The breasts are an essential part of the female physique and help women feel attractive and feminine. The pectoral muscles are also an important aspect of the male physique, and a firm, toned chest often helps men feel self-assured and masculine. When someone is unhappy with her breasts or his chest, whether it be due to size, shape, position, or symmetry, it can negatively affect his or her confidence and quality of life. If you are unhappy with the look or feel of your breasts or chest, no matter the reason, chances are there’s a procedure to meet your needs and goals.
Breast augmentation surgery increases the size and enhances the shape of the breasts using implants placed above or below the pectoralis major muscle. Women with naturally small or misshapen breasts often undergo breast augmentation, and women who have lost breast volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding can restore and even enhance the size of their breasts.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer uses the patient’s own fat cells to increase the size and enhance the shape of the breasts. Women with naturally small or misshapen breasts often undergo breast augmentation, and women who have lost breast volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding can restore volume to their breasts. Liposuction is used to remove fat from problem areas of the body and achieve more slender contours. The purified fat is then strategically injected into the breasts. Multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the desired breast size and shape.
Breast lift surgery raises and reshapes the breasts to achieve a more youthful position and projection. It can correct sagging, pendulous breasts, enlarged areolas, and nipples that point downward. Women whose breasts have been affected by gravity, the natural aging process, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy and breastfeeding often undergo this procedure to restore youthful breasts. Excess skin is removed, and the surrounding tissues are tightened to reshape the breasts.
Breast revision surgery corrects unsatisfactory results from a previous breast augmentation, reduction, or lift procedure. Patients who have developed a complication, experienced an implant rupture, or who are not happy with the resulting size of their breasts can achieve their desired breast appearance with this procedure. The technique used will depend on the reason for revision, but the incisions are often made through existing scars to allow access to adjust, replace, or remove the implants. Surgery to correct recurrent breast sagging is also not uncommon.
Breast reconstruction surgery restores one or both breasts to as normal size, shape, and appearance as possible. Breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy treatment often undergo breast reconstruction. Flap reconstruction uses the patient’s fat, muscle, and skin from a donor site to create a breast mound, and the tissue expansion method uses an expander to stretch the skin over time to make room for a breast implant. Fat transfer can also be used for breast reconstruction or to correct a defect from a lumpectomy. This procedure involves liposuction to harvest fat cells that are purified before being injected into the breasts to add volume. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve the desired breast volume and shape with fat transfer.
Breast reduction surgery corrects overly large breasts to produce breasts that are in better proportion with the body. Women with excessive breast tissue often experience physical pain (e.g., back, neck, or shoulder pain) or emotional distress (e.g., embarrassment or unwanted attention) and can greatly benefit from a breast reduction. Excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin are removed to reduce the size of the breasts. If overly large breasts are primarily due to excess fat and the patient has good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be used for breast reduction.
Excessive male breast tissue, known as gynecomastia, may be caused by a hormone imbalance, heredity, or the use of certain drugs. Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery, can eliminate the embarrassment caused by “female-like breasts” and achieve a firmer, more masculine chest. With this procedure, excess glandular tissue, fat, and sometimes skin are removed. If gynecomastia is primarily due to excess fat and the patient has good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be used.
