Breast Reshaping (mammoplasty)

Breast augmentation

The operation consists of injecting a prosthetic device (breast implant), made of silicon and filled with liquid - silicon gel or physiological solution - directly under the mammary gland or major pectoral muscle.

Breast augmentation photos

Breast Augmentation. Before procedure.

Breast Augmentation. After procedure.

This procedure may be prescribed when one has naturally small breasts, decrease of the breast size after the lactation period or as a result of weight loss, mammary gland deformation after surgery for mastitis or benign tumor. The goal of the operation is to increase the size and improve the contour of the breast. Unfortunately, the applications of this method are limited and to a large extent depend not on the patient's desires but on the initial state of mammary glands, i.e. the prominence of the subcutaneous fat, existence of ptosis, and scar deformation. Symmetry in size and shape of halos and nipples, which existed before, is preserved after the operation.

Before the operation, a medical examination and laboratory tests are performed. During the preliminary consultation the physician will gather information about any previous or existing internal diseases, previous operations and allergies.

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia.. At times, it is sufficient to use local anaesthesia combined with intravenous injection of sedatives. The ultimate decision as to what method should be used is only possible after the physician's examination. The operation usually lasts up to 1.5 hours.

During the operation, an incision of 4 to 5 cm is made below the mammary gland, along the skin -fold between the breast and the chest. The location of the incision is selected to produce the least noticeable scar in the future. Through the gap in the mammary gland the surgeon creates «the pocket» directly behind the mammary gland tissue (between the mammary gland and the pectoral muscles), or under the pectoral breast muscle itself. The silicon implant is then placed in this pocket. Cosmetic stitches are then used to close the opening.

The success of the operation depends mostly on the surgeon's technique, his experience in operating on mammary glands. The appearance of scars will depend on individual distinctive features, which can be determined before the operation.

Immediate post- operative complications of breast augmentation could be infection due to use of low-quality materials, unsanitary operating room conditions and poor post-operative care. Due to injury, the implant could be damaged, requiring its surgical removal. The body's rejection of an implant is rare. According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies, there is no evidence that breast implants lead to development of cancer or autoimmune diseases.

During the post-operational period, the patient may experience some discomfort - heaviness and a feeling of stretching. These symptoms, as a rule, pass in 3-5 weeks following the operation. The stitches are removed on the 10th day. The post-operational scars become pink and may start to increase due to stretching. After 4-6 months the scar starts to fade until eventually it is barely visible.

Breast reduction (mammo-reduction)

This surgical procedure involves the extraction of part of the mammary gland and the movement of the nipple to a higher position.

The operation is prescribed for women who wish to decrease the size of the breast and to correct its shape. A large mammary gland can be the source of multiple problems: sustained aches in cervical and dorsal spine, irritation of skin under the breast folds and difficulties during sleep, including difficulty breathing. Cosmetic defects are also significant. The unattractive aesthetic look of the breast and skin reddening are the most frequent feminine troubles.

Breast reduction photos

Before

After

The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

In the course of the operation, an incision is made around the nipple upward in the form of a trapezoid or a triangle. A surgeon extracts mammary gland tissue and under-skin fat cellular tissue and partially extirpates them. Then the nipple with the halo is extracted and removed to a higher position on the breast. The surgeon must extract the nipple so as not to disturb nerves and blood vessels feeding the nipple. Otherwise, in the post-operational period the loss of nipple sensitivity and, at worst, necrosis of this area can occur. Stitches are put in the mammary gland tissue and cosmetic stitches are placed on the skin. Sometimes a small drainage tube is temporarily inserted, through which excess blood and fluids may be extracted.

The principal complications of mammo-reduction are injury pyosis due to infection, bleeding and formation of hematoma , loss of nipple sensitivity, rejection of the removed nipple and halo due to a loss of blood supply. Avoidance of these complications depends mostly on the surgeon's experience and qualifications, quality of clinic and use of modern technical equipment and materials.

The success of the operation can be assessed in 2-3 months after surgery. The stitches are usually removed on the 10th day. At first, the post-operational scars become pink and sometimes even start to increase due to stretching. After 4-6 months the scar starts to diminish until only a thin whitish line is left, practically invisible to others.