El Paso Cosmetic Surgery – Breast Augmentation, Lift and Enhancement

• Breast Augmentation ( Breast Enhancement & Enlargement)
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction
• Breast Reconstruction

Breast Augmentation (Breast Enhancement & Enlargement)

In breast augmentation at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery in West Texas, an implant is utilized to give a fuller bust line, enhance breast size and shape, and present the more proportional appearance desired by many women. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures performed at our office in West Texas, and, in 2003, more than a quarter of a million women underwent breast augmentation surgery nationwide.

It is important to note that although breast enhancement will increase the size of the breast but will not change the shape. In some women, breast enlargement alone may not give an aesthetically satisfying result. In those instances, the operation may be combined with a mastopexy, or breast lift procedure, to obtain a more satisfying result. Women who are not happy with the size of their breasts are candidates for this operation.

Breast Enlargement Results

It is important for patients to make clear their breast enhancement expectations when they come in for a consultation at our West Texas office. During a breast augmentation consultation, breast size should be discussed with the physician, as should any other bothersome issues that relate to the breasts. Results are optimized when the patient and the surgeon have a good understanding each other's desires and goals.

Breast Enhancement Surgery

Breast enlargement is performed by placing the implant under the muscle or right under the breast tissue through various incisions: around the areola, in the breast crease, or in the armpit. Breast augmentation complications may include bleeding, infection or adverse reactions to the anesthesia. Patients may have some changes in the nipple or breast sensation but sensation usually returns within a month or two.

After surgery, the body forms a capsule around the implant, which is a natural healing process. However, this capsule sometimes tightens and compresses the implant, causing the breast to feel firmer than normal. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to re-operate on the patient to modify the implant, remove the scar tissue or perhaps remove the implant.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation

Surgery can be done in a hospital, a freestanding day surgery facility or an office-based surgical suite. Patients do not need to stay overnight; they can go home the same day.

Dr. Sozer usually will ask the patient to wear a special brassiere after the operation for 3 to 6 weeks.

The patient can go back to regular activities in a week to ten days, but vigorous activities such as sports and activities involving arm movement should be avoided for three to four weeks. The patient may go back to normal activities completely in about three months.

Recovery

Breast augmentation is usually performed on an outpatient basis, which allows patients to return home immediately following the operation. In the days following breast augmentation, breast enhancement patients will be asked to wear a special brassiere. This should be worn for three to six weeks.

Breast Augmentation & Cancer

While breast enhancement does not increase the risk of cancer, it does interfere with the ability of a mammogram to detect suspicious lesions. A mammogram done before surgery can be beneficial. Previous research has proven that the placement of the implant underneath the muscle interferes less with the mammogram.

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Breast Lift

Throughout their lives, women are exposed to multiple factors that can negatively impact their breast appearance. These include gravity, loss of skin elasticity from aging, weight gain and loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding. All of these will affect breast shape and firmness.

The solution is breast lift. Offered at our El Paso, Texas, cosmetic surgery practice, breast lift can reverse the effects of time, giving you the breasts you had when you were younger.

Breast Lift Candidates

Women who are happy with the size of their breasts but not their current breast shape are good candidates for breast lift. For patients who desire changes in both the shape and volume of their breasts, a breast lift procedure can be done at the same time as breast enhancement.

Breast Lift Scarring

Various breast lift techniques can be utilized depending on each patient's breast size and shape; Dr. Sozer will choose the technique most appropriate for the individual patient. Although each technique leaves a different kind of scar, the scars of a breast lift procedure usually depend on the shape and the amount of sagging. In mild cases, the incision can be just around the areola. In more advanced cases, the incision may be around the areola with a straight scar going down. In the most extreme cases, incisions will be made around the areola with a reverse T-shaped scar.

All of these details will be discussed with the patient at the time of consultation, as well as information regarding family history, medications used and other factors. Like breast augmentation, a mammogram before the surgery is beneficial.

Breast Lift Risks

Risks of breast lift may involve bleeding, infection, adverse reactions to anesthesia, or change or loss of the sensation of the nipples or other areas of the breast skin.

Patients can usually return to regular activities in a week, but they should avoid activities involving their arms, including most sports, for 4 to 6 weeks. Patients usually can go home the same day of the breast lift surgery, however, on occasion, we may ask you to stay overnight.

Breast Lift Results

If patients do not gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, the new breast shape should remain fairly consistent. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman's breast. For a period of years, if a woman gains weight or becomes dissatisfied with the appearance of the breast, it is possible to under go a second breast lift procedure

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Breast Reduction

Women with excessively large breasts that are too large in proportion to their body frame can greatly benefit from breast reduction. These women not only complain about their appearance but they also suffer from physical symptoms such as back pain and bra marks on the shoulders caused by this excessive weight. Breast reduction surgery can solve these problems and dramatically improve the appearance of the breast.

Breast Reduction Techniques

With multiple breast reduction techniques available, the plastic surgeon will choose the one that is best for the size and the shape of the individual patient's breasts. At the initial consultation, Dr. Sozer will evaluate the breasts, take measurements and photographs, and discuss the most appropriate technique, as well as factors such as medical history, medications used and any allergies. The physician will also provide information about the operation and subsequent scarring. Like most breast augmentations, a mammogram before the surgery is beneficial.

Breast Reduction Risks

Women who plan to breastfeed in the future should postpone this operation because breast reduction can interfere with breastfeeding. Some techniques may be able to preserve the ability to breastfeed, but it is not guaranteed. Other possible risks of the operation include infection, bleeding, problems with scar formation, and adverse reactions to the anesthesia. It is important to stop smoking at least two weeks before the surgery. Any non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, which may increase the bleeding, should be stopped as well.

Insurance

For some, insurance coverage may be available for breast reduction surgery. Many factors determine eligibility, including the type of insurance policy and the amount of tissue that needs to be removed during the surgery.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Most patients are be able to go home the same day as their surgery, but some may need to stay the night. After the surgery, you may be asked to wear a special brassiere for four to six weeks.

Patients are usually able to return to normal activities in a week, but should avoid rigorous exercises, especially those involving the arms, for at least four weeks. Usually, patients will be able to return to their sports activities in four to six weeks.

Results

For most patients, the results of breast reduction will last for a long time. However, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight, pregnancy, and breastfeeding may affect the shape of the breast and the breast reduction results. In these cases, the patient may choose to undergo a breast lift operation to restore the breast's shape.

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El Paso Cosmetic Surgery
1600 Medical Center Drive
Suite 400
El Paso, Texas 79902

Ph. 915·351·1116
Fax. 915·351·8790

Map and Directions

We have an association with Camino Real Hotel. The hotel offers special rates to our patients coming to El Paso for cosmetic surgery. Visit their website at www.caminoreal.com.

We also offer post-op care arrangements in your private setting along with your travel accommodations.