PLASTIC SURGERY: BREAST SERVICES

Shannon Plastic Surgery is proud to bring cutting-edge plastic surgery for breasts to the San Angelo area. Shannon offers a wide range of surgical options for breast reconstruction, reduction, implants, lifts, gynecomastia and more:

Breast Reconstruction

After undergoing a mastectomy or lumpectomy (partial mastectomy) to treat breast cancer, patients may want to restore form and function to their breasts for many different reasons. Breast reconstruction is a procedure for one or both breasts that can help breast cancer patients regain comfort and confidence in their body. Breast reconstruction surgery can be completed right after a mastectomy (immediate) or months or years later (delayed).

Different methods of surgery can create different results for patients, depending on their natural body shape, treatment plan, and goal for breast reconstruction.

Implant Reconstruction: With implant reconstruction, the surgeon uses saline or silicone implants to achieve the desired breast shape. Like other types of implants, breast implants require monitoring and maintenance over time.

These implants can be placed underneath the chest muscle, over the muscle, or after the extended use of a saline expander to gradually stretch the skin across the chest. Implant based reconstruction is the most common technique of breast reconstruction today and can add the minimal amount of additional time and recovery to a patient undergoing a mastectomy.

Recently, larger sizes of implants have now been safely designed for patients that specifically require a larger volume of breast restoration that wasn’t previously available.

Tissue (Autogenous) Reconstruction: With tissue reconstruction, the surgeon takes tissue from another part of the body and uses it to form the breast on the front of the body. This tissue may include fat, skin, and/or muscle from the lower abdomen or back. This technique of reconstruction may be combined with implant-based reconstruction or following partial mastectomy. Tissue reconstruction may be specifically recommended in patients with previous radiation of the breasts. Tissue reconstruction may require significant additional surgery time and recovery following a mastectomy.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) removes excess skin tissue in the breast to create a smaller, more proportionate bust line for patients with overly large breasts (macromastia). A breast reduction can help alleviate physical concerns caused by large breasts, like chronic pain in the neck, back and shoulder, nerve pain, chronic skin irritations under the breast, difficulty fitting into bras or clothing, or issues regarding physical activity. Patients who are planning to lose weight or become pregnant or breastfeed may not be immediate candidates for breast reduction.

Breast Augmentation

As of today, breast augmentation continues to be the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure requested. Breast augmentation refers to the placement of an implant to add or restore volume to the breasts and improve their overall shape. Also known as breast enhancement, augmentation mammoplasty, breast enlargement or breast implant surgery, this kind of surgery can increase breast size and shape using silicone- or saline-filled implants. Patients may also require a breast lift (mastopexy) in addition to a breast augmentation, depending on their unique anatomy.

Some of the latest techniques of breast augmentation include placement of the implants beneath the tissue lining the chest muscle (fascia) to provide a natural breast appearance, utilizing a “no touch” technique of the implant to prevent complications, and leaving only a small faint scar in the fold beneath the breast.

Breast implants can correct breast size related to weight loss, pregnancy, aging, visual asymmetries or deformities, or to rebuild breast shape in relation to other medical conditions. They are ideal for patients who have a target shape or size in mind, aren’t currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and are willing to commit to regular maintenance care of the implants over time.

Breast augmentation may be combined with other surgeries such as breast lift, liposuction, or tummy tuck to help achieve that desired body change all in one step.

Breast Implant Exchange

For most patients, breast implants require long-term maintenance and monitoring to avoid leaks or ruptures, firming (capsular contracture), or a loss of the desired look. A breast implant exchange works to adjust, remove or replace breast implants placed during a breast augmentation.

Breast Lift

Breast lifts (mastopexy) are designed to correct sagging breasts and nipples due to aging, weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding. The surgeon removes excess skin and tightens underlying tissue in the breast to “move” the nipple upward and create the appearance of perkier, more youthful breasts. Breast lifts are often combined with breast augmentation or implants to create the desired look. Patients who are breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant in the future should delay receiving a breast lift to see the best results.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia (often referred to as male breast reduction) is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat, tissue, and/or skin from the male breast using liposuction or excision. This can reduce discomfort and improve the appearance of breasts for male patients who experience enlarged breasts due to excess weight, medication, hormonal shifts or aging. Patients seeking gynecomastia surgery should be nonsmoking and not taking any blood-thinning medications.

Start Your Plastic Surgery Journey at Shannon Today!

For more information about plastic surgery options in San Angelo or to schedule a consultation, contact Shannon Plastic Surgery at (325) 747-2880.