Table of content
- Types of BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
- Procedure
- Risks and complications
- Pre-operation preparation
- Post-operative care
- Expected Results and recovery timeline
- Appointments and consultation
- Frequently asked questions
- Meet the team
- Pricing and payment plans
- Medical literature and research
- Support and counseling
- Send a message
BERAST RE-SHAPE / RE-SIZING
INDICATION – BRIEF
Breast re-shaping and re-sizing usually refers to surgical procedures like augmentation, reduction, or lift. Clinical reasons include macromastia, where excessively large breasts cause physical discomfort and symptoms such as back pain, skin issues, or breathing problems, and post-mastectomy or lumpectomy reconstruction. Non-clinical reasons are often psychological, driven by dissatisfaction with the current size, shape, or symmetry of breasts, impacting self-esteem and body image. Lifestyle factors or age-related changes can also lead to the decision to undergo such procedures. Remember to consult a licensed professional for personal medical advice.
INDICATION – DEFINITION
The term “Breast RE-shape / RE-size” typically refers to a surgical procedure aimed at altering the size and/or shape of a woman’s breasts. The most common procedures in this regard are breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lift (or mastopexy). Breast reshaping and resizing can be performed for both clinical and non-clinical reasons.
Clinical Indications
- Macromastia/Gigantomastia: This is a condition characterized by overly large breasts causing physical discomfort, including neck pain, back pain, and skin irritations.
- Post-Mastectomy/Lumpectomy: After surgeries for breast cancer, many women opt for breast reconstruction to restore the shape and size of the removed breast.
- Congenital Asymmetry: Some women may have significant size difference between breasts due to congenital conditions.
Non-Clinical Indications
- Cosmetic Reasons: Some women may be dissatisfied with the size, shape, or symmetry of their breasts, impacting their self-esteem and body image.
- Aging or Lifestyle Changes: Changes in breast shape and size due
SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
Symptoms
- Physical discomfort: For those with excessively large breasts (macromastia), symptoms can include chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as skin irritations under the breast crease.
- Psychological distress: This can result from dissatisfaction with breast size, shape, or symmetry, potentially impacting self-esteem and mental health.
- Post-mastectomy/lumpectomy change: After breast cancer surgery, the change in breast shape and size can be a constant reminder of the illness.
Diagnosis
The decision for breast re-shaping/re-sizing is not based on a conventional diagnosis, but rather on a consultation with a qualified medical professional. This typically involves:
- Physical examination: A healthcare professional will typically conduct a comprehensive physical exam, considering factors such as breast size, shape, skin quality, and placement of the nipples and areolas.
- Medical history: They will take a detailed medical history, including information about any breast changes, past surgeries, and any family history of breast cancer.
- Psychological evaluation: As these procedures can have significant psychological effects, a mental health evaluation might be part of the process.
Prognosis and Impact
Prognosis
- Physical Health: Most patients report relief from physical discomfort following breast reduction surgery, including reductions in back, neck, and shoulder pain.
- Mental Health: For those seeking surgery for cosmetic reasons or for reconstruction following breast cancer, there is typically a notable improvement in self-esteem, body image, and overall mental health.
Impact
- Quality of Life: Improvements in physical health and mental well-being can lead to a significantly improved quality of life, including increased physical activity and social engagement.
- Psychological Adjustment: Breast reshaping/resizing can have psychological implications. While most are positive, such as improved body image and confidence, some individuals may struggle with adjustment to their new body image.
- Long-term Care: Depending on the type of procedure, there may be a need for additional surgeries in the future. For instance, breast implants aren’t designed to last a lifetime, and might need to be replaced.
Treatment Options
- Breast Augmentation: This involves placing implants (saline or silicone) under breast tissue or chest muscles to increase breast size. A newer alternative is fat transfer augmentation, which uses liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts.
- Breast Reduction: This procedure involves removal of excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body. It’s often performed to alleviate discomfort associated with excessively large breasts.
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): This procedure raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. It’s often performed to correct sagging breasts due to aging, weight loss, or post-pregnancy changes.
- Breast Reconstruction: This procedure aims to restore one or both breasts to near normal shape, appearance, symmetry and size following mastectomy, lumpectomy or other trauma. This can be achieved through implants, autologous tissue reconstruction (using your own body tissue), or a combination.
- Revision Procedures: Some patients may require or opt for additional procedures after their initial surgery, such as implant exchange, correction of asymmetry, or adjustments to size and shape.
Risks and Side Effects
- Breast Augmentation:
- Risks: Capsular contracture (scar tissue that forms around the implant and squeezes it), implant leakage or rupture, changes in nipple or breast sensation, implant displacement.
- Side Effects: Temporary pain, swelling, bruising, changes in nipple sensitivity.
- Breast Reduction:
- Risks: Scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, difficulty breastfeeding, asymmetry in breast size.
- Side Effects: Temporary pain, swelling, bruising.
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy):
- Risks: Scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, partial or total loss of the nipples or areolas, asymmetry in breast size.
- Side Effects: Temporary pain, swelling, bruising.
- Breast Reconstruction:
- Risks: Depends on the method used (implants or autologous reconstruction), but may include infection, complications related to anesthesia, clot formation, poor healing, and reconstruction failure.
- Side Effects: Temporary pain, swelling, bruising, fatigue, changes in breast or nipple sensation.
- Revision Procedures:
- Risks: Additional scarring, infection, complications related to anesthesia, and potential dissatisfaction with cosmetic outcomes.
- Side Effects: Temporary pain, swelling, bruising.
FAQ Section
Breast reshaping or resizing involves surgical procedures like breast augmentation, reduction, or lift, which are designed to change the size, shape, or symmetry of a woman’s breasts.
The ideal candidate is someone in good health, has realistic expectations, and understands the risks and benefits involved. Factors such as physical discomfort from large breasts, dissatisfaction with size or shape, or reconstruction needs after mastectomy can make someone a good candidate.
While there may be discomfort and soreness following the procedure, pain can be managed effectively with medication. Most patients report that the benefits outweigh the temporary discomfort.
Typically, it takes several weeks to fully recover, although this can vary depending on the individual and the specific procedure performed. Patients are usually able to return to work within 1-2 weeks.
Risks can include scarring, changes in breast or nipple sensation, and complications related to anesthesia. Temporary side effects can include pain, swelling, and bruising. Risks and side effects vary by procedure, so a detailed discussion with your healthcare provider is necessary.
The results of breast reshaping or resizing are generally long-lasting, but they may be influenced by weight fluctuations, aging, and lifestyle factors. Implants may need to be replaced after a number of years.
Insurance coverage varies greatly. Some policies may cover breast reduction if it is deemed medically necessary, but most cosmetic procedures are typically not covered. Always check with your insurance provider to determine what your policy covers.
Some procedures may impact the ability to breastfeed. It’s important to discuss this with your surgeon if you plan on breastfeeding in the future.