If you are considering cosmetic breast surgery, it’s important to understand the different types of breast surgeries that are available to you. Breast surgery can help improve cosmetic appearances and / or assist in the physical health of the patient.
Take a read through these different types of breast surgeries, to help you understand which option is most suitable for helping you achieve your goals.
Opting for cosmetic breast surgery should be a considered decision, this article should give you an indication of which surgeries may be most appropriate to you, but only a qualified breast surgeon can discuss individual cases with you during a consultation.
Breast Surgery – Augmentation / Enlargement
Breast augmentation is a surgery performed in order to enhance the size, shape and contour of a woman’s breasts. Some patients seek breast augmentation due to:
- Feeling unhappy with the size of their breasts.
- Feeling that their breasts have changed appearance due to ageing.
- Feeling that their breasts have changed appearance due to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Wanting to improve asymmetry in breast size and shape.
The surgery involves inserting a silicone implant under or over the chest muscle, wherever the surgeon deems most appropriate. The incision used for breast augmentation surgery is located either around the nipple (areola), under the breast or under the armpit.
Breast augmentation is generally a safe and straightforward procedure, although as with any surgery there are risks, and there may be complications during the surgery or post recovery.
Whatever the reason for wanting breast augmentation, it is entirely personal to the patient. A qualified surgeon will help you manage expectations and decide on the correct size of implant for your body’s proportions and breast augmentation goals.
Breast Surgery – Reduction / Uplift
Some women who have naturally large breasts may consider having breast reduction surgery. It can help reduce the size of the breasts, improve their shape and help patients literally feel like a weight has been lifted off their chests.
Reducing the size of the natural breast can help patients:
- Reduce neck pain
- Reduce back pain
- Improve mobility
- Improve posture
In addition to the physical benefits, some patients may also seek out breast reduction surgery in order to feel more attractive and comfortable with their breast’s appearance.
The surgery can be performed by using one of a number of incisions dependent on the extent of the breast reduction required. These incisions include alongside the areola with or without an extension to also include under the breast, the surgeon will then remove excess tissue fat and skin, before reshaping the breasts and lifting the nipple into a higher position.
As with any surgery, there may be risks associated with the procedure. Your surgeon will go into depth on the possible complications, but some possible side effects associated with the surgery may cause; a loss in breast sensation, inability to breastfeed, scarring and varying shapes and symmetry of the breasts.
Revisional Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Some patients have had previous breast surgeries that they may be unhappy with. A revisonal cosmetic breast surgery can help correct the cosmetic issues and / or health complications that were caused by the previous breast augmentation surgery.
Some of the things a revisional cosmetic breast surgery can help with include:
- Improving the appearance of old scarring.
- Removing or replacing old breast implants.
- Correcting the size or shape of existing implants.
- Removing ruptured implants and restoring the optimum cosmetic look
A qualified breast surgeon will help you manage your expectations for revisional breast surgery. They can explain the outcomes of the surgery and ensure that you are fully informed of what the procedure involves.
Breast cancer reconstruction surgery
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery is usually recommended as part of curative treatment stop the spread of the cancer and save the patient’s life. Whilst this is an absolutely necessary procedure, it can result in deformed breasts, or loss of breast mound that may have a negative impact on the patient’s life.
Breast cancer reconstruction surgery and oncoplastic surgery attempts to correct any breast deformities caused by a mastectomy or partial removal of the breast. Reconstruction can be achieved using implants, the patient’s own tissues or a combination of both. Oncoplastic procedures can be undertaken when part of the breast requires removing to ensure there is no defect after the procedure but also improve the cosmetic look of your affected breast.
If you have already had breast cancer surgery and are unhappy with how this has left your breast or lack of breast then oncoplastic or breast reconstructive procedures can still be done to improve the cosmetic look.
A surgeon will best advise on the options most suitable for the patient, taking into account their type and stage of cancer. It is a surgery that can help patients take back a piece of their life that cancer has taken.
Reasons for having a breast surgery
Reasons for a patient having breast surgery can vary from cosmetic, physical or a combination of both. It is an entirely personal decision and the decision to have one should only be influenced by the patient themselves and their consulting surgeon.
Discuss the different types of breast surgery with a qualified surgeon
A qualified surgeon will help explain the different types of breast surgery available to you and assist you in making an informed decision that will best meet your goals and expectations. As with all breast surgeries, there are complications involved.
It is important that you, as a patient, weigh up these risks and arrive at a well informed and confident decision when electing to have breast surgery. If you would like to discuss the range of breast surgeries further, you can get in contact with us here.