Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery

• involves using breast implantsor fat, referred to as fat transfer breast augmentation, to increase the size of your breasts or restore breast volume that has been lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
• Breast augmentation is clinically referred to as augmentation mammaplasty.
• Breast augmentation can:
• Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
• Improve the balance of your figure
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
• Breast implants may also be used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or injury.
• Breast augmentation is a very personal procedure and you should do it for yourself, not for someone else.
• You may be a candidate for breast augmentation surgeryif:
• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• Your breasts are fully developed
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
• You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
• You are unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
• Your breasts are asymmetrical
• One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
• Many patients find it helpful to review breast augmentation before and after photos during the decision-making process to have surgery.
• During your breast augmentation recovery, you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored following surgery.
• Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings and an elastic bandage or support bra will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
• You may be permitted to go home after a few hours.
• Before leaving, you will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
• You may be instructed to wear a support bra around the clock for the first week or two. It will be important to cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment as directed. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.
• After a post-surgical breast augmentation recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.
• Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon.
• Silicone breast implantsare filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse.
• If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.
• Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incision options include:

• Incisions vary based on the type of breast implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy and patient-surgeon preference.
• After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:
• 

• Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or
• Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)
• The method for inserting and positioning breast implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type and your surgeon’s recommendations.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form to ensure you understood everything explained by the doctor regarding the procedure to be done and are aware of the possible and potential complications. The most common complications of this surgery include: accumulation of blood under the skin (hematoma), swelling, infection, poor healing, thrombus formation, and anesthetic complications. After surgery you will wake up to healing dressings on the operated region and whose function is to make local compression. A drain may be used temporarily in the surgical area to prevent any accumulation of fluid or blood and speed up the recovery process.
• The return to normal activities will be gradual and according to the orientation of the surgeon.
  Some areas with lack of sensitivity and discreetly hardened in the operated region may occur and gradually improve in the months that follow.

Breast Lift

• A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.
• New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show breast lifts have grown 70%since 2000, outpacing breast implants 2-to-1.
• Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well.
• A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.
• A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Weight fluctuations
• Aging
• Gravity
• Heredity
• What breast lift surgery won’t do
• Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast.
• If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery.
• If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.
• You may be a goodbreast lift candidate if:
• You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
• You do not smoke
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume
• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
• Your nipples and areolas point downward
• You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• One breast is lower than the other
• Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
• During your breast lift recovery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions after the procedure is completed.
• You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.
• A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
• You will be given specific instructions that may include:
• How to care for your breasts following surgery
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual breast lift recovery period.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?
• Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery.
• The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle.
• Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time. The results of your breast lift surgery will be longlasting.
• Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. You’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:
• Maintain your weight
• Keep a healthy lifestyle
• Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery.
• It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
• The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast lift surgeryare acceptable.
• You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.
• Breast lift risks include:
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding or hematoma formation
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Breast asymmetry
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation
• Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Breast Reduction

• • Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.
  • Overly large breasts can cause some women to have both health and emotional problems. In addition to self image issues, you may also experience physical pain and discomfort.
  • The weight of excess breast tissue can impair your ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breasts is as important an issue to many women as the physical discomfort and pain.
  • Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.
  • Is it right for me?
  • Breast reduction surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
  • Breast reduction is a good option for you if:
  • You are physically healthy
  • You have realistic expectations
  • You don’t smoke
  • You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
  • Your breasts limit your physical activity
  • You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
  • You have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
  • You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
  • Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
  • Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
  • You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin
  • Be prepared to discuss:
  • Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
  • Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
  • Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
  • Previous surgeries
  • Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies
  • Your surgeon may also:
  • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
  • Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
  • Take photographs for your medical record
  • Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
  • Discuss likely outcomes of your breast reduction procedure and any risks or potential complications
  • Discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure for breast reduction
  • The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast reduction surgery and potential complications are acceptable.
  • Your plastic surgeon and/or plastic surgery staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
  • The risks of breast reduction and breast reduction complications include:
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Infection
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding (hematoma)
  • Blood clots
  • Poor wound healing
  • Breast contour and shape irregularities
  • Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
  • Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
  • Breast asymmetry
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Excessive firmness of the breast
  • Potential inability to breastfeed
  • Potential loss of skin/tissue of breast where incisions meet each other
  • Potential, partial or total loss of nipple and areola
  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
  • Pain, which may persist
  • Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injectable agents
  • Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis)
  • Possibility of revisional surgery
  • You should know that:
  • Breast reduction surgery can interfere with certain diagnostic procedures
  • Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
  • Your ability to breastfeed following reduction mammaplasty may be limited; talk to your doctor if you are planning to nurse a baby
  • The breast reduction procedure can be performed at any age, but is best done when your breasts are fully developed
  • Changes in the breasts during pregnancy can alter the outcomes of previous breast reduction surgery, as can significant weight fluctuations
  • The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single breast reduction procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
  • Where will my surgery be performed?
  • Breast reduction procedures may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.
  • When you go home
  • If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these breast reduction complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
  • The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
  • Be careful
  • Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself and minimize breast reduction surgery risks.
  • Be sure to ask questions:It’s very important to address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
  • Many patients have questions about recovery from breast surgery.
  • When your breast reduction procedure is complete, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. An elastic bandage or support bra may be worn to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
  • A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
  • You will be given specific instructions for breast reduction recovery that may include:how to care for your breasts following breast reduction surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
  • Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
  • What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
  • Are stitches removed? When?
  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
  • When do I return for follow-up care?
  • The results of breast reduction surgery will be long-lasting. Your new breast size should help relieve you from the pain and physical limitations experienced prior to breast reduction.
  • Your better proportioned figure will likely enhance your self image and boost your self-confidence.

  However, over time your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity.

Gynecomastia

• Gynecomastia is a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age. The condition can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, or the use of certain drugs.
• Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.
• Gynecomastia is characterized by:
• Excess localized fat
• Excess glandular tissue development
• Sometimes excess breast skin
• Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)
• Gynecomastia surgery candidates include:
• Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers and non-drug users
• Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
• Men who are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
• Men who have realistic expectations
• Men whose breast development has stabilized
• Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
• Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.
• During your gynecomastia surgery recoveryperiod, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals after surgery.
• A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
• You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?
• It’s very important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
• The final results of gynecomastia surgery are permanent in many cases. However, if gynecomastia resulted from the use of certain prescription medications, drugs (including steroids), or weight gain you must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain your results.
• Please discuss this with your physician before making changes to your prescription medications.
• Recovering from gynecomastia surgery at home
• If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
• Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery.
• It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
• The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of gynecomastia surgeryare acceptable.
• You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
• Gynecomastia surgery risks include:
• Reactions to tape, suture materials, glues, topical preparations or injected agents
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Breast asymmetry
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
• Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Infection
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Unfavorable scarring
• These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.