Types of Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery is suitable for women with small, large, long or asymmetrical breasts. Numerous reconstructive techniques are available. The use of different types of breast implants may be combined with other breast surgery techniques, depending on your starting problem and your desired result.
- Breast Augmentation
- Mastopexy
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Asymmetry
- Revision Breast Surgery
- Breast Surgery Case Studies
- Patient Reported Outcome Measures relating to Breast surgery
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation with silicone-based implants can give great satisfaction to patients who have had little breast development or who have lost breast volume following pregnancy and breastfeeding. Different approaches are suitable in these two situations and there are numerous variables to be considered. It is important to understand the potential benefits and limitations of such surgery. Successful breast augmentation can dramatically enhance the confidence and quality of life of a woman in terms of how they feel about this part of their body. My use of specialist implants suited for the deflated breast after pregnancy can often avoid the need for a mastopexy that may otherwise be required to give an attractive and balanced result.
Mastopexy
Mastopexy (breast lift) surgery can powerfully reshape and reposition the breasts. Whilst many surgeons undertake this at the level of the skin only, I typically prefer a more comprehensive approach where the breast tissue itself is repositioned to give more long-lasting shapely results to the breasts. This surgery results in a new higher position of the nipple and the areola around it. The scars around the new nipple position and in the lower breast are well tolerated and are often difficult to see after a few months have elapsed. This type of surgery can be carried out under general anaesthesia or under twilight sedation and can be performed on a day case basis if requested.
Combining breast augmentation and mastopexy surgery is suitable for women who have lost both breast volume and shape, typically after pregnancy and breastfeeding. This combination of techniques needs careful consideration and planning but again can often be carried out under general anaesthesia or under twilight sedation and can be performed on a day case basis if requested.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is suitable for those who have excessively large or heavy breasts. This often causes functional issues with regards to back pain, neck pain, discomfort from the wearing of support bras and occasional problems of personal hygiene in this region. Breast reduction surgery can have powerful benefits in quality of life both from a functional and psychological point of view. Numerous techniques exist and I would be happy to discuss the various scar patterns, size implications and operative choices involved with you.
Breast Asymmetry
Minor breast asymmetry is common but significant breast asymmetry may require surgical correction. All of the techniques mentioned above may be applied separately or combined in one or both breasts, aiming to give symmetry of breast volume and shape. Careful consideration needs to be given as to the target goal and shape of each breast and the differential techniques involved in this.
Revision Breast Surgery
Not uncommonly revision breast surgery is required to correct problems from operations undertaken previously. This may include a combination of techniques related to breast augmentation, reduction, mastopexy (lifting) and may particularly relate to the replacement of breast implants. Previously placed breast implants may no longer be suitable for the breast desired, may have developed capsular contracture, or may be in an unfavourable location within the breast based on other surgeons’ decisions. Replacing such implants, sometimes using specialist implants that minimise the chances of implant malposition, and often placing these implants external to the pectoral muscles can transform a previously suboptimal result to one that looks natural and attractive.
Sinclair Gore answers frequently asked questions about breast surgery.
Breast Surgery Case Studies
Patient Reported Outcome Measures relating to Breast surgery
Breast surgery without implants – breast reduction and mastopexy
Breast surgery including implants – breast augmentation and mastopexy-augmentation
