A breast surgery may be classified into three general categories:
- Augmentation
- Reduction
- Reconstruction
Breast Augmentation
Reasons Women Go for this Surgery – This surgery is performed with an aim to enhance overall size, appearance, and contour of breasts. There are many reasons women consider getting breast augmentation (also referred to as augmentation mammoplasty). Some women aren’t happy with the size of their breasts. They think their breasts are too small as compared to their body shape. There are also women who would want increase the size of breasts due to significant loss related to lactation and pregnancy. The most common cause is a desire to rectify asymmetry in breast size.
Process – This kind of surgery is performed by a breast surgeon using implants. These are effectively placed under or over pectoralis chest muscle. In most cases, the incision may be placed in armpit or axilla, lower breast, or aerola. Endoscopes are used by top board certified plastic surgeon for performing breast augmentation.
Future Impact – Placement of implants under pectoralis chest muscle causes less interference in case of screening mammography. Women must be aware of the impact breast implants may have on cancer detection. Additionally, compression of breast during mammography may result in rupture of implant.
What is Implant – It is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) solution. Trial implants are given to a woman to help her determine her desired size. These days, saline filled implants are most commonly used. On the other hand, silicone gel filled implants are available only for women contributing in approved studies.
Risks – Breast augmentation is a fairly straightforward process. Every surgery has some kinds of risks involved. Breast surgery is no exception. Hence, you should clear your concerns and expectations prior to making a decision. Review all risks, benefits, and alternatives. Also seek consultation with a breast surgeon or plastic surgeon (board certified).
Breast Reduction Surgery
Many women may find it difficult to carry large, heavy breasts. This is quite uncomfortable. Excess weight of breasts may result in lot of issues including back pain, neck pain, weakness, numbness, indentations of bra strap, skin irritation, etc.
Process – Also referred to as mammoplasty, breast reduction involves removal of excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin.
Risks – Scarring may be extensive with this surgery. Some of the common side effects include lumpiness and pain from scar tissue. Many women are also unable to breastfeed after this surgery.
Results – The procedure reduces appearance of breast, overall volume, and contour. Women usually experience improvement in their symptoms after breast reduction. In almost all cases, normal breast sensation, milk production, and sensation around nipple-areola are usually preserved.
Breast Reconstruction
The surgery aims at recreating a breast as per the desired volume, appearance, and contour. Surgeons can also recreate nipple-areola component.
Risks – One may lose normal breast sensation and ability to breastfeed. This happens when the surgeon removes milk glands or sensory nerves. Sometimes, significant injuries may also lead to these side effects.
Process – The surgery can recreate overall contour, appearance, and volume of the breast using implants or using tissue from woman’s own body. Implants are usually sized to exactly match the opposite breast. An entire breast may also be recreated via using woman’s tissue. In some cases, surgeons prefer using a part of lower abdominal wall. Some of the other tissue options for the autologous (technique for using one’s own tissue) reconstruction may include skin and muscle of the back or a part of one of patient’s buttock.
Breast Lifts
This surgery is needed for women who do not have stronger or resilient skin to support breast weight of the breast. Breasts tend to sag. The condition is referred to as ‘ptosis’. Too much skin as compared to the breast tissue may also lead to problems. Surgeons may consider giving breasts a lift through a technique referred to as mastopexy. The process involves removal of excess skin from the breast.
