Breast Enhancement
Dr. Lucas is proud to offer the highest quality, state-of the-art breast enhancement surgery services available. As a participant in the FDA Approval Silicone Breast Implant Study, clients considering Breast Augmentation can be assured of receiving cutting-edge treatment. This commitment to utilizing the latest research and techniques is also evident in Dr.Lucas' use of Endoscopic Assisted Breast Surgery for both Breast Augmentation and Breast Reconstruction. Our other breast surgery services include Breast Reduction and Mastopexy (Breast Lift).
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BREAST ENHANCEMENTS
Women who wish to change the size and shape of their breast can choose a breast augmentation procedure. This popular choice can increase self-confidence by changing the proportions of a woman's figure. Breast augmentation not only allows a plastic surgeon to increase bra size, but allows for a reshaping and added integrity to the breast by filling the skin envelope with a larger volume. This can be helpful to a young woman contemplating a larger size or for a woman who has experienced changes in her breast secondary to pregnancy or aging and wishes volume enhancement of the breast skin for a more youthful appearance.
If you are considering this surgical option and wish to know more please contact The Lucas Center for a free personalized consultation by calling 865-218-6210.
WHAT ARE BREAST IMPLANTS
Breast Implants vary in size and shape and are composed of a silicone elastomer (rubber) shell. In addition, implants can be filled with either saline or silicone gel. Saline filled implants utilized by Dr. Lucas, Baptist West Plastic Surgery, are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for ther general public. Since 1992, Silicone gel implants have been under a FDA restricted use policy to determine safety. During your consultation with Dr. Lucas, he can explain the benefits in your individual case for the use of silicone gel devices. The silicone gel implant can only be released to patients meeting requirements by the FDA study. Dr. Lucas is a co-investigator in the study.
The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) has a long history and interest in the safety for women who make the personal choice for breast augmentation. Much effort has been dedicated to the study of breast implants over time with the risks, the benefits and long term safety of these devices. ASPS and Dr. Lucas feel strongly that breast implants are safe and effective for the general population.
POSITION OF THE IMPLANT IN THE BREAST AND SURGICAL ACCESS
Breast implants can be positioned either in the space under the chest muscle (subpectoral) or directly under the breast tissue (subglandular). The decision is based on several factors which can be discussed during the consultation.
The location of the surgical access of the final scar position cna be in one of three locations: around the nipple-aerolar complex (periareolar), under the arm (transaxillary), or under the breast fold (inframammary).
Overall, the implant chosen is based on many factors such as size of the patient, residual breast tissue, position of the breast on the chest wall, skin quality and patient preferences for size and shape. As in all procedures offered through Baptist West Plastic Surgery, the final decisions will be reached by the patient in concert with the educational information provided by Dr. Lucas to reach the optimal choice and to give the best and most predictable result.
BREAST LIFT (Mastopexy)
Most women tend to experience changes in their youthful breast shape and firmness over time. Certain factors such as weight changes, multiple pregnancies, loss of skin elasticity, loss of breast volume, and gravity can hasten these expected results. If a women's personal choice is to correct these changes to feel more self confident and youthful, Dr. Lucas has several techniques at his disposal to enhance her breast form.
In general, with a breast that has begun to droop off the chest wall, one of two factors has occurred. Either the overall breast tissue fill has decreased this can occur after breast feeding or pregnancy, or the skin envelope surrounding the breast tissue has changed often related to loss of skin elasticity. Therefore, to correct this problem, the skin envelope must be reduced in size and/ or volume to the breast tissue must be restored through an implant placement. As part of the skin tailoring operation, the nipple-areolar complex is repositioned to a more idealized position on the breast mound giving a more youthful profile. Dr. Lucas has analyzed these factors considerably and strongly feels that a key factor in maintaining the results and minimizing wide scars is to provide breast shaping whenever possible through internal breast suture-plication technique. Many techniques require the skin to be the final determiner of breast shape. If a women already has a problem with loss of elasticity, asking the skin to hold the shape of the new breast seems counterintuitive. Therefore, mastopexy with or without implantation can be amenable to this technique to maintain shape as long as possible. This concept is overlooked by many surgeons in the field.
During your complimentary consultation with Dr. Lucas, you can discuss your wishes and expectations with regard to breast size and shape. Certainly this may make a women feel more self confident in wearing a wider array of clothing options.
The best candidates for a breast lift are nonsmoking, physically-healthy patients with realistic expectations about the surgery.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BREAST ENHANCEMENT
Dr. Lucas is available to provide you with expert advice and personalized answers to all of your questions. Contact us online or give us a call at (865) 218-6210 to schedule a free personalized consultation.
More information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons: