Stephen
J Ronan MD
Upper
breast flattening and breast drooping
are expected consequences of childbearing
and aging. Some women find that their
breasts are too large and cause them problems
with neck pain, back pain, shoulder strap
grooving, etc. They also find that clothes
and braziers don’t fit properly.
For others, the volume of breast tissue
is deficient or appropriate but the breasts
themselves droop. If this sounds like
you, keep reading. There is a newer breast
procedure, with minimized incisions, that
offers correction of these problems.
This procedure, called
the ‘modern’ vertical mammaplasty,
lifts the breast, reduces the volume (if
necessary), and improves shape. If you
have back, neck and breast pain due to
large breasts, it will most likely disappear
after surgery. Another advantage of this
procedure over the traditional breast
lift or reduction is less scarring. Traditional
breast procedures have scars around the
areolus, vertically from the areolus the
fold underneath the breast, and horizontally
along the fold underneath the breast.
The ‘modern’ vertical mammaplasty
has a scar only around the areolus and
vertically from the areolus to the fold.
The horizontal scar in the fold is eliminated.
This is fortunate as the horizontal scar
is usually the worst of the three areas
of scarring.
The ‘modern’
vertical mammaplasty is based on different
concepts than the traditional breast lift
or reduction. Traditional breast surgery
changes the shape of the skin and adjusts
the breast tissue to fit into the new
envelope of skin. The result is much more
incision and a flatter, wider breast in
a tight skin envelope. The weakness of
this approach is that the skin stretches
and the drooping can recur. The newer
procedure first reshapes the breast tissue
into a narrower, projected, conical shape.
Next, the skin is adjusted to the new,
improved breast shape. The result is much
less incision and more beautiful shape.
In addition, the vertical mammaplasty
breast procedure holds up better over
time.
Breast reduction and
lift procedures are performed on an outpatient
basis. This means that you go home the
same day as the surgery. Most people can
return to work in about a week. Dissolving
sutures placed under the skin help make
the recovery period easier on you. Many
people combine their breast reduction
with other procedures such as a tummy
tuck, liposuction, or facial rejuvenation.
Some patients have lost enough breast
tissue (or never thought they had enough
in the first place!!) and combine augmentation
with a lift.
Explore the possibility
of sculpting a new you.
Dr. Ronan is
Board Certified by the American Board
of Plastic Surgery. His specialty is aesthetic
or cosmetic surgery. If you would like
to discuss this or any other aesthetic
procedure in detail, please call (925)
736-5757 for a complimentary consultation.
Or, email Dr. Ronan at ronan@blackhawkplasticsurgery.com.
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