Breast Augmentation
Dr. Garramone provides breast implants and augmentation consultations in his Fort Myers office which serves the Naples, FL area as well. There is perhaps no plastic surgery procedure more personal or that holds more promise for enhancing a woman’s self-image than breast augmentation such as breast implants, breast lifts or breast reductions. Breast augmentation procedures offer not only cosmetic benefits but health benefits as well.
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty allows women who are dissatisfied with their breast size to achieve a more personally pleasing dimension and shape. A breast augmentation is ideal for patients who want to restore breast size and fullness after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
Breast augmentation is consistently one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed nationally and one of the most common procedures performed in Fort Myers by Dr. Garramone. Patients having breast augmentation are consistently some of the most satisfied patients in his practice.
Breast Reduction
A breast reduction is related to a breast lift, but the focus of the procedure is different. The main objective of the breast reduction is to reduce the size or volume of the breast and reduce the amount of skin covering the breast. The scars left behind may be quite similar after these two different procedures. The procedures may be combined for the patient who desires a breast lift but would like to be a little smaller as well.
Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, can reduce the number of health-related complications that result from very large and heavy breasts, such as back and neck pain, as well as restricted lifestyles. A breast reduction may also be performed not for health issues, but to create more aesthetically pleasing breasts in proportion to the patient’s body. The key is the removal of excessive fatty tissue, breast tissue, and skin. This removal reduces the size of the breasts and makes them lighter and more youthful because the position of the nipple and areola lift as well.
A breast lift or breast reduction is normally performed as an outpatient procedure under sedation or, in some cases, under general anesthesia. Most patients usually return to their usual activities about a week or two after surgery, but should avoid strenuous sports and other activities for approximately three to four weeks.
Breast Lift
Known as mastopexy, a breast lift reshapes the breast and raises the position of the nipple. Breast lift eliminates sagging, which sometimes caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, or simply gravity and age. A breast lift is a reshaping procedure and does not imply any change in volume. In some cases, a patient may want a volume increase as well as a shape change, and a breast implant may be used to accomplish the desired aesthetic result. With this combined procedure, an implant may be used not necessarily to increase size alone, but to provide shape, projection and fullness in the upper part of the breast where fullness is lacking. Typically, an incision is made to allow the removal of excess skin, while leaving as much breast tissue as possible. The nipple and areola are then repositioned to a more aesthetically appealing position on the breast to form an uplifted contour.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction following the traumatic experience of breast removal (mastectomy) due to cancer or a similarly threatening disease is one of today’s most rewarding plastic surgery applications. There are multiple types of procedures that can be performed either immediately after a mastectomy or after a short period of time has passed. The timing and type of the reconstruction are determined best by taking into consideration the desires of the patient and the surgical judgment of a plastic surgeon and the surgeon performing the mastectomy.
The most common technique combines tissue expansion and the subsequent insertion of an implant. The expander is positioned under the skin and is gradually filled with a saline solution, which incrementally stretches the skin to create the necessary pocket to accept the implant.
An alternative approach, flap reconstruction, involves the creation of a skin flap taken from other parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen or buttocks. The flap is composed of skin, underlying tissue, and muscle, and provides the pocket for the implant.
Depending on the magnitude of the surgery, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for two to five days post surgery, and the recovery period can extend up to several weeks.