Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation involves using breast implants (saline or silicone) to increase the size of the breasts. Not only are they designed to increase the size of a woman’s breasts, but they can also be used to correct a certain degree of droopiness (ptosis) that may have been developed with pregnancies, weight loss, and normal aging.
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Patients who have naturally small-sized breasts (A and B cup) and want to have fuller breasts to help fill out their clothing often decide upon implants sized in the 325 cc to the 375 cc range. It is important to note, however, that the size must be uniquely tailored to the patient’s own body frame. A 350 cc implant placed in a taller patient with wider shoulders may actually look too small, while the same 350 cc implant placed in a shorter patient with narrow shoulders may produce an oversized ‘DD’ look. Most of my patients want to achieve a natural, non-surgical look with full but sloping upper pole fullness, in the C to very low D-cup range. When the augmented breasts appear to jump unnaturally off of the chest, an oversized implant has typically been used. Both Saline and Silicone implants are available for use. The pros and cons of both (cost, feel, appearance, weight, etc.) should be carefully reviewed before making a final decision.
Best Candidates
Patients who have had children and want to re-establish the breast fullness they had while breastfeeding are also excellent candidates for breast implants. These patients also tend to have a degree of drop (ptosis) to their breasts that can be corrected with implants alone if not too severe. These patients tend to get the most natural look of all because of this pre-existing ptosis.
Surgery & Recovery
All Breast Augmentation Surgeries are performed in the privacy of our on-site Surgery Center. The procedure itself generally takes a little over one hour to perform. No drains are used, and sutures are all absorbable. Patients are encouraged to resume light activities immediately following surgery and can return to moderate activities (including driving) within 4 to 5 days. Full exercises can be resumed at 14 days (with some restrictions on chest muscle exercises).
Breast Reduction
If a woman’s breasts are so large that they begin to cause chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, a breast reduction may become medically necessary (and also be covered by Insurance). This procedure is designed not only to reduce the weight of the breasts, but also to re-position that weight higher up on the chest wall to achieve better balance and reduce tension on the back muscles.
Surgery & Recovery
All Breast Reduction Surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, either in our own Surgery Center, or in a local Hospital Outpatient Facility. The surgery itself is generally two hours long. No drains are used, and sutures are all absorbable. Patients can expect to return to light activity within several days, including driving. Those with “desk” jobs can return to work within 5 to 7 days. Those with physically demanding jobs (manufacturing, retail, nursing, etc.) should be able to return to work within 10 to 14 days.
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With either style of procedure, Breast Reduction patients are in general a very happy patient group. They run the spectrum of very young patients who are having difficulty controlling their body weights or engaging in athletic activities to older, more mature patients who are tired of wearing tight bras and dealing with chronic back pain for years on end. For older patients, the decision to undergo a Breast Reduction is often an easy one. For younger patients, who may be very much concerned with any scars on their breasts, the decision to proceed with surgery must be very carefully considered. (In these patients, Liposuction of the breasts alone may be a good ‘bridge’ procedure to reduce the breasts enough to limit discomfort and physical restrictions).
Breast Reconstruction
Most women undergoing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer ultimately decide to proceed with Breast Reconstruction Surgery to restore the breast shape and volume that has been lost due to the Mastectomy procedure. Breast Reconstruction Surgery can either be performed immediately at the time of Mastectomy, or in a delayed fashion, once the mastectomy has completely healed and adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy and radiation) has been completed.
Surgery & Recovery
The decision to proceed with Breast Reconstruction, along with the type of reconstruction to be utilized, must be a collaborative effort between the Patient, her Breast Surgeon, her Reconstructive Surgeon, and her Oncologist. Operative times can vary anywhere between one hour and four hours. Similarly, hospitalization times can vary anywhere between one to four days. More specific details can be provided at the time of consultation.
Breast Lift
Many women can develop laxity of the breasts and descent of the nipple/areolar complexes (ptosis) as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, aging, or simple genetics. Furthermore, many women are also born with a natural discrepancy between the breasts, with one breast being different in size (and sometimes in shape) than the other. BREAST MASTOPEXY can be utilized to not only reposition the nipple/areolar complex into a higher, “younger” position, but also to equalize the breasts in order to achieve improved symmetry.
Surgery & Recovery
Patients can expect to experience their greatest amount of discomfort in the first several days if the implant is placed below the Pectoralis Major Muscle (because of stretch being placed on the muscle itself). Postoperative discomfort is markedly reduced when the implant is placed on top of the muscle (in a subglandular pocket). Patients are encouraged to resume light activity within the first 2 to 3 postoperative days, and most are able to drive comfortably within 5 to 7 days. Moderate exercise can be resumed within 5 to 7 days, and more intense activities can usually be resumed within 14 days.