Breast Surgery

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Breast Surgery

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation (also known as breast enlargement or enhancement surgery) is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. The procedure is indicated for patients that have not developed sufficient breast tissue. It is performed under general anesthesia (while the patient is safely asleep) as well as local anesthetic use to significantly lessen discomfort. Recovery after breast augmentation to most normal activities can be expected within a couple days with a return to more strenuous activity within 3 weeks.

Breast augmentation can be performed using either saline or gel filled silicone implants. All breast implants have a silicone shell and differ in the above mentioned fill which can be chosen based on patient preference. The FDA has approved gel filled silicone implants since and is continuing to collect data assuring its safety.

Breast Augmentation Methods

There are multiple ways to perform breast augmentation and each method is tailored specific to each patient at the time of consultation. The implants can be placed through various incisions in either a submuscular (below the muscle), a subfascial (below the covering of the muscle only) or a subglandular (above the muscle and below the gland) plane. The incision include a periareolar incision (hidden within the perimeter of the nipple and areola), an inframammary incision (within the breast fold) or through a transaxillary incision (placed within the axilla or armpit). All of these incisions heal nearly inconspicuously when performed in a meticulous fashion.

Breast Lift

Mastopexy (also known as a breast lift) is performed in the patient population where ptosis (drooping) of the breasts has occurred either secondary to pregnancy and breastfeeding or normal aging. There is often a loss of breast volume in which case a breast implant is used to replace this loss which sometimes is sufficient to counter the breast droop. In cases where this volume replacement is not enough, the skin is adjusted to rejuvenate the breasts.

Breast Reduction

Macromastia (or pathologic enlargement of the breasts) occurs when there is excess growth of breast tissue and fat tissue leading to troubling symptoms such as back and shoulder pain, rash beneath the folds of the breast and difficulty fitting into clothing.
Breast reduction surgery removes this excess tissue while providing a breast shape and size proportional to your body. This can oftentimes be performed through a “lollipop” type incision, minimizing scars on the breast.