breast surgery
Breast Enhancement, commonly know as breast augmentation entails enlarging the size of the breast by either inserting an implant into the breast region, or injecting fat into the existing breast tissue. Breast implants, first created in the 1960’s have gone through fifty years of evolution and are now available in a myriad of shapes and sizes, as well as fill materials, with either saline (salt water) or silicone. The choice of the implant that is just right for you should be an informed decision made between you and your Plastic Surgeon. The two main suppliers of breast implants in the United States are Mentor and Allergan. Both Mentor and Allergan have very extensive and informative web sites providing in depth information regarding their implants at www.loveyourlook.com and www.lookingyourbest.com. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has developed a web site to be informative regarding safety issues of implants at www.breastimplantsafety.org. When considering breast surgery you want to choose a surgeon who is fully trained in this area of the body and displays the Plastic Surgical logo denoting Board Certification and expertise in this field. (The concept and technique of fat injection into the breast is still in its infancy stage and is not being readily performed).
Breast Reduction is the surgical procedure of reducing the volume and thus cup size of the breast. There are numerous surgical techniques described in the Plastic Surgical literature to perform this surgery, and the technique chosen is often times dictated by the overall breast size, degree of sagging (ptosis), and amount of tissue to be removed. You may hear your surgeon mention terms like a Vertical Reduction, or Keyhole or Anchor type reduction, which refers to the shape and appearance of the resultant scar. The ultimate technique used will be determined by you and your plastic surgeon.
Breast Lift, or Mastopexy, is the procedure of lifting and improving the shape of the breast. There are also several techniques available in which to achieve improved shape of the breast. An implant is frequently used in conjunction with a lift in order to achieve and maintain fullness in the upper portion of the breast. Some surgeons perform an augmentation/mastopexy surgery in one procedure while other surgeons prefer to accomplish this in two stages. Several types of breast lifts are described and will be the discretion of your surgeon as to the preferred technique.