- Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is a surgery to remove extra fat and breast tissue along with the excess skin to shrink the size of the breasts. This elective procedure is offered to women with disproportionately large breasts that cause chronic back and neck pain. The surgeon will perform a physical exam and measure the breasts. The patient will undergo a mammogram and get a general physical work-up to assess the fitness for surgery. The patient may be advised to go off certain medications and quit smoking for a period of time before the procedure. Recovery time for a breast reduction mammoplasty varies according to the patient. During recovery, the patient needs to be careful with their movements and avoid lifting weights. A supporting sports brassier is advised for 6-12 weeks till the breast edema settles and the breast attains the final contour. Follow-up surgery may be required to refine and alter the shape or size of the breast.
- Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, also known as an augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to increase the size of the breasts. During the augmentation mammoplasty, a breast implant is placed under the breast tissue or chest muscle. Breast augmentation can help enhance the patient’s appearance. Discuss your goals openly with your plastic surgeon to achieve optimal results and a realistic understanding of what breast augmentation can achieve for you. The implants are made of silicone. The plastic surgeons will take you through the various implants available and suggest the one that suits you.
The procedure is performed commonly through an inframammary incision – incision below the breast. Sometimes the surgery is done through a trans-axillary incision in the armpit or a peri-areolar incision around the areola. The implant is inserted through the incision and located in position below the pectoral muscle, or under the breast tissue. The incision is then closed. The scars will generally become less obvious over time. The patient will be advised to avoid physical activity or heavy lifting during the recovery period, until the incision heals. The patient may also have to take care of the kind of brassier they wear, to minimize distorting the implant.
- Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynecomastia is a common condition in teenage boys and men, wherein the breast tissue swells. Gynecomastia could present as a small tissue growth around the nipple, or as pronounced breasts in men. The condition may affect just one or both of the breasts. The condition could be caused by obesity, hormonal imbalances, kidney or liver failure or by certain medications. If the patient is worried or uncomfortable with the excess tissue growth, it can be removed surgically. Suction assisted lipectomy with Gland excision is the commonly done procedure. This is usually a day care procedure. The patient has to wear compression garments for 8-12 weeks, to contour the chest wall skin.
- Breast Reconstruction
Patients who have undergone mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) or lumpectomy (removal of portion of the breast) procedure for breast cancer may be recommended breast reconstruction surgery to restore the appearance of the breast. The goal of breast reconstruction is to create a breast mound which is symmetrical and has a nipple areolar complex. There are various options available for breast reconstruction – The procedure can be performed using tissue from the patient or using artificial implants. The native tissues for breast reconstruction are taken from the abdomen below the navel, upper thigh or back. The nipple and areola may be re-constructed after adequate healing of the reconstruction of the form of the breast . The surgical approach for breast reconstruction is unique to each case.
- Breast lift/Mastopexy
The breasts could sag or droop because of pregnancy, breast feeding, old age and gravity. A mastopexy surgery, also known as a breast lift, is a procedure performed to improve the projection of the breast and also move the areola and the nipple higher on the breast. The surgeon may also remove surrounding tissue and skin to tighten the appearance of the area. If you are considering a breast lift, a test to check if you could be a candidate is to place a pencil beneath your breasts and see if it stays there. If it does, you might be a candidate for a breast lift. A breast augmentation may be recommended in addition to a breast lift to achieve the patient’s desired appearance.