BREAST SOLUTIONS
(COSMETIC BREAST SURGERY CLINIC)
International
Women’s Day stands for Women Empowerment and Equal Rights to the fairer gender.
But there are some who are more equal than others. Genetics, family lineage and
the vagaries of ageing create inequalities which cannot be acceptable to the 21st
century female.
Body image
is an important part of feeling good, desirable and normal. Social inhibitions,
taboos, ignorance and sheer helplessness are common denominators which hinder
women from consulting a Plastic Surgeon for breast problems.
Common
problems women face which they do not discuss, debate and/or deliberate:
1. Small Breasts (Underdeveloped)
2. Unequal Breasts (Asymmetrical)
3. Unusually Large Breasts (Gigantomastia)
4. Sagging Breasts (Breast Ptosis)
5. Breast lumps (Fibroadenomas, Breast Cancer)
6. Undeveloped Chest wall (Poland Syndrome)
7. Nipple and Areola Problems (Inverted,
Asymmetry in number, size, shape)
8. Repeated infections of the skin of
the breast and in between breasts.
9. Painful breasts (Mastalgia)
Not all
surgeries related to breast are for cancer operations and neither are they just
for cosmetic reasons alone. Frequently they are to improve their body image,
enhance their self esteem and to live life on their own terms. Sharing problems
is the first step in solving the problem. Consultation with our Plastic
Surgeon will assess your problems, address your concerns and advice you the
most probable outcome from various procedures that can be done to address your
problem.
Most Frequently
Asked Questions about Cosmetic Breast Surgery:
Q. Is Cosmetic Breast Surgery for me?
A. If you are troubled by any of the
mentioned problems then yes. We would advise you to discuss your goals and
expectations with our plastic surgeons. They will assess your problem, the
nature of your breasts and will address the probable outcome results from the
surgical procedure.
Q. Does Cosmetic Breast Surgery increase
the risk of Breast Cancer?
A. No. Numerous studies have proved that
even with silicone implants the risk of developing breast cancer is same as
that in the general population.
Q. What
is the correct age to undergo Cosmetic Breast Surgery?
A. Person of any age above 16 years can
undergo Cosmetic Breast Surgery as the growth of the breasts is complete after
puberty. After pregnancy we advise the patient to wait 6 (six) months of
finishing the breast feeding and in patients requiring reconstruction after
breast cancer surgery it can be done simultaneously with the cancer surgery or
after the patient has finished the recommended cycles of chemo- radiotherapy. The
best candidates for cosmetic breast surgery are women whose breasts are fully
developed and who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have
realistic expectations about the results.
Q. Will I be able to breast feed after
breast surgery?
A. You may still be able to breast feed to
a limited degree depending on the type of procedure you are receiving. There is
no way of determining if you will be able to breastfeed. Some women cannot
breastfeed regardless of whether or not they had surgery, while others may be
affected depending on their body and the extent of their procedure.
Q. What is Breast Augmentation/ Breast
Enhancement Surgery?
A. Breast augmentation is a surgical
procedure designed to enlarge the appearance of a woman’s breasts. This procedure
can help to make the breasts more proportionate to the rest of the body. It can
help to obtain symmetry between breasts which are different in size or shape,
and it can enlarge and reshape breasts which have lost their fullness or shape
due to weight loss, pregnancy, breast feeding, or age. Breast augmentation can
also be used for reconstructive purposes on patients who have undergone
mastectomy or on those with a congenital breast deformity.
Q. How long does operation for Breast
Enhancement take?
A. Surgery for breast augmentation usually
takes 2 to 3 hours and is done under general anaesthesia.
Q. How long will my recovery from surgery
take?
A. The amount of time it takes to recover is
different for each patient. However, most patients find that they can return to
work within a week of surgery. The breast area may feel tight at first as the
skin adjusts to the new breast size.
Q. Do I need to get my implants removed
after sometime?
A. The silicone implants used in Cosmetic
Breast Surgery Clinic at SPS Apollo Hospitals Ludhiana carry a lifetime
warranty against defects and are from companies approved by FDA. Even without
any implant defect, however, many women will need to replace their implants
around the 10 – 15 year mark because of changes in the body’s structure and its
interaction with the implant over time.
Q. Who is the best candidate for Breast
Reduction Surgery?
A. Breast reduction surgery (reduction
mammoplasty) is designed for women who want to reduce the size of their breasts
for medical and/or aesthetic reasons. If the patient has any of the following:
·
You
are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
·
Your
breasts limit your physical activity & your ability to lead an active life.
·
You
experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
·
You
have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
·
You
have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
·
Your
breasts hang low and have stretched skin
·
Your
nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
·
You
have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin
·
You
have emotional discomfort and are self-consciousness
Q. How is Breast Reduction surgery helpful?
A. Breast reduction surgery removes fat,
glandular tissue and skin from the breasts making them firmer, smaller and
tighter. Breast reduction surgery can also reduce the size of the areola (the
darker skin around the nipple). The goal of this surgery is to provide women with
smaller, better-shaped breasts that are more in proportion with the rest of
their bodies.
Q. What are the benefits of breast
reduction surgery?
A. Aside
from relieving back and neck pain, skeletal problems, breathing issues and
improving self-confidence, your clothes will fit you better, you can be more
active, and you feel better about yourself, which will affect many aspects of
your life.
Q. Can cosmetic breast surgery correct unequal
breasts (asymmetry)?
A. It
can if you are happy with the size and shape of your breasts, or we can enlarge
the smaller breast or reduce the size of the larger breast to create symmetry.
Q. How long will it take for me to return to
my normal activities such as driving, lifting, sex, returning to work, and
exercise after cosmetic breast surgery?
A. You may be up and around a day or two
following the surgery, but your breasts may still ache for a couple of weeks.
You should avoid lifting or pushing or pulling of any kind for at least four
weeks.
Q. Will I also undergo similar surgery as my
friend?
A. Although you may think that cosmetic breast
surgery is the same for everyone, it is not true. No two women ever present
with exactly the same combination of breast size, shape, nipple size and shape,
body proportions, and numerous additional contributing factors. Additionally,
our comfort levels regarding size and shape, and our sense of body, all need to
be taken into account. That is why we each need a detailed consultation and
assessment before definite plans and options can be set out. Information that
you glean from others, from reading such as this on the internet are general in
nature, and always need to be refined so as to reflect your unique physique.
Q. Will I have scars?
A. We at Cosmetic Breast Clinic aim to place
our surgical incisions in skin creases where the scars don’t show nor can they
be made out at a casual glance. Breast reduction and breast lift surgery scars cross
the lower breast surface hence are visible. Incision lines will be permanently visible,
but they will fade over time and are easily concealed by clothing, even most
swimsuits and tops with low-cut necklines. In these cases the benefits outweigh
the fine line scar over the lower pole of the breasts.
Q. How long will it take for me to see the
desired result? Will they look unnatural until then?
A. The results are visible immediate post
operatively. The skin and soft tissues take 2- 3 months to settle down.
Q. Will I lose sensation in my nipples?
A. Depending on the type of Cosmetic
Breast Surgery, you may experience numbness in your nipples and changes to
nipple sensation for sometime.
Q. Is a breast lift right for me?
A. Breast lift surgery is a highly
individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to full-fill
someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. A breast lift
is a good option for you if:
•
You
are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
•
You
don't 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
Q. How long do the results of a breast lift
last?
A. The
results of a breast lift vary depending on each individual patient. Many can
enjoy firm, youthful breasts for several years, but certain factors, such as
aging, smoking, weight loss, pregnancy and gravity, can cause the tissues to
weaken and the breasts to sag again.
Q. Can I undergo more than one breast lift
procedure?
A. Yes.
While a breast lift provides an effective lifting and firming of the breasts
that may last for several years, they are sometimes unable to withstand the
constant effects of gravity and aging. The breasts may gradually sag again, at
which time you may choose to undergo another breast lift.
Q. What are the risks in Cosmetic Breast
Surgery?
A. The risks 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, pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
•
Allergies
to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or
injected agents
•
Breast
asymmetry
•
Excessive
firmness of the breast
•
Potential
partial or total loss of nipple or areola
•
Pain,
which may persist
•
Possibility
of revision surgery
Q. Can pregnancy change the results of the
surgery?
A. Cosmetic Breast surgery should ideally
be carried out after the lady has completed her family. Changes that occur in
the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvements of
surgery. Likewise, plans for significant weight loss should also be discussed
with the plastic surgeon. The key is to: Maintain your weight & Keep a
healthy lifestyle.
Q. Can anyone know about my consultations
and/or my treatment details?
A. Your privacy is our priority. S.P.S.
Apollo Hospitals maintains a professional privacy policy not allowing anyone
other than the patient or their legal council to look into the records.
BEGIN YOUR TRANSFORMATION TODAY!
DR. ASHISH GUPTA
Consultant & Head
Dept. of
Plastic & Microvascular Surgery
SPS APOLLO HOSPITALS LUDHIANA
