- Antiwrinkle injections
- Dermal Fillers
- SkinNeedling
- Radiofrequency Microneedling
- Skincare
Hands
- Carpal tunnel release
- Dupuytren’s surgery
- Trigger finger release
- Ganglion surgery
All your questions answered…
We chat with Dr. Alaina Taylor, plastic surgeon on the North Shore, about the the services she offers, common fears and what to expect from that first appointment.
What do you consider the biggest advantage of being a female plastic surgeon?
I consider the greatest advantage of being a female plastic surgeon is having an innate understanding of my patient’s mindset (men as well!) which is paramount for their holistic care and also being better able to understand their aesthetic goals.
It is a privilege to be able to offer women a safe alternative to seeing a male surgeon for sensitive issues concerning their body and to help empower women to make decisions that move them closer to self-acceptance and body positivity.
What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
The most satisfying part of my job is performing complex surgery to a very high standard, having my patients have a smooth post-operative course and seeing the good outcome that is achieved as a result. Seeing how relieved patient’s are once they have had surgery and are happy with their results, is very rewarding for me.
What questions are your patients nervous to ask? What do you tell them?
Patients are generally nervous to admit they would like to enhance or change a part of their body for aesthetic reasons or just for themselves and will often start with a functional or medical concern. I think for my female patients, some women still feel some sense of shame when it comes to doing something just for themselves or for their bodies and some of them struggle with the idea of it being self-indulgent. Some will allude to judgement or disapproval they receive from their husbands who have brushed off such ideas and said “oh you don’t need that,” or “that’s a waste of money”. I see my role as a female Plastic Surgeon is to empower women and men with information, best practice treatment options and to do this with non-judgement and compassion.
What happens at the first consult?
The first consultation is a get to know you session and a chance for patients to ask questions and gather any information they are seeking. We discuss the patient’s specific situation, concerns and desired outcome. I take a medical and surgical history and identify any potential risk factors for surgery and gather information to ascertain whether or not the patient is a suitable candidate for surgery.
It’s important that I have a good understanding of my patient’s social history and lifestyle so we can develop a plan together that will work best for their current situation. Patients are given privacy to change into their undergarments if necessary and I will perform a physical examination, take measurements and clinical photographs. Depending on the procedure 3D simulation software may be used during the consultation to generate predicted surgical results. It’s a great tool for “trying on” different breast implant sizes, for example.
I may refer for some investigations that are required such as blood tests or scans. I see all patients at least twice before proceeding with surgery, so sometimes the final plan comes together at the second appointment after investigations and any other necessary information is gathered. I will develop a tailored treatment plan and discuss what is involved in a procedure, the risks and complications and likely outcomes. I will then spend some time answering any questions the patient may have.
How do you talk women through their options?
I spend a lot of time personally talking my patients through their options. I discuss what’s involved in each procedure, the potential risks and complications, and the likely outcomes. Where there are different options I will outline the pros and cons for each. I think that is important to have all the information to make informed decisions and no one likes surprises along their surgical journey.
Essential Details: Dr Alaina Taylor
- Address: North Sydney, Potts Point and Westmead
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1300 664 883
- Website: dralainataylor.com
- Follow: Instagram | Facebook
