Breast Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:
- To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
- To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy.
- To balance a difference in breast size.
- As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.
By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's bustline by one or more bra cup sizes.
Breast Reduction
Many women experience restrictions of their daily activities due to the size of their breasts. Overly large breasts can cause pains of the upper and lower back as well as the shoulders. The weight of large breasts can cause bra strap indentions in the shoulder areas. These discomforts make it difficult to exercise. Limited fashion choices may occasionally cause embarrassment and stress. Breast reduction surgery can lead to freedom from these physical and emotional nuisances. Which is most likely the reason why patients who have had breast reductions are among the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients!
Younger women who may still be growing should not consider surgery for a few more years. The best candidates for this surgery have reached the full developmental potential for their breasts. Other qualifying conditions are breast that are bulky in relation to the rest of the body, sagging breasts with low nipples and areolas, one breast significantly larger than the other, and feelings of self-consciousness concerning the size of the breasts.
If your body type fits any of these descriptions, you may be interested in a breast reduction. By removing excess breast tissue and skin, a surgeon can reshape and raise your breasts. In the process, areolas are repositioned and can even be reduced to be more proportional to the size of your new breasts. A three-part incision is typically made for a breast reduction. The incision comes around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the crease below the breast and horizontally in the natural crease under the breast. Tissue, fat and skin are excised from the area of the incision. This allows the nipple to be raised higher and the low-lying tissue under the breast to be brought together to reshape and lift the remaining breast tissue for a perkier breast. The nipple and areola most often remain attached to the underlying tissue to minimize the risk of lost sensation. The incision is then sutured to support the new breast contours.
Breast reductions are outpatient operations. You will return to your home after a period in the post anesthesia care unit. You will need someone to care for you for the first day and night. However, this is a relatively painless surgery. You will move around comfortably within the first week. Drains are removed usually days after the procedure. Bruising and swelling subside and sensation will return to the nipple areola areas over the next few weeks. In six weeks time you can return to normal activity and exercise. Even while you are healing and recovering, most patients no longer feel pains experienced while carrying their heavier and larger breasts. And thought the scars from the incisions are permanent but they will fade with time. Most importantly, the scars are easily concealed by lingerie and bathing suits.
If this procedure is of interest to you, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Baldwin. A consultation is the best way to have questions concerning each individual's needs answered. At this visit, you can explain to Dr. Baldwin exactly what you would like to achieve. After a discussion and examination, Dr. Baldwin will determine what she can do for you and your body type. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Baldwin by calling the office at 713 791-1975 or through email from this website. We look forward to working with you!
Breast Lift
Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breastlift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts--at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size.
Literature is referenced from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
