A reader is concerned about her daughter's plans to head to Thailand for breast implants.
OUR beautiful daughter, 21, is saving for a trip to Thailand for breast implants. We tried to change her mind, but she won't be swayed. She says we should consider ourselves lucky she told us beforehand, rather than simply coming home with a surprise. I suspect she hoped we would contribute financially but that is absolutely out of the question. I cannot understand why she wants to mutilate her perfect, natural body. I fear for the consequences such as complications, infection and scarring. Will she be unable to breastfeed our grandchildren, when the time comes? Can you direct us to reliable information about the risks, so we can help her make a more informed choice?
ANSWER: It seems your daughter is determined to have breast implants. The panel recommends a different approach. Find out why she wants to have the implants. Get her to consider having it done in Australia where the procedure is safer, rather than going to Thailand where safety cannot be guaranteed. 
Possibly get her to see her local doctor to discuss the issue and explain the pros and cons. If there are psychological reasons for having implants then a referral to a psychologist would be a good idea. If she is having breast implants for cosmetic reasons the procedure is not covered by Medicare so she may need to consider taking out private health insurance, but there will be a delay before she can use it and check to see if the procedure is covered.
If she still wants to have the procedure performed then you will need to consider how best to support her decision, which may include financial assistance. The important thing in all of this is your daughter's safety.
With any surgical procedure there is a risk of infection and scarring, but if performed by a qualified Australian plastic surgeon this risk is small. If performed overseas the risk is much higher.
If the surgery is performed in Australia your daughter will most likely be able to breastfeed but it depends on the reason for the surgery and technique used. If would be worth speaking to a plastic surgeon about this before having surgery.
ELDER ABUSE I AM puzzled by the media campaign against elder abuse. The advertisements are rather vague. Why is the State Government suddenly drawing attention to this issue? How is it different to other forms of abuse?
ANSWER: Sadly, around one in 20 older Australians experience some form of financial, emotional, physical or sexual abuse from a person they know and trust. Older people are often more vulnerable to abuse too, with increasing frailty and decline in their physical or mental condition. To make matters worse, elder abuse often goes undetected as it happens in relationships where it is least expected to occur.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of elder abuse and educate the community about the rights of older people and how they can be protected. The different campaign advertisements are designed to highlight the types of abuse older people can be subjected to, as well as the signs to look for. They also give the community an avenue for further information and support through a dedicated phone line and website.
For more information, call the Elder Abuse Prevention Phone Line on 1800 372 310 or visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/stopelderabuseWRITE TO US: Send questions to Family Forum, The Advertiser, 31 Waymouth St, Adelaide 5000 or email family.forum@news.com.au We treat communications in strict confidence except when the law demands otherwise, as in child abuse. Relationships Australia SA appoints panels of general practitioners, medical specialists, lawyers, therapeutic and financial counsellors to discuss each letter before the appropriate professional answers it.
COUNSELLING AGENCIES: Professional counselling is available from Relationships Australia (SA), (08) 8223 4566; CentaCare Catholic Family Services (08) 8210 8200; Uniting Communities (08) 8202 5111; Unitingcare Wesley Bowden (08) 8245 7100; community health centres (listed in the telephone directory); and the Anglicare Loss and Grief Centre (08) 8131 3400. Medicare-reimbursed counselling can also be obtained with a referral from a GP to apsychologist or mental health social worker.