When a woman asks me about breast enhancement, I explain that it can be approached in a few different ways. For many women who desire fuller or more youthful breasts, implants are a good and long lasting choice that give instant and predictable results. It is not surprising that breast augmentation, or enlargement, with implants is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the United States with over 285,000 done in 2012.
For some women however, the breasts just need to be “lifted” with a procedure called mastopexy. This may be more appropriate for older women who lost breast volume after nursing or weight loss. By lifting the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest, they can look larger and the rest of the trunk appears more proportional. Along with a breast lift, for women with large or heavy breasts, some tissue can be removed at the same time to relieve symptoms such as back pain, commonly called a breast reduction. When the breasts are droopy and need more volume, a combined breast lift with implants can give dramatic results.
A newer option for breast enhancement is the use of natural fat tissue taken from the abdomen or thighs and carefully injected into the breast. In selected patients, the breasts can be sculpted while at the same time, fat is removed from problem areas. However, this technique is somewhat less predictable and an additional treatment may be needed.
As with all procedures, a proper evaluation by an experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon is a critical first step in achieving the desired result. At MAE Plastic Surgery, we offer our patients a comprehensive consultation which details the best options for each individual patient. Our combined experience of over 1000 breast procedures, together with the latest in Vectra 3D imaging technology offers you the confidence you need to make the best choice in breast enhancement.
