Breast augmentation (or enlargement) aims at making the breasts larger and fuller for women with small breasts or those who have experienced a decrease in breast size or shape due to pregnancy or weight loss.

Breast augmentation (or enlargement) aims at making the breasts larger and fuller for women with small breasts or those who have experienced a decrease in breast size or shape due to pregnancy or weight loss.

Breast augmentation surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, along with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia depending on your health, the extent of the procedure and whether you are having other procedures at the same time.  

The surgery consists of making an incision, lifting the breast tissue, creating a pocket in the chest/breast area, and placing an envelope containing a soft, implant material underneath. The incision can be made in the crease below the breast, around the areola or under the armpit. The breast implants can be placed either under the chest muscle or directly under the breasts based on considerations like the anatomy of your breasts, soreness after surgery, exercise activities and interference with mammograms. 

Your breasts will be wrapped with gauze bandage as well as a tighter bandage for protection and support. You also may have drainage tubes coming out of the incision for several days, to help drain some of the excess fluid. 

The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keeping the head and torso elevated and applying cold compresses, or small ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a watertight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving the often-considerable swelling. 

After several days, the gauze dressing will be removed. You may be required to wear a support bra to help your breasts form and maintain a balanced shape. You may or may not be able to shower, depending on where your stitches are. 

You will probably be able to resume exercise and normal physical activities within a month or two, when the soreness has subsided. Recovery varies from patient to patient and depends upon the technique, type of breast implant, and site of placement that the doctor uses, as well as the level of activities in your daily routine. Ask your doctor for more specific information. 

The stitches will come out within a week to ten days, but swelling may continue, gradually subsiding over several weeks. With the swelling, your breasts may seem hard and unnatural, but eventually they should soften to a more natural feel.

A breast lift is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape breasts that have sagged as a result of pregnancy, nursing, and the natural force of gravity.

Breast lift surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, along with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia depending on your health, the extent of the procedure and whether you are having other procedures at the same time. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast.

The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position.

The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.

An elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings must be worn after surgery. The breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a several days, and the level of pain ranges from person to person.

The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keep yourself elevated to limit the amount of swelling. Applying cold compresses, or ice packs can reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving swelling.

Within a few days, a soft support bra will replace the bandages or surgical bra. This bra must be worn constantly for several weeks over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.

1.- Mastopexy patient shown before surgery with sagging breasts and low position of nipples.
2.- Incisions following the breast's natural contour define the area of excision and the new location for the nipple. Skin in the shaded area is removed and the nipple moved higher.
3.- Skin formerly located above and to the sides of the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
4.- The postoperative patient shown with scars resulting from a commonly performed mastopexy technique.

Breast reduction is a procedure in which excess tissue is removed to make the breast smaller and less heavy. Women who consider this procedure are those who suffer from back and neck pain, grooves in the shoulders from bra straps, pain in the breasts, and rashes that are caused by heavy breasts.

The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, either operated by your surgeon or a hospital facility, and takes 2 - 4 hours, but depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take longer. If you are having more than one procedure, overnight hospitalization may be required.