Breast Augmentation

    Breast enlargement is performed using numnerous techniques. There are hundreds of different implants on the market. Members of BAABS are completely familiar with the best and safest methods of breast augmentation. A detailed planning consultation is the foundation for a good and long lasting result. A biodimensional assessment is performed to accurately determine your dimensions. The breast augmentation should be to fit in proportion to your body and shape.

    Breast Reduction

    Breast reduction surgery takes longer than breast enlargement surgery and requires careful planning of incisions, volume removal, with particular attention to preserving the blood supply to the nipple areola complex. The operation contains several elements that improve the aesthetic appearance (such as a breast uplift and reduction in size of the areola complex where it is excessively large) of the breasts, and often helps to resolve the unwanted symptoms of macromastia.

    Mastopexy

    The medical term for breast sag is “ptosis.” A mastopexy lifts, firms and reshapes the breast without increasing the actual breast size or weight. A variety of operations are available and the techniques to which a patient is best suited depend predominantly on both the degree of breast sag (ptosis) and the breast volume. Short incision techniques are available. The best age for this type of procedure is following completion of your family.

    Breast tissue tends to sag with increasing age- why?

    • More common after child birth and breast feeding
    • Hormonal influences
    • Gravity
    • The internal breast ligaments (Cooper’s ligaments) stretch
    • The skin stretches

    What does a mastopexy actually involve?

    • Reshaping and lifting the breasts to produce a fuller, firmer bust
    • Reduction in the areola size if needed

    Understanding Breast Mastopexy

    How is breast sag measured?

    • It is measured by the relation of the nipple position to the fold under your breast (the infra-mammary fold)

    How is it graded?

    • There are three grades of increasing severity:
      • Grade 1: nipple level with the crease
      • Grade 2: nipple < 3cm below crease
      • Grade 3: nipple >3cm below crease

    Mastopexy Options

    Depending on the severity of breast sag, different techniques are used:

    • Implants- only suitable for filling out minor sag; breast lift of 1-2cm achieved with full projecting implants
    • Donut lift: scar around areola. Ok for minor sag only
    • Key hole lift: Combines the donut incision with removal of wedge of skin from between nipple and fold under breast
    • Wise pattern lift: For grade 2-3 sag. Anchor shaped scar (similar to the breast reduction incision)

    Is it Safe?

    Breast Mastopexy takes between 1-3hrs depending on which method is used.

    Complications are not common but as for breast reduction may include:

    • Minor delays in healing
    • With the key –hole lift it can take a while for the vertical scar to flatten
    • Very rare: the nipple blood supply can be compromised causing tissue loss

    Can it be combined with breast implants?

    • Yes, but there are additional risk if this is done at the time of the mastopexy
    • It is preferable to wait 12-months
    • If you are a smoker it is very important to completely abstain until properly healed.