Breast Augmentation | Breast Lift | Breast Reduction

Breast surgery becomes in itself a surgical specialty within the specialty of plastic surgery. Scaring is the mayor drawback of this procedure for the young patient with involutional ptotic glandular breast. Some patients with minor degree of pseudoptosis or glandular ptosis may be corrected with a large implant.

Breast surgery has become one of the most popular and safe procedures in our plastic surgery practice. Women are seeking breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction in increasing numbers. Most women consulting our offices for breast surgery,  come as a referral  from a  patient or a friend of a previous patient. This in turn has rewarded us with a consistent high patient satisfaction.

The most common request for breast surgery are breast augmentation, followed by breast lift with-out or with  implants, then breast  reduction and then breast reconstruction following mastectomy.  Breast reduction may fall out of the category of cosmetic surgery when removing breast tissue in excess of 450-500 grams per breast.

Breast augmentation is extremely popular, safe and requested by women of different age groups, backgrounds and of different constitutional physique. Today in the 21st Century, the patient with glandular hypomastia  or micromastia (small breast) as well as those with normal breast are requesting breast augmentation. Patients are requesting breast enhancement based on size, shape the way they perceive themselves in modern every day clothing, lingerie and bathing apparel.

The first step in breast augmentation is an initial evaluation as to what is present in terms of size, pre-existing asymmetries , health issues, and activities both recreational and work related.

The second step includes discussing both the procedure in detail along with the alternatives, risks, complications and expectations. In this step important aspects of the surgical techniques, such as the approach to the placement of implants, type and size of implants, resultant scarring, are presented to the patient for her selection in accordance to her needs.

Breast  lift or mastopexy is usually solicited by patients with various degrees of sagging pendulous breast which can be uneven, small or large. 

The third and final step prior to discussing surgical availability, fees, and the surgical facility of choice, is a unique session of questions and answers. It is my experience that even tough most of these are covered in the first and second steps there is always one or two questions which the patient remembers when they are on the way home from the consultation. It is my recommendation to write them down so that when the next meeting takes place we can go over them systematically.

This is a  ambulatory surgical procedure and does not require hospitalization. Post-op follow up care information, instructions, and consultations will be again addressed before surgery with the patient and family member or person of choice.

Breast lift or Mastopexy is usually solicited by patients with various degrees of bilateral breast ptosis (sagging breast), asymmetric ptotic micromastia (uneven sagging small breast) or large pendulous breast.  It can be performed with or with out a breast implant.

Breast lift or mastopexy provides both lifting and tightening of the sagging breast tissue. In doing so, it will give the appearance of a smaller breast which can be compensated with a small implant.

Patients requesting Mastopexy with or with-out breast implant have to be made aware of the scarring involved. The amount of tissue removed (skin only) has to be done through incisions  much large than the accustomed breast augmentation.

In Breast reduction one of the added benefits that younger patients are claiming is the progressive weight loss secondary to a more active life style and higher self esteem immediately after surgery.

Breast reduction patients refer minimal post-operative pain which they describe more as a discomfort or tightness which becomes insignificant after the first dressing change.

Most patients following breast reduction refer a progressive increase in physical activities with a concomitant better posture, weight loss and a higher self esteem.

The patient post breast reduction will resume pre-operative work activities within the first 5-6 days.

Patient satisfaction continues to be very high among breast reduction patients despite the initial appearance of the scarring.

When it comes to the expectant cup size, most patients wish for a small size. This is a normal thought process after years of symptomatic, pendulous, asymmetric large breast. However, once they see other patients both in person and in post-op photographs the desired cup size becomes a full “B” or even a small “C”.

The issues of breast reduction and health insurance coverage can be reviewed with the office manager based on your health insurance plan. You should also solicit this information directly from your insurance company.