Many of us take great pride in our physical appearance, being careful to eat right and exercise to achieve optimal health. Unfortunately, there are some aspects of our appearance that are beyond our control, and if you are unhappy with the contour of your breasts, you may be considering breast surgery as a possible solution. At Boulder Valley Plastic Surgery, our team specializes in cosmetic surgical procedures for the face, body, and breast, and we would love to speak with you about your desired outcome to determine if breast surgery is right for you. Contact us to schedule your consultation, and in the meantime, read on to learn more about the breast procedures performed by Dr. Swail and his staff.
Breast Procedures
There are a wide variety of surgical breast procedures and each one is designed to provide different benefits. The most common procedures include breast lift, augmentation, reduction, and reconstruction, as well as gynecomastia. Let’s review each of these in a little more detail.
Breast Lift
Over time, the skin that is responsible for supporting a woman’s breasts may begin to lose its elasticity. This can result in sagging breasts that point downwards. There are various factors that affect the skin’s elasticity, such as genetics, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss and/or gain, and gravity. A breast lift procedure, also known as mastopexy, aims to lift the breast tissue and restore a youthful shape and appearance. This is a highly common procedure, and many women are choosing to have mastopexy procedures over breast implants. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) estimates that the number of breast lift procedures completed since 2000 has increased by as much as 70 percent.
Breast Augmentation
Following significant weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, some women experience loss of volume in their breasts, reducing the rounded contour that many women prefer. During a breast augmentation procedure, breast size, shape, and symmetry can be adjusted with implants or fat transfer techniques. This type of breast surgery can be combined with other procedures, like breast lifts and reconstruction, and can provide patients with several benefits. Breast augmentation surgery can increase the fullness and projection of your breasts and it can balance out breast and hip contours. In addition to these physical benefits, many patients experience increased self-confidence after they receive a breast augmentation procedure.
Breast Reduction
While some women struggle with sagging breasts that have lost their volume over time, other women have concerns that lie on the other side of the spectrum. Breasts that are too large can cause neck and back problems, as well as self-image concerns. To correct these issues, a breast reduction procedure can be performed. This procedure is also known as a mammaplasty, and it is designed to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin to attain a more proportional breast contour. In addition to an enhanced appearance, patients also experience relief from their neck and back pain. Because skin is removed during a mammaplasty, patients should be aware of the likelihood of scarring following this procedure.
Breast Reconstruction
The size, shape, and symmetry of a woman’s breasts can also undergo changes following a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. In addition to these procedures, a woman may also be unhappy with her breast contour if she has some type of congenital deformity. Breast reconstruction surgery aims to restore the one or both breasts to a more natural appearance, and the surgery may involve one or more other procedures, such as a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation. During your breast reconstruction consultation with Dr. Swail, he will review your overall health to confirm you are a good candidate for the surgery. He will also review other factors to determine whether an implant-based procedure or flap reconstruction is best for you.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Although we have discussed breast surgery procedures for women thus far, it is important to understand that men also experience some of the same concerns with contour and symmetry. Gynecomastia is a condition in which a man’s breast tissue is enlarged or overdeveloped, and nearly 50 percent of men will experience this condition at some point in their life. This condition can impact one or both breasts and is often the result of hormonal fluctuations. Aside from hormonal changes, gynecomastia can also be caused by genetics, obesity, and the use of specific drugs. Gynecomastia surgery is designed to reduce overdeveloped tissue in order to restore a flat and masculine appearance to the chest.
Experienced Breast Surgery Doctor in Boulder
Are you ready to speak with an experienced plastic surgeon in Boulder to determine what type of breast surgery is right for you? With more than 20 years of experience and countless satisfied patients, Dr. Swail has the skill and training necessary to offer innovative, advanced procedures and techniques to produce optimal results with minimal recovery time. Browse our gallery of breast procedures to see before and after photos and then call us at 303-449-6666 to learn more.