Breast

Some women, despite all their hopes and wishes, just never develop even average-sized breasts. Other women find pregnancy and nursing rob them of what breasts they had. In both cases, chests just seem to be flatter than they ought to be, blouses don't fill out as they should, and patients may even feel a loss of femininity.

Breast augmentation can help. A pocket is made either within the breast tissue itself or under the pectoralis muscle. The empty implant is then inserted and filled with solution to the desired size. Final cup size can be either B, C, or D. The larger breasts then help proportion the upper body, fill out clothes, and give an increased sense of attractiveness and self-confidence.

This procedure takes about 1 1/2 hours and is done under general anesthesia in the hospital. Patients are discharged either the same day or the next morning, and most women resume normal activities within several weeks.

Silicone breast implants, sometimes referred to as "gummy bear" implants, are still widely available and Dr. Hollingsworth has extensive experience in this area. We will also be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your options. To get started, call our office at (903)793-8966.

The purpose of a breast lift or mastopexy is treat a ptotic or “droopy” breast by removing excess skin and elevating the nipple and areola. A variable amount of breast tissue can also be removed if the patient desires to be smaller following the procedure.

​

Any woman whose breasts have begun to droop are potential candidates for a breast lift. The definition of being “droopy” is when a woman’s nipple and breast have descended below the level of the fold beneath the breast. Breast lift patients are often women who have experienced pregnancy and wish to undergo a mommy makeover. The procedure is also appropriate for those who have lost significant amounts of weight after bariatric surgery or with the help of a diet and exercise routine.

Breast cancer will strike one out of every nine women. Treatments vary depending upon tumor size and type, but complete removal of the breast still seems to be the treatment of choice. This loss of a breast, however, need not be a devastating experience.

In most women, reconstruction can be accomplished by performing two fairly short procedures. The first involves making an incision in the old scar, creating a pocket under the remaining chest skin, and inserting an empty tissue expander. Over the next couple of weeks, this expander is slowly filled with saline solution, thereby stretching the skin. Then, three to four weeks later, the patient is returned to the operating room where the expander is removed, a permanent implant is inserted, and the nipple is reconstructed.

The patient now has a much more symmetrical feel and appearance to her breasts. Underneath clothing, her reconstructed breast can be indistinguishable from the normal side. Most patients miss only 2-3 days of work. Each operation can be done in under two hours, but needs to be done under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Patients usually go home the same day.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

A tissue expander is inserted following the mastectomy to prepare for reconstruction.


The expander is gradually filled with saline through an integrated or separate tube to stretch the skin enough to accept an implant beneath the chest muscle.


After surgery, the breast mound is restored. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time. The nipple and areola are reconstructed at a later date.

Too much of something is not necessarily a good thing. This is especially true for women with large breasts. Carrying 4-8 pounds of extra weight all day can put a real strain on the shoulders and neck.

Patients typically complain of bra strap scarring into the shoulders, upper back and neck pain, postural difficulties, chest wall and breast pain, and summertime skin irritation. With increasing age, neck and back arthritis will worsen. Finding clothes that fit is often a nightmare, and patients can forget about enjoying strenuous physical activities.

Surgical breast reduction is the only relief available to these women. Not only is the excess breast tissue removed, but the droopy breast is uplifted and returned to a more normal position.

This procedure takes 3-4 hours and needs to be done under general anesthesia in the hospital. Patients are usually discharged the next morning. Pain is usually less than expected, and most women can return to work in 7-10 days.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

The excessive weight of large breasts can cause physical symptoms such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as skin rashes beneath the breasts.

One common breast reduction technique removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin through the incisions shown. The nipple and areola remain attached to the underlying tissue but are shifted to a higher position. The size of the areola is often reduced at the same time.


Skin that formerly was located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size in men, flattening and enhancing the chest contours.

In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.

This surgery removes excess tissue in the breast area. The axillary breast is also known as supernumerary or accessory breast tissue, and is located in the area of the armpits. It can affect one or both sides.

Breast implant surgery sometimes requires revision soon after the initial operation due to problems with either implant size or implant position. Over time, revision becomes necessary when excessive scar tissue forms around the implant or when the implant breaks or ruptures. The exact procedure done depends on the particular situation.