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Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is an extremely popular procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. There are a variety of reasons for undergoing an augmentation, including small breasts, breast ptosis (sagging with age), loss of volume due to childbearing or weight loss, and congenital breast asymmetry. Augmentation can help restore an aesthetically pleasing breast in all of these situations. Three different surgical incisions can be utilized: axillary (under arm), infra-mammary (under the breast), and peri-areolar (around the nipple). We perform all of these, including the axillary approach which eliminates all scars from the breast.
Cosmetic augmentations are performed utilizing saline or silicone gel filled breast implants which are available in several styles (round, moderate profile plus and high profile). The implant style and size that would be most appropriate for you is determined during your consultation. Silicone gel implants are now available for primary cosmetic augmentations, provided the patient is at least 22 years of age. The implants are generally placed beneath the muscle of the chest wall which gives a softer, more natural appearance. This procedure can be done in our office operating room under general anesthesia and takes approximately 45-90 minutes. Recuperation takes about 5 to 7 days and possibly longer if your job requires heavy lifting.
Drs. Keller, Lovett and Blakemore would like to suggest massage therapy following your breast surgery. Massage therapy will aid in reducing swelling, pain and bruising postoperatively. It can also alleviate the muscle spasms some patients may experience. This will help reduce the amount of muscle relaxants and pain medication you require. In addition, our massage therapists are experienced in scar massage which assists in minimizing the appearance of your surgical scars. A postoperative massage is suggested 7-10 days following your surgery.
The cost of your first postoperative massage is included in the price of your surgery. You are encouraged to consult with your massage therapist about designing a specific program to expedite your recovery and optimize your results.
To learn more about breast augmentation, please contact our office.
In addition, there are many informative websites on this subject, such as www.implantinfo.com.
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Breast Reduction
Large breasts are commonly associated with a wide variety of unpleasant symptoms including neck/back/shoulder pain, deep grooves from bra straps, skin rashes/infection, poor posture, difficulty exercising, and the inability to obtain proper-fitting clothing. Breast reduction surgery is designed to decrease the size and weight of the breast, thereby alleviating these symptoms. When the breast is reduced, it is also lifted and the nipple restored to the front of the breast. Most scars are red initially, but fade to a fine white line over a period of months.
This surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis and most people can return to work and regular activities within two to three weeks. The surgery may be covered by your insurance company if it is deemed to be medically necessary.
Drs. Keller, Lovett and Blakemore would like to suggest massage therapy following your breast surgery. Massage therapy will aid in reducing swelling, pain and bruising postoperatively. In addition, our massage therapists are experienced in scar massage which assists in minimizing the appearance of your surgical scars. A postoperative massage is suggested 7-10 days following your surgery.
The Upstate Skin Care Center and Spa offers a 15% discount to our insured breast reduction patients for their first postoperative massage. You are encouraged to consult with your massage therapist about designing a specific program to expedite your recovery and optimize your results.
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Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure designed to correct sagging of the breast. Ptosis, or sagging, can be due to aging, weight loss and child bearing. Re-shaping and lifting the breast is accomplished by removing excess skin.
The extent of the scars depends on how significant the sagging is. At a minimum the scar will encircle the nipple/areola region. With increasing amounts of excess skin, additional incisions become necessary extending from the areola to the fold under the breast , and within the fold under the breast. The incisions typically heal well, leaving very acceptable scars.
If you wish to restore the lost volume to the breasts as well as to reshape them, the best results will be obtained with a combination of a lift and an augmentation with a breast implant. This procedure can be performed in the office as an outpatient. Recovery time is brief and most individuals can return to work within a week.
Drs. Keller, Lovett and Blakemore would like to suggest massage therapy following your breast surgery. Massage therapy will aid in reducing swelling, pain and bruising postoperatively. In addition, our massage therapists are experienced in scar massage which assists in minimizing the appearance of your surgical scars. A postoperative massage is suggested 7-10 days following your surgery.
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Breast Asymmetry
Congenital breast asymmetry is a common condition affecting many women. A combination of the techniques described on this page can often be used to improve the appearance of the affected breast, as well as restore symmetry with the opposite side. Insurance coverage for these procedures vary by insurance company. A consultation with one of our doctors is needed to determine what procedures will be necessary for an individual patient. |
Breast Reconstruction
Today, almost all patients with breast cancer are candidates for breast reconstruction. In most instances the reconstructive procedure is begun immediately following the mastectomy. This markedly reduces or eliminates the period of time during which the patient must live without a breast. Immediate reconstruction has repeatedly been shown to be safe and much better for the individuals emotional well being. Your surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon will work together to design the best operation for you.
Breast reconstruction is performed using either a synthetic implant, natural tissue borrowed from another part of the body, or a combination of both. Implant reconstruction is done in two phases: an initial operation when the tissue expander is placed under the chest wall muscle immediately after the mastectomy, and a second operation when the tissue expander is removed and a permanent implant is placed. The tissue expander is an unfilled implant with a valve, which allows it to be slowly inflated in the office after surgery. The permanent implant is a saline or silicone gel filled prosthesis that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The implant used is chosen to best match the opposite breast. The advantages of this approach include a more rapid recovery and there are no additional scars off of the breast.
Breast reconstruction using your own tissue involves moving skin and fat from another area to replace the breast tissue. The lower stomach is the most common area to borrow tissue from, but the back can be used as well. These procedures require the sacrifice of a muscle to maintain the blood supply to the tissue and therefore recovery is more prolonged and the scars are more extensive. The aesthetic results of these reconstructions can be quite remarkable. The reconstructed breast is extremely soft and ptosis (sag) can be achieved to better match the opposite breast.
Following either type of reconstruction, a new nipple can be created. Breast reconstruction and procedures done on the opposite breast to improve symmetry (reduction, lift, or augmentation) are covered by your health insurance.
Our surgeons specialize in the TRAM Flap procedure and believe it gives the most natural appearing reconstruction as well as producing few complications.
Drs. Keller, Lovett and Blakemore would like to suggest massage therapy following your breast surgery. Massage therapy will aid in reducing swelling, pain and bruising postoperatively. It can also alleviate the muscle spasms some patients experience. This will help reduce the amount of muscle relaxants and pain medication you require. In addition, our massage therapists are experienced in scar massage which assists in minimizing the appearance of your surgical scars. A postoperative massage is suggested 7-10 days following your surgery.
The Upstate Skin Care Center and Spa offers a 15% discount to our insured breast reconstruction patients for their first postoperative massage. You are encouraged to consult with your massage therapist about designing a specific program to expedite your recovery and optimize your results.
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