Breast Procedures

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Breast Enhancement / Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also know as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to accentuate the size and shape of a woman’s breast for a variety of reasons:
• To enhance body shape if breasts are too small.
• To restore breast volume after pregnancy and breast feeding.
• To gain breast symmetry when cup sizes are different.
• To reconstruct breasts after mastectomy or traumatic injury.

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a saline salt-water solution. Working through an incision, a pocket is created either behind your breast or underneath your chest wall pectoral muscle. There the implant is placed and centered beneath the nipples. The surgical approach, the type and size of implant, and the long-term care and other concerns should be discussed with your surgeon pre-operatively.

Generally, the procedure length is 1 hour or less, and performed on an outpatient basis. While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not move the breasts closer together or lift sagging breasts.

The post-operative instructions call for rest and limited upper body/chest movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Commonly, people are back to work within 3-5 days; strenuous activity and exercise, usually after 3-4 weeks. Pain is treated with oral medication and complications are rare, although patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following directions given by the surgeon after the operation.

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Breast Lift / Mastopexy

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts that have lost their shape and fullness over time due to loss of skin elasticity. As a woman ages, nursing, gravity and fluctuations in weight cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness. This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance. A breast lift may be completed in conjunction with breast enhancement surgery. Breast lifts address the loose skin while an implant addresses the breast volume. These are separate and distinct issues that must be specifically corrected.

A breast lift is useful:
• To elevate the breast due to sagging caused by age and gravity.
• To firm the breasts if the have lost substance due to breast feeding after pregnancy.
• To restore symmetry if the nipples point down, to the sides or asymmetrically.
• To restore volume after weight loss.

A breast lift procedure will vary considerably depending on the amount of sagging. Techniques vary, but usually will involve either an incision around part, or all of the areola of the nipple, a vertical incision extending from the nipple to the breast crease, or an incision along the breast crease itself. These incisions are referred to sometimes as a “crescent,” a “dough-nut or concentric type,” or an “anchor type” of incision. Once you have been properly measured by your physician and the amount of breast drop assessed, your specific surgical need can then be discussed to maximize your result, while minimizing your incisions when possible and maintaining nipple sensation.

Generally, the procedure length is 1 to 3 hours, and performed either as an outpatient basis if short, or overnight if longer. The post-operative instructions call for rest and limited upper body/chest movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Commonly, people are back to work within 5-7 days; strenuous activity and exercise, usually after 4 weeks. Pain is treated with oral medication. Complications are rare however skin healing, nipple sensation and scar care should be reviewed with your surgeon to minimize potential problems after the operation.

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Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that makes breasts smaller, lighter and firmer. The reduction is accomplished by removing excess fat and glandular tissue from the breast, as well as removing and tightening the excess skin. Large heavy breasts can be associated with neck, back and shoulder pain along with bra-strap grooving and skin irritation. Women who have undergone breast reduction surgery tend to feel lighter, healthier, and more comfortable both in activities of daily life and in social settings, with a more proportionate appearance.

Reduction mammoplasty is helpful:
• For relief of back, neck and shoulder pain due to excessively heavy breasts.
• For sagging breasts of large size.
• For social anxiety associated with disproportionately large breasts.
• For restoring an active life-style limited by the size and weight of one’s breasts.
• For relief of bra-strap grooving and skin irritations due to heavy pendulous breasts.

A breast reduction procedure will usually involve an incision around the areola of the nipple, a vertical incision extending from the nipple to the breast crease, and an incision along the breast crease itself. This incision is referred to sometimes as an “anchor type” of incision. This technique allows the surgeon to remove excess breast fat and tissue as well as tighten the skin and elevate the nipple position. It is similar to a breast lift, except that the breast fat and tissue are being removed also to make the breast smaller, and not just lifted. Once you have been properly measured by your physician and the amount of breast weight to be removed is assessed, your specific surgical goals can then be discussed to maximize your result, while minimizing your incisions when possible and maintaining nipple sensation. Occasionally liposuction is used in conjunction to recontour the body shape.

Generally, the procedure length is 3 to 4 hours, and performed as a short overnight stay. The post-operative instructions call for rest and limited upper body/chest movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Commonly, people are back to work within 10-14 days; strenuous activity and exercise, usually after 4 weeks. Pain is treated with oral medication. Complications are rare however skin healing, nipple sensation and scar care should be reviewed with your surgeon to minimize potential problems after the operation.

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Male Breast Reduction / Gynecomastia

Breast reduction surgery for enlarged male breasts, also known as gynecomastia, is a common procedure that makes the chest flatter and smoother, removing the appearance of a “female-like” breast. The reduction is accomplished by removing excess fat and glandular tissue from the breast. Large prominent breasts in a male can be associated with significant social anxiety. Men who have undergone breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia tend to feel healthier, and more comfortable both in activities of daily life, fitting into clothing and in social settings, with a more proportionate appearance.

Male breast reduction is helpful:
• For relief of prominent excessively large breasts.
• For sagging breasts of large size.
• For social anxiety associated with disproportionately large breasts.
• For restoring an active life-style limited by the appearance of one’s chest.

A breast reduction procedure for gynecomastia will usually involve liposuction to remove the excess fat and glandular tissue from behind the nipple. Commonly an incision is placed in the midline of the chest or beneath the axilla (arm-pit) on each side to treat the chest. In some cases the tissue directly behind the nipple is excessively fibrous and dense and cannot be removed with liposuction alone. In these rare cases, and incision is made partially around the nipple to surgically remove the stubborn, denser tissue. Commonly, with liposuction, the skin tightens, the nipple diameter shrinks and a more favorable nipple position is restored. Once you have been properly measured by your physician and the amount of breast volume to be removed is assessed, your specific surgical goals can then be discussed to maximize your result, while minimizing your incisions when possible and maintaining nipple sensation.

Generally, the procedure length is 1 hour, and performed on an outpatient basis. The post-operative instructions call for rest and limited upper body/chest movement, as well as a compressive garment in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Commonly, people are back to work within 2-3 days; strenuous activity and exercise, usually after 2-3 weeks. Pain is treated with oral medication. Complications are rare however skin healing, nipple sensation and scar care should be reviewed with your surgeon to minimize potential problems after the operation.

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