Thailand Plastic Surgeon in Bangkok Hospitals » Breast

Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Tawisak — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:05:04 +0000

What is a Breast Lift? Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

Surgery Length: 1 – 3 Hours
Anesthesia: Intravenous Sedation or General Anesthesia
Hospital Stay: —
Stay in Thailand: —
Recovery: Initial swelling 1-2 days, completely subsides in 2 – 4 weeks
Procedure Cost: —

What a Breast Lift Can Do

A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.
A breast lift can correct loss of skin elasticity resulting from:

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Weight fluctuations
Aging
Gravity
Heredity

What it won’t do: Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller or smaller, you might want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.

Best Candidates for A Breast Lift

Ideal breast lift candidates are women who are seeking a remedy for drooping breasts. It is important to have realistic expectations about the results of mastopexy surgery. Although a breast lift can be performed on any size breasts, women with smaller breasts seem to attain the most benefits from mastopexy.

Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery include:

Women over the age of 18.
Women who have drooping breasts (breasts with stretched skin and less volume than in the past).
Women in good physically healthy and emotionally stable.
Women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding (and does not plan to get pregnant).
Women who do not not have plans to loose excessive amounts of weight.

Is Breast Lift Surgery Right for Me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Undergoing breast lift surgery maybe a good option if:

You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
You do not smoke
You have realistic expectations
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
Your nipples and areolas point downward
You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
One breast is lower than the other

Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery

The success and safety of your breast lift procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
The use of anesthesia during your breast lift
Post-operative care and follow-up

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient / ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

If your breast lift is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Breast Lift Surgery Overview

Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

The Incision

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

Breast size and shape
The size and position of your areolas
The degree of breast sagging
Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are three common incision patterns:

Around the areola
Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

Reshaping Your Breasts

After your doctor makes the incisions:

The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Closing The Incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Breast Lift Surgery Results

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.

The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. These results will be long-lasting, however over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. But, you’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

Maintain your weight
Keep a healthy lifestyle

Special note: While a breast lift does not usually affect breast function, if you are planning to become pregnant, discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides. Likewise, plans for significant weight loss should also be discussed.

Will There be Scars?

Scarring is permanent and will be noticeable for the first few months, however the scars will continue to fade for several months after.

Breast Lift Surgery Recovery

After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.
A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?

When You Return Home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Possible Risks of Breast Lift Surgery

The decision to have breast lift surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Possible risks of breast lift surgery include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
Anesthesia risks
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
Breast asymmetry
Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation
Excessive firmness of the breast
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Blood clots
Pain, which may persist
Possibility of revisional surgery

You should know that:

Breast lift surgery can interfere with diagnostic procedures
Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
Breast lift surgery does not normally interfere with pregnancy, but if you are planning to have a baby, your breast skin may stretch and offset the results of mastopexy and you may have more difficulty breastfeeding after this operation

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Note: It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your breast lift surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Breast Lift Terms and Definitions

Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
Breast augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast enlargement by surgery.
Breast lift: Also known as mastopexy; surgery to lift the breasts.
Breast reduction: Also known as reduction mammaplasty, reduction of breast size by surgery.
Excision: To remove the skin.

General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Mammogram: An x-ray image of the breast.

Mastopexy: Surgery to lift the breasts.

Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

Breast Reduction Surgery For Men

Dr. Tawisak — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:25:07 +0000

What is breast reduction for men? Also known as gynecomastia, breast reduction for men is the surgical correction of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men.

Gynecomastia, a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men, is common in men of any age. It can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity conditions, disease or the use of certain drugs.

Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.

What is Gynecomastia Surgery?

Gynecomastia Surgery is a procedure to reduce enlarged breasts in men normally associated with Gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is characterized by:

Excess localized fat
Excess glandular tissue development
A combination of both excess fat and glandular tissue
Gynecomastia may be present unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)

Surgery Length: 2 – 4 Hours
Anesthesia: Intravenous Sedation or General Anesthesia
Hospital Stay: 2-3 nights
Stay in Thailand: —
Recovery: 4-6 weeks for swelling to completely heal.
Procedure Cost: —

Best Candidates for a Breast Reduction Surgery For Men

Ideal candidates for gynecomastia surgery include:

Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
Non-smokers and non-drug users
Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right for Me?

Gynecomastia surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

This procedure is a good option for you if:

You are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
You have realistic expectations
Your breast development has stabilized
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large

Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery

The success and safety of your gynecomastia procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
Post-operative care and follow-up

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast reduction surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient/ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

If your gynecomastia surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Gynecomastia Surgery Overview

Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty, and reduces breast size, flattening and enhancing the chest contours.

In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.

Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Liposuction

In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used.

This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.

There are various liposuction techniques that may be used; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.

Excision

Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia.

Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced, or the nipple repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.

Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision.

Gynecomatisa Results

The final results of breast reduction in men are permanent in many cases.

However, if gynecomastia resulted from the use of certain prescription medications, drugs including steroids or weight gain you must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain your results. Please discuss this with your physician before making changes to your prescription medications.

Will There be Scars?

Any surgical treatment to correct gynecomastia will require incisions. While most incision lines are concealed within natural contours, some may be visible and are a necessary result of breast reduction surgery.

The scars that remain after the incisions heal depend on the technique used. Generally, there are two scar types. The first is a vertical scar which starts under the nipple/areola region and continues down to the base of the breast. In addition, there also is a scar running around the edge of the areola. The second type is the anchor shaped scar. Like the first type, this version also has a vertical line from the nipple/areola to the base of the breast as well as a scar around the edge of the areola. However, with this second design, there is also a scar in the fold under the breast, often running along the full width of the breast.

All scars are permanent, even though some scars may be concealed in the natural contours of the breast. Your improved upper body will likely enhance your self-image and confidence, whether in a shirt and tie, a t-shirt, or baring your chest at the beach.

Gynecomatisa Recovery

After surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?

Remember, it’s very important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

When You Return Home

To perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts
To treat any complications that may occur

Possible Risks of Gynecomatisa Surgery

The decision to have gynecomastia surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Possible risks of gynecomastia surgery include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Blood clots
Infection
Poor wound healing
Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
If liposuction is used, additional risks include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, irregular pigmentation, excessive fluid loss or fluid accumulation
Anesthesia risks
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
Breast asymmetry
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Pain, which may persist
Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Note: It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your breast reduction procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Breast Reduction Surgery For Men Procedure Terms and Definitions

Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
Bilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men affecting both breasts.
Endocrine system: A group of glands that make hormones which help to control activities in your body such as reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. Testing of your endocrine system may be done to look for signs of diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity.
Excision: To remove the skin.
General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.
Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Reduction mammaplasty: The surgical removal of breast tissue to reduce the size of breasts.
Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
Unilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men affecting just one breast.

Body Lift Surgery

Dr. Tawisak — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:37:31 +0000

What is body lift surgery? A body lift improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging fat and skin are removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity.

There are generally three types of body lift surgeries – the lower body lift, or beltlipectomy; upper body lift or torsoplasty; and full/total body lift, a combination of the two.

What is a Lower Body Lift?

A lower body lift, or belt lipectomy, is a procedure performed to contour the thighs, hips, buttocks. The procedure can also help to treat cellulite. Many patients choose to combine lower body lift surgery with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or a mid body lift.

What is an Upper Body Lift?

An upper body lift, or torsoplasty procedure is performed to remove fat and surplus skin from the arms, breasts and abdomen. In an upper body lift, the arms are treated with an arm lift and the breasts are contoured with a breast lift. These two surgeries can be performed separately or during a mid or lower body lift.

Body lift procedures can be performed to:

Reduce excess sagging skin that droops downward
Tighten and smooth the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm
Reduce localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region

Surgery Length: —
Anesthesia: Intravenous Sedation or General Anesthesia
Hospital Stay: 2-3 nights
Stay in Thailand: —
Recovery: 4-6 weeks
Procedure Cost: —

What a Body Lift Can Do

The body lift procedure is used to remove excess or sagging skin, and recontour more youthful looking curves.

Lower-body lifts can be used to reshape:

Buttocks, that may be low, flat or shaped unevenly
Groin that may sag into the inner thigh
Thigh, including the inner, outer, or posterior thigh, or circumferentially

Upper body lifts can be used to reshape:

Upper/under arms with excess skin
Breast that have sagged after childbirth or weight loss
Abdomin with excess or saggy skin

What it won’t do – Body lift procedures do not focus on the removal of fat, for this you should consider liposuction. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and body lift techniques may be recommended.

Best Candidates for a Body Lift

The best candidate for a body lift should a non-smoking adult who had maintained a stable weight for a minimum of three months – preferably six months to a year. They should be participating in a healthy exercise and dietary program.

Candidates who have had previous gastric bypass or lap-band procedures should wait at least one year after weight loss surgery so that the common health problems associated with obesity have had time to improve.

Ideal candidates for body lift surgery include:

Individuals with significant soft tissue looseness in one or multiple body areas
Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
Non-smokers
Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body lift surgery can accomplish
Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness

Is a Body Lift Right for Me?

If you desire a firmer, more youthful-looking body contour, then a surgical body lift may help achieve your goals. It improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin.

Before you decide to undergo body lift surgery, your weight must be relatively stable. Women considering future pregnancies should postpone an abdominal body lift since pregnancy may diminish the results.

Preparing for a Body Lift

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
The use of anesthesia during your body contouring surgery
Post-operative care and follow-up

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Body lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

Note: If your body lift is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Body Lift Surgery Overview

Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

The Incision

Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and surgical judgment.

A complete lower body lift treats the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs in one procedure. A circumferential incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat and repositions and tightens tissues. An upper body lift will treat the upper arms, breast and possibly the abdominal areas.

A combination of liposuction and surgical body lifts may be necessary to achieve an improved contour. Deep support sutures within underlying tissues help to form the newly shaped contours.

Closing the Incisions

Sutures, skin adhesives or tapes close the skin incisions. If necessary, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Body Lift Results

The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately. It may take as long as one to two years for the final results to fully develop.

Body Lift Recovery

Body lift is a major surgical procedure and requires significant recovery time. Most patients remain in the hospital for one to three nights.

Pain and discomfort are first managed with intravenous or intramuscular medications, and later with oral pain medication. A specific dietary plan may be encouraged.

Your post-surgery activities will likely be restricted until you have adequately recovered. This could include no exercise and no lifting of five pounds or more. Walking is encouraged after surgery; however, further exercise is not recommended until sufficient healing has occurred.

Most people require four to six weeks’ recovery before returning to normal activities, and generally from six to eight weeks before exercising. There cannot be any pressure placed on the treated area.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?

When You Return Home

Possible Risks of Body Lift Surgery

The decision to have a body lift is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Possible risks of body lift surgery include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Fluid accumulation
Poor wound healing
Skin loss
Blood clots
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Anesthesia risks
Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Major wound separation
Asymmetry
Recurrent looseness of skin
Pain, which may persist
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Persistent swelling in the legs
Possibility of revisional surgery
Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Note: It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your body lift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Body Lift Procedure Terms and Definitions

Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.
Belt Lipectomy: Collective medical term for a lower-body lift.
Circumferential incision: A surgical incision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skin and fat and additional incisions that may resemble a bikini bottom pattern.
Circumferential thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh.
General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.

Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.

Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.
Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Lower body lift: Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs.
Macerated skin: Excess skin that hangs and becomes wet or infected underneath.
Medial thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.
Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Dr. Tawisak — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:32:20 +0000

What is breast augmentation? Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation surgery involves using breast implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts (breast enlargement) or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy (breast enhancement).

Surgery Length: 1 Hour
Anesthesia: General Anesthesia
Hospital Stay: 2 Nights
Stay in Thailand: 7 Nights
Recovery: 2 Weeks
Procedure Cost: 100,000 THB

Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation

The best candidates for breast enlargement are women who are emotionally well-adjusted and who have a thorough understanding of the procedure. They are in good health, have a history of physical activity, and eat a healthy diet.

Breast surgery is a good choice to enhance your figure, but not to completely change it. Understanding the procedure will help you form realistic expectations. Please continue reading the articles listed below to learn more.

Reasons for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery can enhance size and shape, correct imbalances, improve firmness, and restore the body contour for these patients.

Women seek breast surgery for a number of reasons:

Being genetically disposed to smaller breasts.
Being genetically disposed to breasts that are not symmetrical, with one breast having a different size or shape than the other.
Breast cancer patients often seek breast reconstruction surgery because a breast is partially or totally removed as part of the cancer treatment.
Reduced firmness from aging.
Drooping or sagging breasts after child bearing and breast feeding (this condition requires two procedures: breast lift and breast augmentation).

What Breast Augmentation Can Do

If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, breast augmentation surgery (either breast enhancement or breast enlargement) is a choice to consider.

Breast augmentation can:

Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
Improve the balance of your figure
Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, the procedure involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

Implants also may be used to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy or injury.

Many patients find it helpful to review breast augmentation before and after photos.

Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation. Your plastic surgeon will assist you in making this decision.

What breast augmentation will not do - Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging, a breast lift may be required in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Is Breast Augmentation Right For Me?

Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Pictures of breast augmentation procedures performed by ASPS Member Surgeons may help you in the decision-making process.

Breast augmentation may be a good option for you if:

You are physically healthy
You have realistic expectations
Your breasts are fully developed
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
Your breasts vary in size or shape
One or both breasts failed to develop normally

Preparing for Breast Augmentation

After researching the basics about breast enhancement or breast enlargement, many patients want to know what to expect before breast augmentation surgery.

Prior to breast surgery, your ASPS Member Surgeon may ask you to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
Stop smoking well in advance of your breast augmentation surgery
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
Post-operative care and follow-up
Breast implant registry documents (when necessary)

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast augmentation surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or a hospital.

Note: If your breast augmentation is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery. However this is usually performed under general anesthesia which will require hospital admission. Nursing staff will be available 24 hours with translation assistance. Family members are welcomed to share the patient’s room or stay at one of our hotel rooms located in the hospital.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Overview

Cosmetic breast surgery gives you a lot of individualized options for changing the size and shape of your breasts. Surgical methods and breast-implant technology have improved dramatically in recent years: breast augmentation is less invasive, with more options and better post-surgical results.

Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during breast augmentation surgery. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will recommend the best choice for you after your medical check-up and consultation.

The Incision

Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome.

Incision options include:

Inframammary incision
Transaxillary incision
Periareolar incision

Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference.

Breast Implant Type: Silicone breast implants or saline breast implants

Breast size and shape are important, so be honest and open about your expectations during your consultation.

Implant type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more importantly on your breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type.

Options for Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline breast implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.

Silicone breast implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket.

A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. If you choose these implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.

Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, so there may be additional options available.

Currently Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older.
Currently Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 22 years of age and older.

Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.

Inserting and Placement of the Breast Implant

After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:

Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement)
Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)

The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Closing the Incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.

Breast Augmentation Results

The results of breast augmentation surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller breasts.

The results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting. You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing and swim wear. Like many women who have had breast augmentation, you may also have a boost in self confidence.

Implants may need to be replaced or revised in the future.

It’s important to know that after receiving breast implants, results are not permanent and they may require replacement during your lifetime. You should expect to have future visits with your plastic surgeon to discuss changes in your breasts.

Over time, your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift or implant exchange to restore a more youthful contour.

Continue to follow your after care instructions to ensure the best results for breast enlargement or breast enhancement, and attend follow-up visits if possible or visit a local surgeon for check-ups.

Recovery After Breast Augmentation

Many patients have questions about breast augmentation and recovery.

Although many factors are involved with determining your actual recovery time for breast augmentation, you will likely experience a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.

Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following breast augmentation surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

During your consultation and prior to your surgery the following topics will be discussed:

Where you will be taken after your surgery is complete
Medication you will be given or prescribed after surgery
Information about dressings/bandages after surgery
Information about your stitches and removal
When you can resume normal activity and exercise
Follow-up care and schedule

When You Return Home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur after breast augmentation, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

Breast Augmentation Post Operative Care

Because breast tissue is stretched and separated, and because implants are inserted through incisions, the breasts will be bruised, sore, and swollen after surgery. You can expect to wear a surgical bra for several days. There may be some moderate pain, but that can be treated by a prescription from your plastic surgeon. Your doctor may suggest that you wear an athletic or support bra until the swelling has subsided.

Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure. You can typically return to work within a week and to full activity within a few weeks. Sensation in your nipples may be reduced temporarily, but should return to normal as your breasts heal. Breast feeding usually is not hindered; however, it is important to ask the doctor about breast feeding during your initial consultation.

After healing, some permanent scarring will remain. Scars are typically small and inconspicuous. Your surgeon’s goal will be to make them as unnoticeable as possible. Inframammary and periareolar incision scars are on the breast. Transaxillary or TUBA incisions can be placed in a natural fold in the skin under the armpit, virtually unnoticeable after surgery.

Possible Breast Augmentation Risks

The decision to have breast augmentation surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast implant safety and potential complications are acceptable.

Risks and Complications of Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation Include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, may be temporary or permanent
Capsular contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant
Implant leakage or rupture
Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
Anesthesia risks
Fluid accumulation
Blood clots
Pain, which may persist
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Possibility of revisional surgery

Although there potentially may be complications with breast implants, they do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast implants and autoimmune or other systemic diseases.

Other Important Considerations:

Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.
Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime.

Breast Augmentation Terms and Definition

Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
Augmentation mammaplasty: Breast enlargement or breast enhancement by surgery.
Breast Augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty; breast enlargement or breast enhancement by surgery.
Breast Implants: Medical devices placed in your body to enhance an existing breast size or to reconstruct your breast. Breast implants fall into two categories: saline breast implants and silicone breast implants.
Capsular contracture: A complication of breast implant surgery which occurs when scar tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant and becomes firm.
General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Inframammary incision: An incision made in the fold under the breast.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Mammogram: An x-ray image of the breast.
Mastectomy: The removal of breast tissue, typically to rid the body of cancer.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; a painless test to view tissue similar to an x-ray.
Periareolar incision: An incision made at the edge of the areola.
Saline implants: Breast implants filled with salt water.
Silicone implants: Breast implants filled with an elastic gel.
Submammary or subglandular placement: Breast implants placed directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle.
Submuscular or subpectoral placement: Breast implants placed under the pectoral muscle, which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall.
Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the underarm area.
Ultrasound: A diagnostic procedure that projects high frequency sound waves into the body and records the echoes as pictures.

Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions