Secondary mastopexy, or mastopexy in previously augmented breasts presents unique challenges due to compromised blood supply to the nipple areola complex. Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast can be used to facilitate pre-operative planning in both cosmetic cases and breast cancer patients. We had the opportunity to describe our experience using breast MRI in complicated aesthetic and reconstructive cases at…
There are many occasions when patients acquire infections in their breasts. This can occur from previous mastitis during breast feeding or from previous galactocele, intraductal papilloma, or previous breast trauma. When the breast has been previously infected, scarring between the skin and the chest wall can occur. This can cause breast asymmetry and deformity of the breast. If the infections…
Secondary mastopexy augmentation is when a mastopexy augmentation is performed in a previously augmented or operated breast. In these patients it is important to take significant attention to the previous plane of the implant and previous incisions to be able to discern the remaining blood supply to the breast. In the secondary mastopexy augmentation it is quite common to perform…
Capsular contracture can be a challenging problem for patients and surgeons. Often correcting a chronic capsular contracture may require a staged procedure to most effectively treat the problem. When a capsular contracture is recurrent, it is often best to remove the implants for approximately one year prior to placing the implants back into position. Removing the mammary prosthesis and changing…
Synmastia occurs when breast implants migrate to the center of the chest and cross the midline or when the two breast implant pockets join together. Correction of synmastia is challenging and often requires significant changes to the implant pocket and or change of plane of the mammary prosthesis in order to correctly re-position the breast implants on the chest wall.…
Breast implants can become dislodged or displaced from their surgical pocket. This can be the result of a trauma, surgery, radiation, or capsular contracture. Correction of the double-bubble deformity requires repositioning of the infra-mammary fold to its native location. Slightly decreasing the size of the mammary prosthesis can help with repositioning of the new breast implant pocket.
Mastopexy or breast lift is a common procedure. There are many patients who are born with breasts which have a downward positioned nipple areola complex and/or breast tissue which is located below the infra-mammary fold. Repositioning the nipple areola complex as well as the breast tissue can give the breast a more youthful appearance and return self-esteem back to high…
Patients with breast implants may encounter capsular contracture. Some patients may get capsular contracture repeatedly. In patients with capsular contracture we recommend removal of the mammary prosthesis. Often patients do not want do be completely done with their mammary prosthesis and we then encourage patients to have smaller mammary prosthesis replaced. It is often helpful to have the mammary prosthesis…
Patients who have breast implants schedule consultations wishing to undergo changes to their breast implants or mammary prosthesis. One common request is to downsize their breast implants. The first step is to determine their current bra size and to determine the volume of the mammary prosthesis that they have in place. Once these are determined, the patient and physician can…
It is common for many women to want to have their implants removed. Often when patients want to have their implants removed, the breasts are already ptotic. The breast can be lifted following the removal of the breast implant. The most commonly used lift pattern is called the Wise pattern or T-lift. The T-lift allows the nipple areola complex to…
