Breast

1. Breasts are symmetric. Actually, the left side is usually larger than the right.
2. Size is subjective.  The breast usually reaches the sixth rib.  Average volume would be a B or C cup. 
3. Nipple is well above the fold and points outward.  The skin color around the nipple (areola) usually takes up less than one-third of the breast surface.
4. Overly large breasts can be a difficult problem. 

COMMENT:  Personal preference has a lot to do with breast aesthetics.

1. Is your breast volume and position adequate?
2. Place a pencil underneath one breast. If the pencil holds, some form of lifting in addition to volume size may be recommended.
3. Do you have back pain from breast mass?
4. Are stretch marks present from alterations in breast size?

1. Breast enlargement is usually performed by implants.  Chest wall size and the amount of loose skin in which to place the implant are limiting.  Usually, two increases in cup size is the maximum. 
2. Breast reductions often produce a very pleasing result, allowing the patient to be more active.  Aesthetically, the improved breast position and contour may be very satisfactory.  Usually, one operation proves adequate for years.

1. Breast Capsulectomy

2. Breast Augmentation

3. Breast Augmentation

4. Breast Uplift

5. Breast Asymmetry

6. Breast Reduction

7. Male Breast Reduction

For women with a small chest, perhaps there is no single group of plastic surgery patients whose self-esteem improves more with a good procedure.  Despite all of the controversy surrounding breast implants, satisfying results in these women is very gratifying to both the doctor and the patient. 

Saline implants do not offer quite as natural a texture as the silicone, but can still produce. Excellent results that are worry-free. The ultimate result has much more to do with the healing around the implant area than the implant itself.

Size is not the only issue with breasts- shape and contour are important, too.  Some women are satisfied with having smaller breasts that are well-formed.  Others consider their breasts too large or pendulous and wish a breast lift or reduction.

 Every woman has to decide what fits her lifestyle.  Put a pencil underneath your  breast and if the pencils sticks, the breast may need some form of lifting as well as an implant.  The breast lifts or reductions are fairly extensive procedures requiring three or four hours of surgery to get the breast to still match, look natural, and have fine scars.

In general with implants, some women's chests can support larger breast than others.  Initially a small implant may be placed and after several years, when the skin stretches, a larger implant may be more suitable. Generally the breast can go up two sizes, meaning that A's can go to small C's, and B's can go to small D's.

There are three common incisions that are used to place the implant- in the armpit, around the nipple, or underneath the breast itself.  Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Through the armpit, the surgeon may have trouble accurately placing the implant and dissecting out the pocket properly.  The incision along the edge of the nipple may leave a fine scar and on rare occasions may interfere with breast function and sensitivity.  Thirdly, when the incision is below the breast, the weight of the implant is hanging down over the scar and may cause the scar to stretch.  The appearance of the breast before the surgery may be important in the surgeon's decision to use one technique or the other.  For instance, in patients with a good fold underneath the breast, it may be a more appropriate place to make the incision than those that are not.

For many years, breast implants were routinely placed just below the breast tissue and over the muscles below.  This muscle below the breast is called the Pectoralis Major To prevent the formation of a scar capsule around the implant, some surgeons have found it advantageous to place the implant below the muscle.  The muscle action seems to reduce the formation of scar.  Implants below the muscle may be higher on the chest wall but they seem to stretch out with time and drop down.  Implants over the muscle may give a more balanced look and often can be larger.

Surgical Risk

• possible complications of general anesthesia, as well as nausea, vomiting and fever
• infection
• haematoma (collection of blood that may cause swelling, pain and bruising, perhaps requiring surgical draining)
• hemorrhage (abnormal bleeding)
• thrombosis (abnormal clotting)
• skin necrosis--skin tissue death resulting from insufficient blood flow to the skin. The chance of skin necrosis may be increased by radiation treatments, cortisone-like drugs, an implant too large for the available space, or smoking.

Implant Risks

• capsular contracture (hardening of the breast due to scar tissue)
• leak or rupture--silicone implants may leak or rupture slowly, releasing silicone gel into surrounding tissue; saline implants may rupture suddenly and deflate, usually requiring immediate removal or replacement
• temporary or permanent change or loss of sensation in the nipple or breast tissue
• formation of calcium deposits in surrounding tissue, possibly causing pain and hardening
• shifting from the original placement, giving the breast an unnatural look
• interference with mammography readings, possibly delaying breast cancer detection by "hiding" a suspicious lesion. Also, it may be difficult to distinguish calcium deposits formed in the scar tissue from a tumor when interpreting the mammogram. When making an appointment for a mammogram, the woman should tell the scheduler she has implants to make sure qualified personnel are on-site. At the time of the mammogram she should also remind the technician she has implants before the procedure is done, so the technician can use special techniques to obtain the best mammogram and to avoid rupturing the implant.