Breast
Breast reduction
Breast lift (mastopexy)
Correction of asymmetry
Gynaecomastia
Fat Grafting
Implant removal
Breast augmentation
Nipple & areolar surgery
When considering surgery of the breast, it is important to know that the size, shape, consistency and skin quality differ from person to person. Lifetstyle factors and medical conditions also may have a large impact on deciding on what’s the best procedure for you. There are also various procedures and techniques that can be used to achieve an optimal result. It’s important to have a full assessment and discussion with a plastic surgeon who will have experience in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and be able to explain the various techniques and why it may or may not be the best approach for you.
I encourage everyone to do a breast self examination each month. This is so you can become familiar with what is normal for you. If you feel a lump, or have new onset nipple inversion, discharge or skin changes, then you should see your GP as these can be a sign of breast cancer.
Breast Reduction
Large heavy breasts often cause poor posture, back and neck pain. Many also suffer from rashes or skin breakdown under the breasts. It's often difficult to buy clothes and can be unpainful to exercise. A breast reduction can relieve these symptoms as well as improve confidence and emotional well being.
Breast Lift / Mastopexy
Breasts often sag or droop after breastfeeding, with hormonal changes, following weight loss, and as the skin and breast ligaments lose elasticity with aging. This is called ‘breast ptosis’. The nipple often faces down and the breast loses volume and becomes flat and saggy. A breast lift can restore a more youthful and comfortable shape to the breast. Sometimes fat grafting or a breast implant may be needed to adequately restore some of the volume that has been lost.
Correction of breast asymmetry
Everyone has some asymmetry of their breasts. In some people the breasts can be very different sizes or shapes. This may be due to abnormal development or trauma, or previous surgery. A variety of techniques including fat grafting, breast reduction, breast lift or an implant are used to achieve optimal symmetry. Those with tuberous breasts may also require additional techniques for correction.
Breast augmentation / implant
Those with poor breast development, low volume breasts / flat chest or breast asymmetry may benefit from breast augmentation. This can improve confidence and a feeling of femininity. I believe that any augmentation needs to be in keeping with body proportions and put limited pressure on the surrounding tissues for a natural looking and long lasting result.
Exchange / removal of implants
Breast implants should have surveillance to pick up on any signs of rupture, capsular contracture or breast associated illness. The recommendation is to have surveillance every 2 years until the implants have been in for 10 years, and then yearly following that. Ruptured implants require removal. Some patients wish to have new implants inserted, and others do not. You may wish to have the implants exchanged or removed for other reasons. After removing implants, a lift or fat grafting is often required to recreate a the breast shape.
Nipple inversion
If you have always had nipple inversion, there are several techniques that can correct this and depend on the severity of inversion and whether there is a wish for breastfeeding in the future.
