Plastic Surgery Sydney Interview with Dr. Sawjin Tew

Our Manly spoke with Sydney Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sawjin Tew about her plastic surgery practice and the various procedures she regularly performs in Sydney today.

OM: What are the main procedures and most popular plastic surgery procedures you perform?

ST: My practice is about 50% cosmetic plastic surgery, about 30% reconstructive surgery and 20% emergency work.

My cosmetic work covers face, breasts and the body. Of the cosmetic work, eyelids rejuvenation is probably popular procedure, followed by breast reduction.

My areas of interest and expertise in plastic surgery are:

1. Skin cancers/moles – removal
2. skin defects – flap and graft repairs
3. trauma – lacerations, soft tissue injuries, reconstruction of eyelids, lips and ears
4. scars – revisions
5. minor burns – skin grafts, dupuytren’s contractures, carpal tunnel ganglions
6. breast – enlargements, lifts, reductions, reconstruction, male breast reduction
7. face – SMAS lifts, MACS lifts, cheek implants, browlift, thread-lifts, chin implants, dermis grafts, lip enhancement, anti-wrinkle injections, depigmentation treatment
8. eyelid – rejuvenation
9. nose – reshaping
10. ears – reshaping/correction
11. fillers – deep wrinkles, nasolabial folds
12. body – liposuction, liposculpture, laserlipolysis
13. tummy tuck – lower body lift
14. labioplasty

OM: Do you perform non-invasive or non-surgical procedures?
ST: Yes, anti-wrinkle injections and fillers are some of the procedures I perform.

OM: What are some of the reasons people come to you for these procedures? Explain the difference between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
ST: Patients would like to look better and therefore feel more confident about themselves in social situations. For some patients who work in a competitive environment, they feel they need to look good for their age in their careers.

For reconstructive surgery, there is deformity due to disease or trauma, or a birth defect that needs to be corrected. For cosmetic surgery, patients are improving on their current appearance. Sometimes, the distinction is blurred, as eyelid rejuvenation can be “reconstructive” if the excess upper eyelid skin is obstructing vision and causing problems.

OM: What are some of the more recently developed or innovative procedures you perform?
ST: I am continually improving on my surgical techniques by attending conferences and visiting other plastic surgeons. This year, I am interested in an improved face and necklift technique.

OM: What are some of the dangers involved with these procedures?
ST: It is difficult to go into too much detail as there are surgical risks, general and specific, with any operation, and anaesthetic risks. These risks are minimised if the plastic surgeon and anaesthetist are well trained.

OM: What procedures would you consider your specialities?
Plastic surgery procedures such as breast reductions, breast implants, eyelid rejuvenation, facelifts, correction of bat ears, liposuction, abdominoplasty and labioplasty.

OM: What are the general demographics of your patients? Are they from all backgrounds and age groups?
ST: For reconstructive surgery, they are generally over the age of 40. For cosmetic surgery, there are twice as many females than males, and they are from all backgrounds and age groups.

OM: What areas in Sydney do you service?
ST: My plastic surgery practice services The Northern Beaches, Lower North Shore and Manly.

Procedures requiring general anaesthetic or deep sedation are performed at private hospitals such as Delmar Private Hospital and Castlecrag Private Hospital in Sydney, and Nowra Private Hospital in Nowra. Local anaesthetic procedures are performed at Manly Waters Private Hospital, Pittwater Day Surgery, North Shore Specialist Day Surgery, and at the Chatswood office. Reconstructive procedures for public patients are performed at Manly Hospital in Sydney and Shoalhaven District Hospital in Nowra.

OM: Without naming names, have you ever treated any famous/celebrity patients?
ST: Yes!

OM: Have you ever had request for plastic surgery which you couldn't perform for one reason or another?
ST: I don’t perform gender re-assignment surgery, commonly known as 'sex change' surgery.

OM: Are there any patient success stories that come to mind? Is it fulfilling to see an increase in patients' self-esteem after a procedure?
ST: The vast majority of my patients are very happy with their surgery, and it is definitely fulfilling to see an increase in the patients’ self-esteem after a procedure.

OM: Do you treat both private and public patients?
ST: Yes

OM: Are you a member of any professional associations? What qualifications do you hold?
ST: I am member of The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) , The Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and I have a Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in plastic surgery. I also have the following degrees; Master of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours).

OM: Are their private health fund or Medicare rebates available for plastic and reconstructive surgery?
ST: Yes, for all procedures with the exception of liposuction, first time breast implants, lower eyelids, and facelifts

OM: How can prospective patients book appointments with you?
ST: (02) 9411 2266 is the number for all appointments.

Read more about Dr. Tew and her Sydney Plastic Surgery Services.

Tummy tuck cost, before and after photos, and liposuction can all be discussed with Dr. Tew.

To book a confidential, no obligation Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery appointment with Dr. Sawjin Tew, call: (02) 9411 2266 today.