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Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, or breast enlargement, is a popular procedure at our San Jose area institute. In this procedure, a woman’s breast size is increased with the use of an artificial implant. There are a variety of reasons women opt to undergo breast augmentation, including different size breasts, as a method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, or to enhance the contours of the body. Whatever your specific intention, women who undergo breast augmentation can expect larger, firmer, and more visually satisfying
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Before breast augmentation surgery, you and your San Jose area surgeon will discuss the various options available for the implants. One of those options is the incision site, which can be located either in the crease of the breast, the armpit, or the perimeter of the areola, and which will be decided based on your body type and the specific effect you desire. For more information on the choices you have regarding incision site, type of implant, and placement of the implant, visit our breast implants page. The surgeon will enter through the incision and create a pocket; either underneath the breast tissue or under the chest wall muscle. The implant is centered directly behind the nipple, and the original incision is sutured.
After Breast Augmentation Surgery
After breast augmentation surgery is complete, the breasts are wrapped and supported by a gauze bandage. In addition, patients are fitted with a surgical bra that provides support for up to several weeks. Medication can greatly reduce certain postoperative conditions, including fatigue, soreness, and discomfort. Any swelling you experience gradually subsides and becomes undetectable in a month's time. Seven to 10 days after your breast augmentation, the stitches are removed at our San Jose area facility.
Health Concerns
As with any surgical procedure, complications with breast augmentation are rare, but do exist. The biggest concern is a leak in the surgical implant. However, when performing breast augmentation at our San Jose facility, we use only saline implants, so you can be assured that a leak would involve only a saline water solution, and not pose any danger. Capsular contraction, which is a tightening of the scar or capsule surrounding the implant, may occur following a breast augmentation procedure. If this happens, the surgeon either removes the scar tissue, or removes the implant and re-inserts another. Other complications with breast augmentation may include excessive bleeding or infection in the surrounding area, hyper- or under sensitive nipples, and in rare instances, milk production for several days after the surgery. Scars may be apparent for several months, but will fade considerably over time. To maximize the success of your breast augmentation and to minimize the risk of complication, our San Jose area doctors will give you specific instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.
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Breast Lift
If you are dissatisfied with the shape and perkiness of your breasts, a breast lift, or mastopexy, could give you the results you desire. A breast lift reshapes the breasts into a firmer, more shapely and youthful appearance. Breast lift procedures are very popular with our San Jose and Palo Alto area patients. Whether your breasts have lost their shape and firmness, or you’ve worked hard to take off some extra weight, you want to show off your figure, rather than let it hide behind sagging skin. Breast lift surgery at our Palo Alto and San Jose area facility allow you to reveal a firmer, more youthful body.
Breast Lift Surgery
In the most common breast lift procedure performed here at our San Jose area facility, the surgeon makes an anchor shaped incision along the natural contour of the breast. Working through this incision, the surgeon sculpts the excess skin and tissue and repositions the nipple to give the breast a new and youthful appearance. To finish the firming and shaping, the skin is pulled snugly around the new nipple and the surgeon stitches the incisions. Breast lift surgery can be performed using either a local or general anesthesia and is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Alternative Procedures
A "doughnut mastopexy" is another option. Our breast lift patients in Palo Alto and San Jose benefit from this procedure because it requires less tissue removal and involves a much quicker recovery time. In a doughnut mastopexy, the surgeon makes circular incisions around the areola, and an area of skin, resembling a doughnut shape, is removed.
After Breast Lift Surgery
Once your breast lift surgery is complete, the incisions are covered in gauze and the breasts are bound with an elastic bandage. After a few days, the bandage is replaced with a snug surgical bra. Patients may experience some bruising and swelling, although medication eases much of this discomfort. Within one to two weeks, breast lift patients will have returned to our San Jose area office for stitch removal and can return to work quickly.
Health Concerns
As with most cosmetic surgery, breast lift complications are rare, but include excessive bleeding, infections, and a reaction to the anesthesia. For best results, your surgeon will recommend that you cease smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Other concerns include unevenly positioned nipples and a temporary or permanent loss of feeling in your breasts. To maximize the success of your breast lift surgery and to minimize the risk of complication, our San Jose area doctor will give you specific instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.
If you are interested in breast lift surgery and reside in the San Jose, Los Gatos, or Palo Alto, California area, please use our contact us page to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sutkin.
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Breast Reduction
If you are experiencing pain or medical problems due to uncomfortable breasts, you should consider breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, with Dr. Howard Sutkin. When your breasts cause you back and neck pain, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, or skeletal deformities, breast reduction can give you the relief you need to live a full life. In addition to alleviating medical problems, breast reduction helps women who feel self conscious about the size of their breasts. To learn more about breast reduction surgery, contact the Cosmetic Institute today – serving San Jose, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, and beyond.
Breast Reduction Surgery
When you opt to have breast reduction surgery performed at our San Jose, Palo Alto area practice, the surgeon will typically make an anchor-shaped incision around the dark area of the nipple (areola) that continues downward and along the crease underneath the breast. The surgeon will remove excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, and adjust the nipple, still attached to the nerves and blood supply, to its new higher position. The skin from each side is then pulled down and around the areola, effectively reshaping the breast. After confirming that the proper shape and symmetry have been achieved, Dr. Sutkin carefully stitches up the incision, avoiding excess scarring. In certain cases, the vertical part of the scar can be eliminated. Stitches are usually removed in one to three week's time. Our breast reduction procedures are generally performed in a Palo Alto or San Jose area hospital, usually requiring a two to three day stay. The procedure itself takes between two and four hours and is done under a general anesthetic.
After Breast Reduction Surgery
Once the breast reduction surgery is complete, your breasts will be wrapped with an elastic bandage or surgical bra to keep you comfortable and supported. You can remove the bandage within a few days while the surgical bra stays on until the bruising and swelling subsides, typically a few weeks. To prevent excessive fluids from causing undue swelling, a small tube may be placed in each breast to allow drainage. Any pain patients may experience in the days following their breast reduction will be minor, and will subside in seven to 10 days. Commonly our Palo Alto and San Jose patients find they can return to work after two weeks.
Health Concerns
Complications in breast reduction surgeries are rare, and generally diminish over time. Some effects you might experience are bleeding, infection, a reaction to the anesthesia, or small sores around the nipple, which typically occur immediately following surgery. Some women temporarily lose sensation in their nipples after breast reduction surgery, a condition that almost always fades over time. Patients may also experience some discomfort in the breast area for up to a year. Occasionally, the surgery removes milk ducts leading to the nipples, impairing a woman's breast-feeding ability. To maximize the success of your breast reduction surgery and to minimize the risk of complication, Dr. Sutkin will give you specific instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.
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