Breast Procedures
- BREAST AUGMENTATION (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
- BREAST LIFT SURGERY (Mastopexy)
- BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY (Reduction Mammaplasty)
- BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY (Reconstructive Mammaplasty)
Breast augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
Augmentation mammaplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to enhance the appearance of the breasts. It is commonly used to enlarge breasts that are felt to be too small or underdeveloped. It can also be used to restore volume to the breasts that was lost following weight loss, aging, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. In selected women, it can be used to improve the symmetry between the right and left breasts, and may also be used for reconstructive purposes following injury or breast cancer.
Breast augmentation surgery is performed using an implant that either contains silicone gel or saline. With the availability of different implant styles, a woman may benefit from one type versus another. The incision is small and is hidden in one of four locations. Implant surgery can be performed through an incision at the breast fold, at the edge of the areola, in the armpit, or through the belly button. Implants can be positioned just beneath the breast tissue or behind the pectoralis muscle. Each incision, implant, and position offers benefits and tradeoffs that will be discussed with you by Dr. McKane during your consultation.
Breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in our AAAHC-accredited outpatient SurgiCenter. You are able to recover in the comfort of your home following surgery. The recovery period varies with each patient; however the majority of patients are able to resume most normal activities within one week of surgery. The decision on when to return to work and normal activities depends on how fast you heal and on your emotional state. After surgery, pain is minimal and is easily controlled by medication.
Breast augmentation is the number one surgical procedure among women, and the vast majority of patients rarely experience any problems associated with breast implants. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the potential risks and complications associated with breast augmentation surgery. Postoperative problems that are uncommon, but may occur, include nerve damage, infection, delayed healing, or localized collections of blood. Other problems associated with implants include shifting of the implants, asymmetry, implant rupture, and capsular contracture. Risk of complications can be minimized by closely sticking to Dr. McKane's advice on follow-up care during the recovery and healing periods. Smokers should be aware that smoking increases the risks of certain complications, and is strongly discouraged to stop at least four weeks before and after the surgery.
Breast lift surgery (Mastopexy)
Throughout a woman's life, the breasts undergo significant changes. Over time, the effects of aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and significant weight fluctuations take their toll on the youthful breast. This often leads to drooping of her breasts as well as atrophy or loss of some of the breast tissues. Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is designed to position and support the breast tissue in a higher location on the chest wall. Depending on the patient's goals, implants can be used at the time of a breast lift to add volume to the breasts.
Breast lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, breast tissue is moved into a higher position on the chest wall and the excess skin is removed. There are several different types of breast lift procedures. Depending on the degree of breast descent, the incision necessary to perform this may be one that surrounds the areola, surrounds the areola and crosses the front of the breast, or surrounds the areola, crosses the front of the breast and is positioned in the breast fold.
The recovery period following breast lift surgery varies with each patient. The majority of patients are able to resume most normal activities including the return to work within one week of surgery. Breast incisions will undergo a period of maturation that typically lasts approximately one year.Breast lift surgery is a well-suited procedure for our AAAHC-accredited outpatient SurgiCenter. In some patients, with more extensive surgical needs or with certain medical problems, the procedure will be performed in the hospital. The majority of breast lift patients can still recover in the comfort of their own home.
Most patients do not experience complications from their surgery; however, you should be aware of some of the specific risks associated with breast lift surgery. Postoperative complications such as delayed healing, nerve damage, infection, or localized collections of blood are typically uncommon. Other problems associated with mastopexy include asymmetry, unattractive scarring, and loss of the nipple or breast skin. Smokers should be aware that smoking is not allowed four weeks before and four weeks after surgery, which is to help prevent the risk of potential loss of breast skin or the nipple and areola. By closely sticking to Dr. McKane's advice on follow-up care during the healing process, the risk of complications can be minimized.
Breast reduction surgery (Reduction Mammaplasty)
A woman with excessive breast development may experience significant physiological and psychological distress. Large breasts may become an impediment to a woman's ability to perform her job, exercise, or to wear certain fashions due to undesirable attention. The excessive weight of overly large breast development may cause major neck and back pain as well as grooving in the shoulders from brassiere straps. At times, grooving may lead to nerve compression and result in numbness of the hands and arms. Chronic skin irritation or infections in the breast folds may occur due to maceration of the skin beneath the breasts. Skin ulceration can occur in patients with massive enlargement. Because exercise may be difficult, weight gain is common in women with enlarged breasts. Breast reduction surgery has great power to improve these problems and over 90% of women surveyed following breast reduction reported that they would undergo the procedure again.
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the breast tissue is reduced in volume and moved into a higher position on the chest wall. The nipple and areola are re-centered on the breast mound. There are several surgeries that can be used to perform a breast reduction. Depending on the degree of breast enlargement, the incision necessary to perform this may be one that surrounds the areola and crosses the front of the breast (vertical reduction), or surrounds the areola, which crosses the front of the breast and is positioned in the breast fold (wise pattern reduction). Breast reduction is a well-suited procedure for our AAAHC-accredited outpatient SurgiCenter. In some patients with extensive surgical needs or other medical problems, it will be performed in the hospital. Most patients are able to go home the same day, which allows them to recover in the comfort of their own home.
There is usually not as much pain as one would expect following breast reduction surgery. Fortunately, the discomfort that does develop can be treated with an oral pain medication. The recovery period varies with each patient; however, the majority of patients are able to resume most normal activities including returning to work within one week of surgery. Following surgery, breast incisions will undergo a period of maturation that typically lasts a year or more.
Breast reduction surgeries are frequently performed each year without any complications, although you should be aware of the potential risks associated with breast reduction surgery. Postoperative complications are usually uncommon, but delayed healing, infection, nerve damage, or localized collections of blood may occur. Some of the other problems that may develop after breast reduction surgery include unattractive scarring, asymmetry, and loss of the nipple or breast skin. Smokers should be aware that smoking is not allowed four weeks prior to and four weeks after surgery. This is due to the risk for nipple and areolar loss or skin loss. To help minimize risk of complications, it is important to closely stick to Dr. McKane's advice on follow-up care during the healing process.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery (Reconstructive Mammaplasty)
Breast reconstruction is a process by which a breast mound and ultimately the nipple and areola can be created to correct problems with congenital deformity or absence of the breast following the treatment of breast cancer. A patient with an absent or undeveloped breast may feel that she is missing a component of her identity and what it is to be feminine. Breast reconstruction is designed to help in the healing process of a woman undergoing treatment for cancer, to restore her identity, and to help make her feel whole again. Breast reconstruction is a process that typically involves several stages performed over several months. The procedures may involve the use of implants, the patient’s own tissues, or a combination of both. Symmetry procedures can be performed to help improve the balance between a woman’s breast and the reconstructed one.
Breast reconstruction surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. There are several different types of breast reconstruction procedures and Dr. McKane will recommend an individualized plan for you based on your reconstructive needs. The recovery period following breast lift surgery varies with each patient and with the procedure chosen. Most patients are able to resume most normal activities including returning to work within two to six week’s of surgery. Breast incisions will undergo a period of maturation that typically lasts approximately one year.
Components of breast reconstruction surgery are well suited to our AAAHC accredited SurgiCenter. In some patients with more extensive surgical needs or with certain medical problems, the procedure will be performed in the hospital.
Many breast reconstruction surgeries are successfully performed each year and most patients don’t experience complications from their surgery. Nevertheless, you should be aware of some of the specific risks associated with breast reconstruction surgery. Postoperative complications such as delayed healing, nerve damage, infection, or localized collections of blood are uncommon. Other problems associated with breast reconstruction surgery include asymmetry, unattractive scarring, wrippling, and capsular contracture. Smokers should be aware that smoking is not allowed for four weeks prior to and four weeks after surgery due to the risk of potential loss of breast skin or the nipple and areola. Risk of complications can be minimized by closely following Dr. McKane’s advice on follow-up care during the healing process.
DR. BRICE W. MCKANE
Cosmetic Surgery Associates
2530 West Holcombe
Houston, TX 77030
800-544-1269
713-661-5255