Category: Breast

The surgical techniques used in breast augmentation have been refined over the years to provide patients with beautiful cosmetic results that look and feel natural. With the range of breast implants available today, getting a natural look is a matter of choosing the right size and type of implant that best suits the patient’s overall body type. Nipple and skin sensation is a different story.

Most women do experience a change in sensation in one or both of the nipples and in the skin just under the breast. This begins with hypersensitivity or numbness in the nipples and numbness in the skin. Most patients find that sensation returns to normal within 2 to 4 months, depending on where the implant was inserted.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT IS KEY

There are four areas that can be used as insertion points; the inframammary fold just under the breast, the armpit, the belly button and the nipple area. These choices are generally made based on masking the resulting scar. There are also choices on where the implant will be placed, either under the muscle or closer to the surface, just under the mammary gland structure.

Preserving sensation in the nipple complex is very important and to ensure the complete success in breast augmentation. There have been many opinions offered on why some women experience permanent loss of sensation in the nipple. Very large implants that stretch the nipple and skin are thought to be a factor as the nerves also need to stretch while adjusting.

RESULTS OF A 6 YEAR CLINICAL STUDY ON NIPPLE SENSATION AND PAIN

A study on the subject of nipple sensation and pain following primary breast augmentation was conducted over a 6 year period in Rome and the UK with over 1200 cases. The findings were released in 2011 reporting that implant size and implant placement – either above or below the muscle – had no bearing on nipple sensation and pain. The main factor that caused problems with nipple sensitivity or numbness was placing the implant through an incision at the edge the areola. This ‘periareolar’ incision was found to increase changes in nipple sensation and pain by a factor of three when patients were assessed six months after surgery.

(Source:https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2011/10000/Sensitivity_of_the_Nipple_Areola_Complex_and.34.aspx)

The reason for diminished sensation is thought to be caused by cutting the nerves that support the nipple-areola complex. Scar tissue may also block regeneration of nerve channels following periareolar incision.

CHANGES IN NIPPLE SENSATION

In up to 6% of patients, there will be some change in nipple sensation following breast augmentation. The degree of change will vary from patient to patient with most patients finding that nipple sensitivity returns to normal range once all healing has occurred.

Discussion of this potential change should be part of every woman’s relationship with her plastic surgeon. Avoiding sensitivity problems can be done by choosing an implant that is not overly large and using the fold under the breast called the inframammary fold, as an insertion point.

While all women experience some degree of sensitivity or numbness following breast augmentation surgery, the vast majority of patients find that after a few months their sensitivity problems are resolved leaving them free to fully enjoy their enhanced feminine appearance.

As we age it is natural for the breasts to begin to sag. The biggest force contributing to sagging breasts is gravity, particularly in women with large breasts.

There is a protein called elastin that is present in all skin tissue. Elastin keeps the skin elastic as the name suggests and anything that decreases elastin will result in breast sagging as well as sagging in other parts of the body.

One of the biggest culprits contributing to sagging skin is cigarette smoking. Smoking compromises elastin which in turn reduces the skin’s ability to hold its shape and bounce back when stretched. Weight gain is another common contributor to sagging breasts. Women who gain and lose significant amounts of weight over time will hasten the effects of gravity on their breasts as elastin breaks down.

The increase in breast size during pregnancy adds weight which puts extra strain on muscles and ligaments. This can lead to sagging breasts particularly after multiple pregnancies. However, contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding alone is not a cause of saggy breasts. It is the added breast size experienced during pregnancy that causes the sagging so getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight will reduce the strain on the ligaments.

PREVENTING SAGGY BREASTS

Slowing the progress of sagging breasts is possible. Since the problem lies in stretched ligaments that loose elasticity, wearing a good supportive bra, particularly while exercising, will reduce the stress that would naturally be placed on the supportive muscles.

Maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding dramatic swings in weight will also help your ligaments and muscles support the breasts. Giving up smoking will go a long way to preventing the breakdown of elastin not only in the breasts but in the face and other areas.

SURGICAL OPTIONS FOR SAGGY BREASTS

If your sagging breasts are causing you to seriously dislike your appearance, a surgical breast lift can be done to tighten the slack muscles and ligaments and reposition the areola and nipple structure to a more youthful position on the chest. In some women, a breast lift with augmentation is beneficial and will restore both position and fullness lost through the aging process.

SAGGING BREASTS CAN CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES

Women who have large breasts can experience significant health improvements through a breast reduction with lift. The improvement in back health, reduction of painful bra strap grooves in the shoulders and reduction of skin rashes is a bigger benefit than the cosmetic improvement according to our patients.

CONTACT US FOR AN EVALUATION

If you would like a confidential consultation with Houston Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sukkar to discuss your breast sagging issues, contact our office for an appointment. He has helped countless women regain a youthful silhouette as well as improvement in health issues related to sagging breasts.

Whether you need a simple breast lift, a lift with augmentation or a breast reduction with a lift, you can be confident in trusting your procedure to a plastic surgeon with decades of experience in breast procedures.

Are you in a debate with yourself on whether to have silicone or saline breast implants? If so you are not alone. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of implant but ultimately it comes down to three things:

• LOOK
• FEEL
• SCAR VISIBILITY

Well placed breast implants of either type look and feel natural while complimenting the woman’s overall proportions. Some women prefer one type over another for reasons other than their appearance but for the most part about 80% of women choose silicone filled implants.

MOST WOMEN CHOOSE SILICONE

Women tend to choose silicone over saline for several reasons. This implant material feels and moves more like the natural breast. There are many more choices in shape, size and projection giving patients a more custom fit. Patients can also choose whether to have implants that are filled with a more fluid gel or a form stable gel. Implants using cohesive gel silicone have been nicknamed ‘gummy bear’ implants. Cohesive gel implants, or gummy bear implants, are available in multiple round and teardrop (‘anatomical’) shapes.

The advantage with round implants is that should they rotate within the breast pocket, they will still look natural. In contrast, should the form stable teardrop shaped implants rotate they will look unusual.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Silicone breast implants were removed from the market for several years while studies were done to determine if they were safe. This followed reports of implants leaking and there was legitimate concern that this could be a health risk. In 2006 silicone was again cleared for use in breast implants and this new generation of implants has enjoyed a stellar safety record.

ADVANTAGES OF SALINE IMPLANTS

Saline implants have the advantage of using sterile salt water as the filler. In the case of a puncture, the fluid leaks into the surrounding breast tissue where it is naturally eliminated by the body. Some women feel more comfortable knowing this and for them this type of implant will be just as effective in restoring fullness to the breasts but without any anxiety attached.

Saline implants are round and for women who are thin, this might provide a more natural look. Another advantage of saline implants is that the incision for placing them can be much smaller as the implant is inserted empty and filled once it is in place. This also gives Dr. Sukkar the ability to check the size and adjust accordingly before he closes the incision.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Silicone or saline, large or small; these are things that must be decided upon, but there is much more to a beautiful breast implant result than that. Each type of implant has different aspects in shape, feel and movement which must be considered in relation to the body type of each patient.

Achieving fuller breasts that look and feel natural is the goal no matter which type of implant you choose. Dr. Sukkar can help you make the right choice based on his considerable experience in breast implant surgery and a full understanding of your image goals.

Several factors can influence the final outcome of your breast augmentation. From the breast implant type to your desired size, you will have different options to choose from during your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Sukkar. One of these decisions will be the placement of your breast implants – either over or under the pectoralis muscle. This is a major factor that can affect how natural your results look. During your consultation, Dr. Sukkar will perform a physical examination and listen to what you hope to achieve through surgery to ultimately recommend which placement is best for your needs.

In general, breast implants placed under the muscle tend to look natural on more women. Since more tissue covers the implant, a more subtle breast slope is achieved. This technique is especially recommended for patients with very little breast tissue present, since the extra layer of muscle will help disguise the implant.

Placement of breast implants over the muscle, however, can be a preferred option for some individuals. If there is an adequate amount of breast tissue already present, the implants may provide a natural look without the additional layer of muscle. When breast implants are placed over the muscle, this typically provides a more comfortable and faster recovery period.

In the end, both options can provide beautiful results for the right candidates. This is why it is important to schedule a consultation to discuss your cosmetic goals, allowing Dr. Sukkar to help you make an informed decision about your procedure. Contact us to book your appointment!

Many women come to Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa wishing to alter their breasts but aren’t sure which procedure is right for them. To determine the right solution for your needs, Dr. Sam Sukkar will conduct a physical examination while also listening to what you hope to achieve through surgery. Based on this information, he can establish whether you need a breast augmentation and/or a lift.

In general, breast augmentation is ideal for those who wish to enhance the size and shape of their breasts. The procedure can restore volume if the breasts begin to look deflated, such as after breastfeeding, or if the patient simply wants to increase their breast size. Additionally, the use of breast implants can help improve symmetry.

A breast lift, on the other hand, is designed to raise the tissue to a more youthful position on the chest wall, which can include lifting the areola if it has descended below the level of the breast crease. The breast lift procedure provides beautiful results for those with moderate to severe drooping of the breasts.

Should a patient have more severe drooping and also desires an increase in their breast size, a breast augmentation combined with a lift may be the best option. To learn which option(s) can help you reach your aesthetic goals, please contact our office to schedule your consultation.

Although all men have some glandular breast tissue, some individuals experience an excess or swelling of this tissue. The common condition, known as Gynecomastia, is often caused by a hormone imbalance. Fortunately, gynecomastia is often easily treatable.

At The Clinic for Plastic Surgery, we can help men of all ages achieve a flatter, more sculpted chest through male breast reduction surgery. There are two main ways in which we perform male breast reduction surgery to treat gynecomastia. The first method is a bit less extensive, since the cosmetic concern can often be addressed quickly and simply with liposuction. This technique is also considered to be less invasive, and it is generally most effective when the main cause of enlarged breasts is an excess of fatty tissue.

For patients who have glandular breast tissue that is disproportionate with the rest of the chest and body, a more extensive male breast reduction procedure is often recommended to create the desired look. This technique requires the excision of glandular tissue to reduce the size of the breasts, and it sometimes involves the removal of excess skin. Regardless of which approach is needed, Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Sukkar, is extremely careful during surgery to minimize the risk of scarring. Because the male chest is often more visible, his goal is to avoid noticeable scarring altogether while achieving a result that appears naturally proportionate and firm.

If you believe you may be experiencing gynecomastia, or if you have any questions about male breast reduction surgery, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sukkar.