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Breast
augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size of the
breasts. It is usually performed to enlarge small, underdeveloped
breasts or breasts that have decreased in size after pregnancy. It can
also be performed in cases of breast deformity, or where one breast
has not developed in proper symmetry with the other. When a breast is
lost due to breast cancer, breast reconstruction may also be possible.
There are several types of incision techniques that can be considered
for breast augmentation. The incision type used generally depends on
the surgeon’s technique. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will
lift breast tissue up and down to create a pocket. This pocket will
either be under the tissue or underneath the chest wall muscle. Once
the pocket is created, the surgeon will place a breast implant inside.
Traditionally, this procedure has been accomplished by using a
flexible plastic envelope containing a silicone gel. However, there
have recently been concerns raised about the safety of silicone
implants. While further research is being done, new patients desiring
breast augmentation are restricted to saline-filled implants. Breast
augmentation surgery can usually be done in one-day surgery as an
outpatient procedure. Most women are able to return to work in four
days. For more information, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic
Surgery.
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SAFETY OF IMPLANTS
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Recent medical reports have
presented conflicting information on the safety of breast implants.
The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons believes
that current evidence indicates that breast implants rarely pose a
significant health hazard. However, because of recent Food and Drug
Administration reviews and public concern, new efforts are being taken
to clarify any unresolved questions. In nineteen ninety-two the FDA
banned silicone gel breast implants from most breast surgeries. They
were replaced by saline (SAY-leen) implants, which consist of textured
silicone rubber shells filled with a natural salt water solution. The
FDA is currently scrutinizing the use of saline implants in breast
augmentation. A detailed review of breast implant safety data and the
FDA position on saline implants can be provided by a board certified
plastic surgeon. If you are considering getting breast implants, it is
mandatory for your health that you research the issue thoroughly and
get several medical opinions before making your decision. For more
information, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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BREAST LIFT
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Breast lift is a surgical
procedure used to raise and recontour sagging breasts. It is usually
performed to lift loose and sagging breasts that have lost volume and
elasticity after childbearing. During the procedure, the surgeon will
make incisions that follow the natural contour of your breast, and a
key-hole shaped incision will be made above the areola (ar-ree-o’-la)
to designate the new location for the nipple. The surgeon then works
through these incisions to remove excess skin from the lower section
of the breast. The breast, nipple, and areola are then moved to a
higher position. Once the nipple is relocated, the skin that was
located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the
breast. Sutures then close the incisions. You will experience pain for
a day or two after your surgery; however, this can be controlled with
medication prescribed by your surgeon. Usually, within a week after
your surgery, surgical dressings will be removed and replaced with a
soft bra. Your surgeon will advise you to wear the bra for several
weeks. For more information on a breast lift, talk to Dr. Rick Smith
at Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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BREAST REDUCTION
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Reduction mammoplasty (mam-o-plas’-tee)
is a surgical procedure designed to reduce overly large breasts to a
more comfortable size and contour. Such surgery is indicated when
unusually large breasts cause pain in the breast, back, and lower
back. Other undesirable side effects in oversized breasts involve
improper posture and brassiere straps cutting into the shoulders.
Overly large breasts often interfere with normal physical activity.
Typically, the desired result is smaller, better shaped breasts that
are proportioned with the rest of your body. Various surgical
techniques are possible. The one employed will depend on the surgeon’s
judgment, taking into consideration the patient’s individual condition
and the desired change in size and shape of the breast. All techniques
involve removal of excessive breast tissue, recontouring of the
breast, and upward repositioning of the nipple. The procedure takes
approximately three to four hours. You will experience pain for a day
or two after your surgery. However, this can be controlled with
medication prescribed by your surgeon. Usually, within a week after
your surgery, surgical dressings will be removed and replaced with a
soft bra, which you will be asked to wear for several weeks. For more
information on breast reduction, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan
Plastic Surgery.
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SALINE IMPLANTS
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In nineteen ninety-two (1992),
the Food and Drug Administration outlawed the silicone gel breast
implant for most breast surgery. Saline implants have since replaced
the silicone gel implant for breast augmentation and reconstruction.
These implants contain a natural salt water solution surrounded by a
textured silicone rubber shell. Implants may be placed between the
breast and the muscle behind it, or between the muscle and the ribs.
Your surgeon will discuss with you the pros and cons of each placement
option. The Food and Drug Administration is also currently
scrutinizing the use of saline implants in breast augmentation. A
detailed review of the safety data and FDA position on saline implants
can be provided by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon.
For more information on saline implants, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at
Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN
DURING BREAST SURGERY?
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Breast surgery is used either
for medical or personal reasons. There are three types of surgery
involving the alteration of breast tissue. Breast reduction, where the
breasts are made smaller, is most common in women with
disproportionately large breasts that cause pain to the back or
shoulders. During the breast reduction procedure, incisions are made
around the nipple area and in the crease of skin under the breast
where it meets the chest. Excess fat, tissue and skin are then
removed. Depending on how much the breast is reduced, the surgeon may
have to reposition the nipple and underlying tissue. Incisions are
then sutured and the healing process begins. The second type of
surgery is a breast lift and is available to women with sagging
breasts. The incisions are similar to those of breast reduction but
all that is removed in the breast lift is excess skin. Finally, breast
augmentation (ogg-men-tay-shun) is an option for those who wish to
enlarge small or underdeveloped breasts. The enlargement is
accomplished by use of an implant surgically placed either directly
under the tissue in the breast or under the chest muscle behind the
breast. Incisions can be made either around the nipple, under the
breast, or in the armpit for placement of the implant. The first step
for breast surgery is a consultation with a plastic surgeon. He or she
can discuss your options and decide which treatment is best for you.
For more information, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic
Surgery.
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INCISIONS IN BREAST
ENLARGEMENT
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Saline implants for breast
enlargement can be placed through several types of incisions. Usually
the type of incision used depends on the surgeon’s technique. There
are several types of incisions that are used for breast enlargement.
One of the most commonly used incision techniques is an inframammary
(in-fra-mam’-a-ree) incision. This incision is made slightly above
where the lower part of the breast touches the chest. Another common
technique is the periareolar (pear-e-are-ee-o-lar) incision. This
incision is made around the lower border of the areola (are-ee-o-la)
which is the dark pink skin that surrounds the nipple. Another
technique, which is used less frequently, is an incision in the
armpit. Incisions are generally very small, one-inch incisions which
are then filled with a saline-filled implant. Once the implant is
complete, the incisions are then closed by a few sutures. The sutures
will be removed within a week of the surgery and every effort is made
to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible. For more information on
breast enlargement incisions, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan
Plastic Surgery.
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CORRECTING BREAST ASYMMETRY
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Are your breasts different
sizes? Many people have asymmetrical breasts and look to cosmetic
surgery for correction. This procedure gives you several options. You
can augment the smaller breast to look like the larger one, or you can
reduce the size of the larger breast to match the smaller one. Both
breast augmentation and reduction are common procedures in modern
plastic surgery. Breasts can be augmented using implants. In this
procedure, the surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue,
creates a pocket in the chest area, and places the implant inside the
pocket. Almost all implants used today are filled with a saline
solution. There are different designs of implants you can choose from.
If you want to reduce the size of one breast, an incision is made and
the excess fat tissue removed. The length of the surgery to even out
your breasts depends on the type of procedure you choose. Each
procedure can take up to three hours, and you can probably expect to
be under local I-V sedation for about two hours. If you think you
might be interested in correcting your asymmetrical breasts, call a
cosmetic surgeon for more information.
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