Toledo Plastic Surgery

Procedures - Breast Surgery

Breast Augmentation (Silicone and Saline Implants)

If you are thinking about breast augmentation, you are not alone. Last year more than 125,000 women chose to enhance their looks through a procedure that is now the second most popular of all cosmetic plastic surgeries. In fact, doctors have been performing—and perfecting—the procedure for thirty years.

Breast augmentation (also called mammaplasty) is a surgery to contour and enlarge breasts using implants. Many women choose the procedure because they feel their breasts are too small for their body. Some women lose breast size after childbirth or breastfeeding. For others, nature was not overly generous to begin with. And there are other women who are bothered by uneven breasts and would like a more naturally balanced look.

Is It Vain to Consider a Surgical Procedure That Can Change Your Appearance?

Certainly not. To want to look good, to have an appearance that is inviting to others, and to look attractive in clothing is only natural. Nothing is wrong with a heightened sense of self-esteem, and breast augmentation has given many women a greater confidence and better feeling about their own femininity and body.

Do They Look Natural?

Implanted breasts tend to be rounder and firmer than breasts that have not been augmented—characteristics that some people think are actually improvements on mother nature. What breast size is your ideal? We usually think “cup size” when we think breasts. After all, that’s how we choose our bras and bathing suits. If you tell your doctor you want a “C” cup, he or she will understand the general size you wish to be after breast augmentation. But in reality, implants don’t come in cup measurements—they come in “cc's” (cubic centimeters, a measurement of volume) as well as a few different shapes. There are some things you can do to more clearly convey the breast size you wish to be, although your body size and proportions will be a determining factor in the breast size and shape that is right for you.

Breast Reduction

Is there such a thing as being too well endowed? For thousands of women, the resounding answer is yes. Very heavy, large breasts can cause great physical discomfort—chronic shoulder, back and neck pain, deep grooves from bra straps—as well as limit participation in certain activities or exercise. Breasts that are excessively out of proportion to a woman’s body can cause anguish, embarrassment and self-consciousness.

It’s no wonder that many women have opted for breast reduction (mammaplasty), a procedure to remove excessive breast tissue and reshape the breasts to be in balance with body type and stature. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were more than 70,000 breast reduction procedures performed in 1998.

Most women say the benefits of having more ”normal” size breasts far outweigh the disadvantages of extensive incision sites. Although easily concealed with clothing, anchor-shaped incisions are made on the breast that result in visible scarring.

What bra size will you be following surgery? Your breasts will be examined and measured; you and your doctor will discuss what proportion will be pleasing as well as what is possible surgically. You will also discuss the size and position of the areola and nipple that are “lifted” during the procedure. Your doctor will probably photograph your breasts for reference during and after surgery. Be open and honest about your hopes and expectations. Your surgeon’s goal is to provide you with aesthetically agreeable results that you’ll be happy with.

Breast Lift

There isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t feel and see the effects of gravity on her body — it’s just a matter of time. Youthful-appearing breasts — high, firm, rounded — are admired and desired. But often, breasts are “the first to go,” losing their shape and elasticity after pregnancy, nursing and the passing of years.

Breast lift (or mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to reshape and raise sagging breasts. In 1998, more than 31,000 women decided to enhance their appearance by having their breasts re-sculpted with this procedure. The surgeon removes excess, stretched skin which has allowed the breasts to droop and lifts the nipples to a higher, more pert position. If desired, the size of the areola can be reduced as part of the procedure as well. In some cases, breast implants are inserted at the same time to round and shape the breasts for a fuller, more natural appearance (See breast augmentation). A breast lift is similar to breast reduction mammaplasty — both procedures remodel the breast. The breast lift reshapes the breast by the removal of stretched and sagging skin; the breast reduction removes fat and breast tissue as well.

What results can you expect? Most women like the way their clothes fit after a breast lift — and have an easier time finding bras that are comfortable and flattering. Most are happier with their appearance when they look in the mirror, dressed and undressed. Many say they are better able to enjoy sports and exercise. And many say the breast lift also gives them a lift of self-confidence and better feelings about the attractiveness of their body.

There are several techniques for a breast lift that the cosmetic plastic surgeon can consider depending upon the degree of droopiness (ptosis) of the breast. In a youthful breast, the nipple lies above the inframammary fold on the mound of the breast. The surgeon will examine your breast, decide on the degree of ptosis, then determine the surgical treatment best for you.

It is important to understand that a breast lift is not forever — time does march on! — and the procedure does result in some scars which are visible when you are naked. Your cosmetic plastic surgeon will talk to you about what you can expect and ways you can lessen the chance of noticeable scarring. Ask to see before and after photographs of breast lifts from his/her patient case file for a clearer picture of what the procedure can do. The doctor wants you to be pleased with the end results.