Breast Procedures

Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery is designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts secondary to factors such as pregnancy, nursing, weight change, aging, and gravity. If you have not yet finished having children, consider waiting or your breasts may sag again after the surgery. This operation can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin around the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume, breast implants inserted at the same time as the breast lift can increase both firmness and size. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in women with large breasts.

Over time, your breast implants may need to be exchanged for new ones. Reasons for this may include deflation of saline implants, rupture of silicone implants, or encapsulation (scar tissue causing hardening or distortion of the shape) of the implants. If any of these issues occurs, a procedure is required to remove the old implants, possibly remove some of the scar tissue, and place new implants. In addition, there may come a time that you no longer desire the implants. In this case, the implants can be removed, but the contour of the breast may or may not be acceptable to you and additional measures may be necessary. If you do not like the look of your implants, it is possible that they may be “disguised” by placing some of your own fat around them (See Breast Augmentation using Fat Grafing).

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure designed to reduce the size and weight of a woman's breasts. Women who have large breasts often suffer from problems such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as skin irritation beneath the breasts. Breast reduction surgery is performed to help alleviate these symptoms. There are a variety of different techniques used to reduce and reshape the breast and these will be discussed during your consultation with the doctor.

The most significant draw back to breast reduction surgery is that it leaves permanent scars on the breasts. These scars usually begin around the areola, extend vertically from the lower edge of the areola to the crease, and follow the crease beneath the breast. It is a compromise between the breast-related discomfort and the scars, and you must be willing to accept the scarring or the procedure is not ideal for you.

Breast Implant Exchange/Removal

Over time, your breast implants may need to be exchanged for new ones. Reasons for this may include deflation of saline implants, rupture of silicone implants, or encapsulation (scar tissue causing hardening or distortion of the shape) of the implants. If any of these issues occurs, a procedure is required to remove the old implants, possibly remove some of the scar tissue, and place new implants. In addition, there may come a time that you no longer desire the implants. In this case, the implants can be removed, but the contour of the breast may or may not be acceptable to you and additional measures may be necessary. If you do not like the look of your implants, it is possible that they may be “disguised” by placing some of your own fat around them.