The breast is the most important external sign of a woman's femininity. Having a full and pert breast symbolizes youthfulness, yet some women prefer the more natural look with a degree of ptosis (droop). This explains why breast enlargement, also called breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty, is the commonest cosmetic surgical procedure in the World.
When considering breast enlargement, choosing the right surgeon is very important, a surgeon who can assess your individual build, requirements and personal desires. Together with an artistic eye, the surgeon should then be able to advise you on the specific shape and size of implant to suit you.
In addition to reducing the size and weight of the breast, this surgery also improves the shape and droop. For patients who suffer from various physical symptoms associated with having large breasts such as backache and neck pains, the relief following surgery is often immediate.
Breasts naturally droop with age, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and after weight loss. This is because the skin and fibrous ligaments in the breast become stretched so the breast tissue is not supported. It is not possible to recreate the fibrous support of the breasts, but they can be reshaped by removing extra skin, remodelling the breast tissue and moving the nipples up to the best position on the new breasts. A Breast Uplift can make the breasts firmer and higher.
Most women have naturally protruding nipples, but if either or both of your nipples are inverted, there is an operation that could help.
Inverted nipples usually develop during puberty and are the result of short milk ducts. If you have had an inverted nipple since puberty, there is unlikely to be an underlying medical problem. But if it has happened more recently you should see your GP straight away. There may be an underlying condition that needs treatment.
If you have previously had breast implants to enhance the size of your breasts, but you have now decided you don't want them anymore, they can be surgically removed. There may also be medical reasons why a breast augmentation needs to be reversed, or you might just want to change the size, shape or feel of your breasts. If so then new different sized implants can be inserted following removal of your original implants.
Gynecomastia (more commonly known as man-boobs) is a medical term meaning male breast enlargement. In the majority of cases, there is no known cause and, although rarely talked about, it is a common condition. For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can be helpful. The procedure removes tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases excess skin.
Most teenage boys experience some degree of breast enlargement affecting one or both breasts. However, by early adulthood less than 10% have a residual problem. This incidence rises with age, reaching approximately 30% (1 in 3) in older men.
The breast is made up of two main components, glandular tissue (firm and dense) and fatty tissue (soft). If there is predominantly a diffuse fatty enlargement of the breast, liposuction is the usual treatment. This involves sucking out the tissue through a small tube and the small component of glandular tissue can also be removed. If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of breast enlargement, it may need to be excised with a scalpel. This will leave a scar, usually around the nipple edge. This excision can be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. Major reductions that involve the removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require larger incisions that result in more obvious scars.
At your consultation, your surgeon will explore possible causes for the enlargement, assess the nature of the problem and decide with you the type of surgery you may need.