BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast Augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to
increase the size and enhance the shape of one's breasts. Not
only can this procedure enhance your appearance, it can possibly
help build your self esteem. Also as a result of the procedure,
many women have found it easier to dress in certain styles of
clothing. Women have different reasons for undergoing breast augmentation.
The best candidates for breast augmentation are:
- Women who feel their breasts are too small and looking to improve their figure
- Women who have lost breast volume and shape as a result of pregnancy and nursing
- Women whose breasts have lost volume and shape as a result of aging
- There is a significant difference in the sizes of both breast
- Weight loss has changed the shape and or size of your breast
Silicone gel "cohesive" implants are now available for breast augmentation procedures and approved by the F.D.A. for cosmetic purposes. For additional information regarding these new implants, please contact our office.
The breast augmentation procedure involves
the surgical placement of an implant within a woman's breast.
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either a saltwater
solution known as saline, or filled with a silicone gel. If the
saline-filled implant leaks, the fluid is absorbed into the body.
This is the same as if the saline were given as an IV fluid. Currently
the FDA approves saline-filled implants to be used on an unrestricted
basis, while silicone gel-filled implants are only to be used
in certain cases. Information regarding implants is discussed
with the patient during consultation and at the time of surgery.
The incision can be placed in a number of different locations including around the areola, in the armpit, but often times it is made underneath the breast and just above the crease. The doctor takes every effort to assure that the incision is placed so the resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. After the incision is made, a pocket is created either under the breast tissue or under the pectoralis muscle. This pocket is made just large enough to accommodate the implant. The implant is then positioned to give the best cosmetic result. The method of inserting and positioning an implant is dependent upon factors based on the patient’s anatomy that are discussed with your doctor at the time of the consultation.
Following surgery, detailed instructions are given to the patient as to postoperative care and activity. It is important for the patient to follow these instructions in order to minimize any complications and to help achieve the best results. The surgeon will also advise the patient as to when they can return to their normal activities. Most patients are able to return to work within a few days, and more strenuous activities in about two weeks following surgery.
View before and after breast augmentation photos.
BREAST REDUCTION
Women with very large sagging breasts tend to have neck, back,
and shoulder pain. Patients find breast reduction surgery to greatly
benefit their lives. Patients not only have relief from their symptoms
but also have the ability to exercise better, wear more fitted
clothing and many have a great psychological benefit as well.
Of all the surgeries that plastic surgeons perform, breast reduction
ranks among the highest in patient satisfaction. Patients of almost
any age may have breast reduction surgery however, most surgeons
recommend that patients wait until after breasts have fully developed.
You may be good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you
have the following:
- Neck, back or shoulder pain
- Shoulder notching/ furrowing from your bra straps
- Heavy sagging breasts
- Breasts that are too heavy for your body size
- Irritation or rash beneath your breasts
- Difficulty with exercise and physical activities due to large heavy breasts
- One breast larger than the other creating significant asymmetry
During breast reduction surgery, fatty tissue
of the breast along with glandular tissue and excess skin are
removed. By removing these elements, the breast can be pulled tighter making them lighter, smaller and firmer. Different techniques are being used to minimize
incisions and scarring, and to emphasize shape. Breast reduction
surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia, and usually
takes between 2-4 hours to complete. After surgery, you will be
wrapped in an elastic bandage or surgical bra over gauze for 2-3
days. You may have a drain placed in to allow excess fluid or
blood to drain from the incision. You can expect a recovery period
of about two weeks.
View before and after breast reduction photos.
BREAST LIFT
For women who have experienced laxity or dropping of the breast as well as loss of volume, a breast lift procedure, also known as a Mastopexy, can help enhance the size, shape and appearance of one's breasts. Women experience breast reductions for a variety of reasons including pregnancy and nursing, age, significant weight lost, gravity and breast surgery. These factors can cause one's breasts to lose elasticity, firmness and shape, creating a sagging, unattractive appearance. With a breast lift procedure, excess breast skin can be removed, the breast tissue reshaped and the breasts lifted to their original position, helping to restore the patient's youthful look and her breasts' natural shape and size. In addition to a breast lift, implants are commonly used to further increase the size and shape of the patient's breasts.
In your consultation appointment, your surgeon will discuss the different breast lift techniques and enhancement options available. The methods used for a breast lift procedure will all depend on the patient's pre-operative state, the desired outcome and the plastic surgeon's preference and level of experience. Breast lift surgery consists of removing excess skin from around the areola and the lower section of the breast and tightening the skin of the breast region. A breast lift procedure produces the best results on women with small sagging breasts due to loss of elasticity, pregnancy and nursing, significant weight loss or breast surgery. It is highly suggested that patients who plan to have future pregnancies postpone their breast lift surgery so that the final result is not changed.
Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are in good physical health, emotionally stable and begin their plastic surgery experience with a positive attitude and realistic expectations. Those with smaller breasts will further benefit from a breast lift with the addition of breast implants to add volume and fullness to their bust line. For patients with an adequate amount of breast tissue, there are a variety of different techniques available to enhance the size, shape and acceptable scarring of one's bust line. Breast lift surgery is commonly done on an outpatient basis and the expected recovery time is approximately two weeks.
A breast lift can dramatically enhance your figure and help you regain confidence in your appearance. Many women who have a breast lift procedure develop new excitement for wearing more attractive styles, shopping for clothes and going to the beach. Breast lift procedures help thousands of women every year feel more attractive in their own skin and the physical improvement helps to increase their personal self-esteem. With its rise in popularity and new technologies and techniques constantly being developed, breast lift surgery offers patients many benefits and self-rewarding satisfaction.
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Breast reconstruction has become one of the most rewarding procedures available in plastic surgery. This procedure is most commonly performed to replace tissue loss after a mastectomy and to help fix an imbalance in breast size. Every year thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer and in many cases, the removal of one or both breasts can help halt the disease. Breast reconstruction surgery can be a very rewarding procedure both physically and emotionally for patients going through this difficult time in their lives.
For many women, losing one or both of their breasts coincides with losing their femininity. A mastectomy can be a very traumatic experience in a woman's life and breast reconstruction surgery can give her the opportunity to restore the appearance of a full bosom and help her regain confidence in her appearance. There have been several advancements made in technology and medicine since breast reconstruction was first offered and doctors usually have the ability to reconstruct the breast right after a mastectomy, letting the patient wake up without ever having to see a missing breast.
Ideal candidates for breast reconstruction surgery include any women who faces losing her breasts from breast cancer. Some women choose to have their breasts removed if they have a history of breast cancer in their families and may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery to maintain the appearance of breasts and their feminine figure. Breast reconstruction surgery is usually performed in a hospital, under general anesthesia and may require more than one procedure, depending on the patient and the extent of the surgery. The two most common techniques for breast reconstruction are skin expansion and flap reconstruction. The first involves skin expansion combined with a breast implant and the flap reconstruction technique involves the creation of a skin flap using tissue taken from other areas such as the back, abdomen or buttocks. Breast implants are made of a silicone shell and are filled with either a saline solution or silicone gel.
Breast reconstruction surgery brings numerous benefits to its patients. A breast reconstruction procedure can help a woman enhance her appearance, restore symmetry to her breasts, help her regain her sense of femininity and give her self-confidence and self-esteem a major boost. It is important and essential to the success of the surgery that the patient researches and fully understands everything a breast reconstruction entails. This includes knowing what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs and other related factors.
GYNECOMASTIA
Gynecomastia, the enlargement of male breasts, has become an extremely common condition in the male population. Gynecomastia can affect both or just one of the male breasts and while the majority of cases do not have a known cause, research has shown that some cases may be related to alcohol and drug use (marijuana and anabolic steroids in particular) and various medical conditions. Excessive glandular breast tissue and fat have both been found to be contributing factors to the development of gynecomastia. For men who are not happy with their appearances because of gynecomastia, reduction surgery is available and can help individuals regain confidence and pride in their appearances.
To perform gynecomastia correction surgery, also referred to as a male breast reduction, the plastic surgeon will begin by making an incision in the areola, the dark area surrounding the nipple, or in the armpit. Excess fat and glandular tissue are then removed to create a flatter and firmer chest. Liposuction may be performed in conjunction with the surgery, depending on the patient's condition and the desired results. A flatter and firmer chest is a main contributing factor to a more masculine physique and gynecomastia correction surgery can dramatically enhance an individual's figure and self-esteem.
The best candidates for a gynecomastia correction procedure will have firm, elastic skin that will reshape well after the surgery. Good candidates will also be emotionally stable and in good physical health. This procedure may be discouraged for overweight or obese men who have not made an initial attempt to lose weight with healthy dieting or exercise, which may correct the problem without surgery. Also, individuals who drink excessively, smoke marijuana or take anabolic steroids are not typically favorable candidates for gynecomastia correction surgery. It is advised that these activities be discontinued to observe whether the breast fullness diminishes before considering the surgery.
A gynecomastia correction procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Your plastic surgeon may use local or general anesthesia depending on your health and the severity of your condition. Gynecomastia correction surgery, or a male breast reduction, is sometimes covered by medical insurance; be sure to research this before your operation. Patients should expect temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness and burning sensations following their procedure. Most patients are able to return to work within 3-7 days and more strenuous activity in about 2-3 weeks. It is essential to the success of the procedure that every prospective patient for gynecomastia correction surgery researches what the procedure will entail and keeps realistic expectations for their surgery.
See before and after gynecomastia pictures in our gallery.
Feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have regarding any of our breast augmentation procedures.
