Asymmetrical Breasts, breast augmentation, Breast Implants, breast surgery, Techniques
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Breast augmentation surgery is traditionally performed using implants in order to create fullness especially in the upper poles of the breasts, and increase the bust size in order to achieve a more womanly figure.
In some cases, the breast implants move downward as the tissue that supports the device becomes weak and lax. If this happens, the breast crease will settle lower on the chest, leading to a cosmetically displeasing result.
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent this problem and one of the most effective is choosing the right implant size. For instance, petite women who often have a limited breast tissue and skin are generally recommended to choose smaller sizes in order to prevent bottoming out; in this way, they can also avoid visible and palpable ripples in the shell.
It is important to remember that inordinately large implants can expose patients to a higher risk of bottoming out and premature breast ptosis (or sagging) because of the extra weight the tissue and skin has to carry.
Another way to avoid bottoming out is creating an implant “pocket” which should be in the right size, preventing gross movements of the device. But in case that the room for implants has been over-dissected, the problem will usually occur just several weeks or months after a breast augmentation.
Meanwhile, the right placement of implant, particularly the complete submuscular technique, can also minimize the risk of bottoming out since the breast implants are supported by a thicker amount of tissue in the lower poles. This is not the case in other implant placements in which the lower poles are only supported by the skin tissue.
Another advantage of complete submuscular or “unders” is it prevents visible and palpable rippling because the top two-thirds of the implants is covered by the pectoral muscle.
Some doctors also suggest that using a bra that provides a good support to the weight of the implants can prevent or at least minimize the risk of bottoming out and breast ptosis.
But in case the implants have bottomed out, the only way to treat this problem is through another surgery which often involves an incision made along the breast crease. In this way, doctors can cut and roll up the tissue surrounding the device and then secure it with internal sutures.
Once the implant “pocket” has been corrected, the incision site is closed with tiny sutures.
For some patients, they may be asked to downsize their breast implants particularly if the main reason for bottoming out is the excess weight of the large implants.
September 27, 2011
Breast Implants, breast surgery
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For patients who are considering undergoing breast implant surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive purpose, they should discuss with their doctors the forward projection they would want to achieve.
The ideal forward projection or breast implant profile will largely depend on the body frame of patients. For instance, women with a very narrow or petite frame are recommended to have high profile implants while large-framed individuals should have moderate or low profile implants in order to achieve the most natural result.
High profile breast implants project more and their sidewall has more height, thus resulting to less risk of visible rippling. However, their base is narrower compared to low and moderate profile implants which makes them ideal for patients with smaller body frame.
On the other hand, low and moderate profile implants have a less frontal projection but have a wider base which makes them highly ideal for large-framed women who have a broader chest. It is important to note that these patients may end up having a cosmetically displeasing, pointed-looking breast if they will receive high profile implants.
However, not all petite patients should assume that they automatically qualify for high profile implants. In fact, a woman with a height of 4’10” may still have a relatively wide breast base which qualifies her to have low profile implants that can provide enough coverage and avoid the “extra” space from the base of the chest.
To be on the safe side, patients should only consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast implant surgery and has an extensive experience in this craft.
Patients should remember that a good plastic surgeon will always consider a person’s anatomy and will not push its limit by introducing implants that are too large in relation with the body frame or use inappropriate profiles which may result to a cosmetically displeasing result.
Aside from profiles, implants also come in different shapes (round or teardrop), sizes, shell texture, and fillings (saline or silicone gel) in order to create the most desired result and accommodate the anatomical features of a patient.
Meanwhile, petite women who often have limited amounts of tissue and skin in their breasts are generally advised to have smaller implants to minimize the risk of visible rippling, back pain due to the extra weight of the devices, “heavy” top appearance, premature ptosis or sagging, and other complications.
Using inordinately large implants in relation with the body may also result to more pain and discomfort during the healing time and longer recovery.
September 26, 2011
Breast Reduction, breast surgery, Plastic Surgery
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In general, insurance companies do not provide coverage for cosmetic plastic surgery which is an “elective” procedure and is performed solely to enhance a person’s appearance. However, this is not the case in reconstructive plastic surgery which aims to correct deformities and traumatic injuries and to improve the body’s function.
With this consideration, breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance if this is reconstructive in nature, meaning, it is performed to treat the physical symptoms associated with large, heavy breasts and not just to aesthetically improve the body.
To qualify for insurance coverage, a patient should meet these following criteria:
- Experiencing physical symptoms such as poor body posture, discomfort along the bra strap, chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulder, skin irritation in the crease or breast fold, and difficulty to perform exercise.
- The estimated weight of tissue and fats to be removed from each breast should be 300 grams or more.
- Wearing a C cup bra or larger.
- A patient should be near her ideal body weight and/or body mass index (BMI). Unfortunately, many women with enormously large breasts find it hard or even impossible to exercise because of their condition, consequently, it is important that a surgeon states this dilemma and mentions that breast reduction surgery can allow their patients to lead an active lifestyle.
- Suffering from a condition called macromastia in which the breasts become extremely large because of heightened sensitivity and/or high levels of female hormones in the bloodstream. If each breast weighs 600 grams, this is already considered a case of macromastia.
- Have already tried other non-surgical treatments such as supportive bras, weight loss, and physical therapy which did not improve the symptoms related to large, heavy breasts.
Even if some patients meet the criteria for breast reduction coverage, there are cases in which insurance companies deny their claims because of policy exclusion or the lack of information. For this reason, it is important to carefully read the policies before contacting the insurance agents.
In case the reason for denial is the lack of information, a patient and her plastic surgeon can make an appeal by providing more evidence such as photographs and supporting letters of other doctors and therapists. And if the insurance providers cite policy exclusion as the cause of rejection, a patient can file an appeal to her state department since many states nowadays mandate breast reduction coverage for patients who fit the criteria.
September 26, 2011
Breast Reduction, breast surgery, Special Occasions, Techniques
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Some men have “overdeveloped” breasts because of the extra weight, hormonal imbalance, drug or alcohol abuse, and medications which contain estrogen or the female hormone. In order to treat this condition, most doctors first suggest non-surgical procedures such as exercise and diet for weight loss, and alternative medications.
But in case the non-surgical procedures did not solve the problem, plastic surgeons will most likely recommend gynecomastia surgery which involves incisions to remove the excess tissue and fats. If needed, liposuction is also performed to further improve the breast’s contour by eliminating the extra fatty tissues.
But as an invasive procedure, male breast reduction surgery involves certain risks particularly for men who have health conditions that may predispose them to delayed healing, infection, bleeding, unnecessary scarring, and other complications. For this reason, patients should meet these following requirements before they are considered as a good candidate for this surgery:
- They have realistic goals and expectations
- Well-rounded individuals
- Physically healthy with no serious illness
- Their breast development has stabilized
- They have passed their puberty stage (during this period, the hormonal imbalance may lead to overdeveloped breasts which will resolve on their own within several months)
- They are bothered by the appearance of their enlarged breasts
Because gynecomastia surgery often involves incisions, it is very important that the patients do not suffer from diabetes and other illnesses that inhibit the healing process and expose them to higher risk of infection and unnecessary scarring.
In most cases, the result of this cosmetic procedure can last a lifetime, although this may be affected or even completely reversed by a significant weight fluctuation. With this consideration, plastic surgeons recommend their patients to maintain their normal weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Also, doctors only perform this procedure on men who are within 25 to 30 percent of their recommended body weight.
Aside from being physically fit and having a normal body weight, it is also important that the patients are not smokers. But in case that they are, they should quit the bad habit well in advance of the surgery and during their recovery to prevent the risk of skin necrosis (or death of skin tissue that may lead to unnecessary scarring).
According to a previous study, patients who are smoking are 1,500 times more likely to develop skin necrosis after a surgery compared to non-smokers because the nicotine affects the circulatory system and inhibits the oxygen from reaching the wound.
September 25, 2011
breast augmentation, Breast Implants, Breast Reconstruction, breast surgery, Plastic Surgery
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Gummy bear breast implants are new devices for breast augmentation or reconstructive surgery. And compared to the currently available silicone and saline implants, they are said to provide a more natural result.
These are the most frequently asked questions about the new breast implants.
1. Question: Are gummy bear breast implants available in the US market?
Answer: No. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows patients to have these new devices as long as they will participate in a clinical trial, which means that they should choose a doctor who is part of this nationwide study.
2. Q: Can these implants provide a more natural result compared with the saline and silicone type?
A: Yes, because these are filled with a silicone more cohesive than the one used by the currently available silicone implants. And with this filling, the breasts will have a more natural feel and shape.
3. Q: What happens after the shell breaks?
A: Because the gummy bear breast implants use a very cohesive and firm silicone material, a leak is almost not a concern. In fact, the implants can be cut in half and no gel will leak out from the shell.
For this reason, some experts believe that these new devices for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction are at par with the saline implants in terms of safety.
Since the saline implants are only filled with a saltwater solution, a leak will not predispose the patients to any health risk (unlike in the currently available silicone implants), although their breasts will appear deflated within four hours after the shell ruptures.
4. Q: Can these new implants last longer than the saline and silicone type?
A: Because the gummy bear breast implants are not prone to rippling and folding, the shell is not subjected to a tension which may weaken it in the long run. For this reason, most experts believe that these new devices can last longer than the silicone and saline type.
5. Q: Are these implants already available for marketing in some countries?
A: Yes. In fact, some European countries have already used these implants since 1995. Meanwhile, Australia and Canada have also introduced these devices to the market just a few years ago.
6. Q: What is the most notable thing about these new breast implants?
A: According to studies released in Canada and Europe, capsular contracture (scar tissue forming around the implants) happens less frequently on patients with gummy bear breast implants.
September 25, 2011
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