Placement of the implant below the pectoralis major muscle is the preferred approach, as this will significantly decrease the risk of capsular contracture (problematic scarring that infrequently occurs around implants).  The third decision to be made is: Saline or gel implants?  In the early 2000s, silicone (gel) implants were taken off the market by the FDA due to concern that there may have been a direct correlation between the use of gel implants and the occurrence of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.   The FDA subsequently completed a barrage of studies which definitively showed that there is no association between use of silicone implants and autoimmune diseases.  Gel implants then returned to the market and have been used safely for many years.  In general, a silicone implant will yield a superior result in terms of natural shape, feel and consistency.  In addition, gel implants are significantly less prone to visible surface rippling as compared to saline implants.  The fourth and final decision to be made is: Size?  Dr. Ford will help you to select an implant size which will appropriately match your body habitus and enhance your overall body harmony.  Other important considerations are the ability to undergo routine screening mammogram and to breast feed after breast augmentation.  The placement of breast implants will in no way reduce the ability of mammograms to detect suspicious lesions.  You can and should undergo routine screening mammograms at the recommended intervals after breast augmentation.  In addition, placement of permanent breast implants in no way precludes future breast feeding.   Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room as an outpatient procedure.



MASTOPEXY

Stages of ptosis or breast sag refers to nipple position relative to the inframammary fold.  Natural aging, weight loss and breast feeding contribute to the descent of the nipple on the breast mound.  In the most severe form of breast ptosis, the nipple actually resides at the most dependent portion (bottom) of the breast.  Depending on the degree of breast sag present, surgical correction may be achieved by various types of mastopexy.  Mild breast ptosis may be corrected with a “donut” type mastopexy, which involves an incision around the nipple-areolar complex and essentially elevates the nipple to a more youthful position on the breast mound.  Correction of moderate to severe breast ptosis requires traditional mastopexy, involving an incision along the inframammary fold, around the nipple-areolar complex and connecting the nipple-areolar complex to the inframammary fold.  Traditional mastopexy will not only elevate the nipple to a more youthful position, but will also redistribute the breast volume to a more natural and more youthful location--upwards.  Mastopexy is performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room as an outpatient procedure.

 

BREAST REDUCTION

Large, pendulous breasts may lead to emotional and physical symptoms, including chronic back, neck and shoulder pain.  Disproportionately large breasts (macromastia) may be surgically reduced and lifted, yielding a more aesthetically pleasing body harmony, while also eliminating emotional and physical symptoms.   Surgical breast reduction involves an incision around the nipple-areolar complex, along the inframammary fold and connecting the nipple-areolar complex to the inframammary fold.  Dr. Ford will carefully remove the correct amount of breast tissue to achieve the desired volume, shape and symmetry.  Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room as an outpatient procedure



BREAST RECONSTRUCTION 

After mastectomy, the breast(s) may be surgically reconstructed with a tissue expander/implant combination or with an autologous type of reconstruction, where tissue is taken from one area of the body (e.g., abdomen) and rotated into the breast defect.  The nipple-areolar complex is reconstructed with a local flap and tattooing.   Breast reconstruction may be performed in an immediate fashion (at the time of mastectomy) or in a delayed fashion (once the mastectomy scars have fully healed).  The process of breast reconstruction generally involves multiple operations over the course of one year or more and is complicated by the fact that some breast cancer patients may require chemotherapy and/or radiation.  All breast reconstruction procedures are performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room.  An inpatient stay may or may not be required depending on the procedure.



MALE BREAST REDUCTION (Gynecomastia Repair)

All males have breast tissue, but in much smaller amounts relative to females. The etymology of the word gynecomastia is from the Ancient Greek and literally means “woman’s breast.”  Gynecomastia occurs naturally in infants, puberty and old age. Most cases have no known cause and resolve spontaneously on their own. Persistent cases of gynecomastia may be surgically corrected with a male breast reduction.  Depending on the severity of the gynecomastia, excellent correction may be achieved with liposuction and/or surgical excision techniques.  Male breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room as an outpatient procedure.