Breast Augmentation

We know that every woman is unique in both her desires and her own body shape. With this in mind, Dr. Harrison will take the time during your initial consultation to learn what you hope to gain from breast augmentation surgery. The majority of his patients state that they would like C sized breasts that look natural and not fake. Most want to avoid the upper pole ridging, which has a very unnatural shape and projection. After examining your breasts, Dr. Harrison will note any unique characteristics of your own breast shape, which may require modifying your plan in order to achieve a pleasing result. In addition, choices concerning placement of the implant above or below the chest wall muscle, the dimensions and size of the implant and the type of implant will be discussed at length.

 

In this manner each of our patients enjoy a completely customized treatment plan designed specifically with her goals in mind. If there is too much breast sagging additional procedures (breast lift) may be necessary in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. Other people may have developmental abnormalities referred to as a constricted or tuberous breast deformity. These deformities create challenges, which require more complicated surgical techniques in order to try and enhance the breasts volume and shape.

 

Saline & Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are very safe, and each offers its own advantages. Dr. Harrison will help you decide which kind is right for you. During surgery, Dr. Harrison will place the implants behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest wall muscle.

 

 

Breast Augmentation - Incision Techniques

The breast augmentation procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility.

 

These may be located:

• In the armpit (transaxillary)

• Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar)

• In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary).

 

The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted.

 

Breast Augmentation - Placement Options

Implant placement beneath the muscle of the chest offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue only. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Possible disadvantages include: elevated pain in the first few days following surgery and more risk of a dynamic deformity of your breast. Dr. Harrison will discuss which option may be best for you.

 

After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, then taped and bandaged.

 

Recovery

Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week.

 

Stitches are dissolvable so suture removal is unnecessary. Any post operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks.

 

Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.

 

Breast Lift - Mastopexy

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is performed to return youthful shape and lift to breasts that have sagged as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, loss of the skin's natural elasticity or simply the effects of gravity. The procedure can also reduce areolar size (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) and it can be combined with augmentation (breast implants) for added breast volume and firmness. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but results last longest when they are originally small and sagging.

 

Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery since pregnancy and nursing can counteract its effects by stretching the skin. Also, mastopexy may affect your ability to breast feed.

 

Breast Reduction

During your initial consultation with Dr. Harrison he will take measurements of your breasts and discuss with you based on his exam and the elasticity of your breast tissues which technique of breast reduction may be best for you.

 

During the procedure a surgical technique is used to move your nipple areola complex higher on your chest wall while excess gland, skin and fat is removed and the remaining soft tissues are brought together to create and reshape the breasts. Liposuction is often used to remove excess fat in the area near your armpit. Some patients with large breast, but without sagging may be candidates for "scar less" reduction mammoplasty. This can be done with very limited incisions underneath the breasts and using liposuction techniques to remove the excess fat from the breast itself. This determination will be made during your initial consultation with Dr. Harrison.

 

 

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure commonly performed after a mastectomy to offer patients psychological and aesthetic benefits when recovering from breast cancer.

 

For many women, breasts are an important symbol of femininity that helps define their self-confidence and body image. The emotional affects of an altered appearance can be as psychologically damaging as the initial cancer diagnosis. Breast reconstruction serves to restore a woman's body to its original condition after the treatment of breast cancer. Most of the aesthetic changes caused by breast cancer treatments such as a partial or simple mastectomy can be significantly helped by breast reconstruction. Dr. Harrison will listen to your goals and concerns before developing a plan best suited for your reconstructive options. He will discuss with you the relative advantages and disadvantages and our office will care for you and support you through this process.

 

 

Male Breast Reduction - Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia or "man boobs" is a very common problem for men, but rarely spoken about. It can affect just one breast or both breasts. The problem usually develops in the early teenage years, but in most cases it regresses. Unfortunately, some cases do not resolve themselves and can lead to a source of embarrassment and social isolation into adulthood. There are certain medical problems and medications that may cause Gynecomastia, but most patients have no known cause.

 

We most commonly perform this correction on later teenage boys, but Dr. Harrison has also done a gynecomastia correction on a patient that was 75 years old. He told Dr. Harrison he had been embarrassed about his breast shape for years but was more concerned with raising his family. Interestingly, what motivated him to seek correction at 75 years of age was that he did not want to miss out on the opportunity to swim with his grandchildren. Dr. Harrison individualizes the procedure depending on the patient's deformity. Sometimes volume can be removed from the breast with liposuction, minimizing the scarring and recovery. More often, Dr. Harrison uses a combination of liposuction and direct excision of breast tissue in order to shape more natural appearing breasts.