Which Breast Procedure is Right For You?

In North America alone, an estimated 1 to 2 million adult women have breast implants. Many younger women seek augmentation to enhance their figures, while older women may need reconstruction following breast cancer surgery. Overall, 60% of breast surgeries were for cosmetic reasons.

Various breast procedures are available to suit your needs and lifestyle. The sheer number may seem overwhelming, so this guide will break down the options and make plastic surgery feel more approachable. Aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries have benefits and risk factors to consider, so it’s crucial to do your homework and understand what each entails.

If you would like to know more and get a personal recommendation for your specific situation, you are welcome to schedule a private breast surgery consultation with Dr. Nathan Brought.

Why Consider a Breast Procedure?

Surgeons perform roughly 1.6 million breast augmentations annually, and each affects the patient’s physical and emotional life. Implants improve self-confidence and body image for many women. The benefits are more practical in other cases. For example, many women with overly large, heavy breasts suffer from chronic pain, skin chafing and irritation, embarrassment, and an inability to wear specific clothing styles. A breast reduction can solve all these problems and improve your daily life.

Pregnancy, nursing, weight fluctuations, and aging can significantly alter your body, specifically your breasts. A qualified surgeon like Dr. Brought can help you deal with life’s changes, realize your aesthetic goals, and overcome challenges like sagging and volume loss.

Which Breast Procedure Should You Choose?

The decision to get cosmetic surgery is intensely personal. Many women with naturally small breasts choose augmentation, while others may dream of getting a lift, reduction, or reconstruction procedure to restore their femininity and self-esteem. Let’s examine each option and see which fits you best.

Breast Augmentation

A breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery that enlarges and enhances the breasts. It can also correct issues such as asymmetry and minor amounts of ptosis or drooping, which commonly occurs after breastfeeding.

Breast augmentation is one of the most versatile procedures in plastic surgery. You and Dr. Brought have many variables to consider, including implant size, placement, and material.

Understanding Breast Implants

Here are the three implant materials you can choose from.

1. Silicone: Silicone is the most popular breast implant material because it looks and feels the most like natural breast tissue. While modern implants are durable, they should not be considered permanent medical devices. The FDA recommends women with silicone implants get routine MRI screenings, or ultrasound screenings, to detect a silent rupture. Even if your implants do not rupture, you may need to have them replaced if there are any issues down the road.
2. Saline: Saline is sterile saltwater. These implants come as empty shells, which Dr. Brought fills after inserting them into the breast pockets. He can adjust the amount of liquid, allowing for more symmetry and precision. Some feel saline implants are safer — unlike silicone, if they rupture, your body should absorb the saltwater without complications. However, because saline is thinner than silicone, it tends to feel a bit less natural and can be prone to rippling and wrinkling, especially in women who lack sufficient breast tissue.
3. Form-stable implants: The FDA approved “gummy bear” implants in 2012, making them a relatively recent addition to the market. They are also silicone, but with a thicker, more cohesive gel. There is less chance of a leak if the outer shell ruptures, reducing the risks associated with the standard silicone option. Still, you should be aware of other potential health risks and consult with Dr. Brought before considering gummy bear implants. 

Breast Lift

The medical term for a breast lift is mastopexy. It elevates and reshapes breasts that have become flattened or elongated due to breastfeeding, age, or weight loss. A breast lift will likely not significantly change your breast size. It is purely a surgery to reduce the excess skin and reposition the breasts onto your chest wall, restoring their perky appearance.

Breast Reduction

Contrary to popular belief, not all women want larger breasts. If your breasts are out of proportion with your body, you may live with chronic neck and back pain, experience frustrating discomfort while exercising, or even struggle with chafing or deep grooves in your shoulders from your bra straps digging into your skin. A breast reduction can simultaneously resolve multiple concerns and improve your confidence.

When performing a reduction mammoplasty, Dr. Brought will remove excess breast tissue, fat, and sagging skin. He can also reduce your areolas, which often become enlarged in women with bigger breasts. This will lead to a more proportional breast with a cosmetically pleasing appearance.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction usually happens after surgeries that help women overcome breast cancer.

• Mastectomy is when a surgeon removes some or all of the breast. A double mastectomy removes both breasts as a preventive measure for those at high risk of breast cancer. For patients who plan to have immediate breast reconstruction, surgeons do a skin-sparing versus a nipple-sparing mastectomy where they only remove the cancerous tissue, leaving the healthy skin as intact as possible.
• Lumpectomy is similar to mastectomy, but it is more of a breast-conserving surgery. It is an option if your doctor catches the cancer early enough and your tumor is small and not aggressive.

There are two leading approaches to breast reconstruction. The first is implant-based, using a saline or silicone device to recreate the breast mound and stretching the skin to cover it. If you lack sufficient skin, autologous or flap reconstruction is the second option. The plastic surgeon will use tissue from another part of your body, like your abdomen, back, or thighs, to create the breast shape.

After rebuilding your breasts, Dr. Brought will recreate your nipples and areolas with skin grafting or tattooing, if you choose to proceed with nipple-areolar reconstruction.

Schedule Your Confidential Consultation With Dr. Brought

Dr. Brought is a FACOS board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He and his staff at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute provide an unparalleled patient experience. We understand everyone’s story is different, and we want to listen to yours. To arrange a consultation, please contact our office at 615-724-9818 or use our easy online form and we’ll get back to you soon.