Tag Archives: Breast Lift

Body Lift Surgery and Body Contouring Surgery : Part Three

The Surgical Incisions and Results – Delaware and Pennsylvania

This educational writing on body lift surgery and body contouring surgery is part of a four part series. It is important to learn about the operations and all aspects about them. I specialize in exclusively cosmetic surgery and operations like body lift, lower body lift, and breast lift. Patients from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and surrounding states will find the these writings helpful. Similar concepts are reviewed for breast lift and can be seen in the writing “Breast Lift Surgery and Breast Reduction Surgery : Understanding the Incisions.”

Body contouring or body lift operations are composed of many different operations that can be combined or done separately. These operations include arm lift, breast lift, tummy tuck, buttock lift, and thigh lift. Lower body lift surgery usually is the combination of a tummy tuck and thigh lift surgery. Sometimes staging of operations is required as they all can’t be done at one time. Please see the “Procedure Info” section of my web page under Body Lift, for further discussion of this topic and staging surgery.

Thigh lift surgery typically has one of two incision patterns. The first pattern involves an incision high on the thigh in the groin crease. The incision length is typically 6 to 9 inches long. The second pattern involves a “stocking seam” incision from the groin to the knee area. This pattern has a longer incision. People all want the shorter incision. The cosmetic surgeon does also. This first incision pattern is the shorter one, but does not work as well as the second pattern, with the incision down the leg. This is because the second pattern allows for significantly more skin removal and usually dramatically better results.

The first pattern in the groin area is placed in a well hidden area, and this is the main advantage of this incision. New techniques involve suturing the deeper layers of the thigh skin or flap to the bony tissue of the pubis. This new technique, that I use, is reported to give superior results than standard thigh lifts. It is sometimes claimed that this thigh lift gives better scars, without spreading of the scar with time. The “Real-Reality” or truth is that thigh lift incisions can spread, regardless of which pattern or surgical technique is used. Most of the time the incision fades well. Most people are very happy with the operation and the results. But it is important to understand that a risk of the operation is the incision not fading as well as hoped or spreading of the incision.

Now that we understand what the thigh lift or lower body lift scar might look like, it is important to understand what type of results we can expect from surgery. In general, the thigh lift with the incision pattern in the groin, usually involves lower thigh liposuction. This operation typically gives moderate improvement to the upper inner thigh area. The improvement is best in the 4 to 6 inch area near the groin. Beneath the 6 inch area and further down the thigh, the results are from liposuction alone. The results are best in that small distance, very close to the groin. Further down the thigh, there is going to be persistent looseness of skin. This is because it is not removed by the smaller incision pattern that does not go down the leg.

Liposuction, which is done to the lower thigh, makes a person “a smaller version of you.” Please see the educational writing on liposuction titled “Delaware Body Contouring – Understanding Liposuction.” There is minimal tightening of skin with liposuction in this type of situation, with loose thigh skin to start. With incision pattern one, with just the groin incision, the thigh lift result or lower body lift result is improvement for a short distance in the upper inner thigh with substantially less improvement further down the thigh.

The second incision pattern is a stocking seam incision running down the inside of the thigh. This incision is along the inside of the thigh and tends to be longer. However, it allows for significant excess skin removal and hence significantly better results. A basic concept in plastic surgery involves the understanding of the relationship between skin removal and incisions. Small incision patterns allow for small skin removal. Larger incision patterns allow for larger skin removal. Larger skin removal gives better and more dramatic results.

This concept is very important when it comes to thigh lift results or lower body lift results. The same concept applies to tummy tuck surgery when comparing mini tummy tuck versus a “classic” tummy tuck operation. With the mini tummy tuck, less skin is removed. The results will not be as dramatic as with a classic tummy tuck with the longer incision. When it comes to the thigh incisions, longer incisions give better results. The stocking seam incision or the second incision pattern discussed for thigh lifts tends to be associated with much better thigh improvement and results. These patients tend to get much more substantial and dramatic improvement in the appearance of the thigh.

The best candidates for this procedure are patients who really want improvement, and typically need it. Significant weight loss for example is a good indication. These patients typically have major or significant looseness of the skin. Patients might say, ”I don’t care about the incision, just get rid of all this loose skin.” When they have this much loose skin, patients tend to love the result of the thigh lift, with the stocking seam incision. The operation gets them back into tighter pants and clothing.

In contrast, women who have minimal loose skin in the thighs, with some excess fat, might not want the longer incision. They might want less dramatic changes, and hence the long scar can sometimes outweigh the benefits achieved by the thigh lift. This patient might choose liposuction only or the shorter incision pattern. The doctor will review these options in detail with you.

If a patient is considering a thigh lift or body lift, she must understand the “Real-Reality” of the scars and the “Real-Reality” of the results. If a patient has significant loose skin, then there is a good chance they will be happy with the dramatic results that can be achieved with a thigh lift. However, if a patient has minimal looseness of the thigh skin, then they must be very careful when deciding to proceed with this surgery, other options must be considered.

Breast Lift Surgery and Breast Reduction Surgery: Understanding the incisions or Scars

Categories in: Breast Lift, Breast Procedures, Breast Reduction
Listed in Tags:Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift before and after, breast lift cost, breast lift incisions, breast lift photos, breast lift recove

The writings or blogs are posted most recently on the top. For example, patients who are reading these writings on breast lift cosmetic surgery, it is best to scroll down and start reading the writings at Wilmington Breast Lift and Breast Reduction. This would be first. The later ones are in sequence as they have been added later.

Breast lift incisions or scars are of major concern. Poor scars on the breast are, in fact, one of the major causes for law suits against plastic surgeons. Breast incisions typically heal well and fade with time, but they can heal poorly or become hypertrophic or keloidal. Poor scars can be described as raised, red, and unsightly. A woman can have an operation to make the breast prettier, and all of a sudden she ends up with bad scars. She has become “scarred”. This is never the goal, of course. Most women do not end up like this. Most women have good or excellent results with incisions that fade well. The risk that the incisions do not fade well is one of the main risks a woman must face. Medical studies and medical research have shown extremely high satisfaction rates with these operations. The medical literature would support the conclusion that these operations really work. They improve symptoms of back and neck pain, and they greatly improve the shape and attractiveness of the breast. Most women are pleased with their operation, their surgeon, and would do it again if asked. However the “Real-Reality” of these breast operations, like many operations, is that the patient and doctor take a statistical chance. This is the chance that the incision doesn’t fade, as it is expected to, after breast lift or breast reduction surgery. The incisions or the scars and how they fade are of utmost importance. Certain operations like cosmetic eye lifts almost never get bad scars. Breast lift and breast reduction surgery have a greater chance. Although this rate is still very low, I believe it is the major factor that must be discussed before surgery. If a woman hates her breasts, and she cannot stand to look at them in the mirror, then she is an excellent candidate for this type of breast surgery. She typically will love the new shape and appearance of her breasts. The incisions are a necessary trade-off. In the great majority of cases, the incisions fade very well. They never go away. However, there really is no other option besides surgery, except not having the operation. No creams, suction massage, or puppet strings will work and lift the breast. These are not reality. You live with the existing shape of the breast or have the operation. In this scenario described, where the woman cannot stand her breasts and she believes it is not a minor issue but a major dissatisfaction, then she typically will be happy with surgery. This is a patient that probably will like the results of the breast lift. The necessary trade-off of the incisions will be outweighed by the improvement in appearance, and she will feel the operation has been worth it.

In contrast to breast lift, breast augmentation or breast enlargement have very small incisions. The incision for breast augmentation is small because the implant can be “rolled up” and placed in “empty.” It is then “filled up” inside the breast under the muscle. The incision for breast augmentation is much smaller than the breast lift and has a very high rate of fading extremely well.

Women interested in breast lift, breast augmentation, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift recovery, breast lift cost, and breast lift incisions should come in for a consultation with Dr. Saunders. Please also see the breast lift before and after photos and the breast augmentation before and after photos.

More information on Breast Lift Surgery and Breast Reduction Surgery

Categories in: Breast Lift, Breast Reduction
Listed in Tags:Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift before and after, breast lift cost, breast lift photos

The circumareolar pattern for breast lifting is mainly used for very small degrees of breast hanging. If it is used for more hanging than very small amounts, the result can be a shape that is very unnatural, with a flat and/or poor shape. A major understanding is that to make the breasts attractive in shape, with the nipples attractively lifted, the scars are a necessary evil. Make too few incisions, and you may end up with this poor shape and unattractive breasts. Larger breast incision patterns typically end up with attractive breasts with the main remaining issue being the fading of scars. Unattractive breasts after lifting or breast reduction may have changes that are difficult to correct even with re-operation. This type of re-operative surgery can be necessary after poor results. Think of it like a seesaw. On one side are breasts with minimal hanging. Some women might even say they don’t need lifting. These women can have small incisions, because there is a small amount of loose skin that needs to be removed. On the other side of the seesaw is significant hanging of the breasts, and the nipples are probably pointing significantly down. These breasts have significant amounts of loose skin and larger incision patterns are necessary. The “Real-Reality” is you cannot remove lots of loose skin with small patterns. Your anatomy determines the operation you need, typically not your wishes. Everyone wants a small incision, including the doctor.

The circumareolar pattern, as I have described, allows for only small amounts of skin removal and is for a limited number of patients with small degree of hanging. There are other problems with this pattern, including poor scar formation around the nipple, poor projection of the breast, a flat shape, and widespread nipples. Some doctors never use this pattern, because of these risks. I believe, if the woman has the correct anatomy, then the results from this pattern can be what is desired, and can be achieved.

The second pattern around the nipple and down, the “lollipop” pattern is much more frequently used than the other patterns. I like to think of it as a compromise pattern between the three patterns described. Moderate degrees of hanging and breast reduction can be done through this pattern. Lower risks of poor shape after surgery can be expected, compared to the circumareolar technique. The final pattern or “anchor” pattern might be called the “classic” incision pattern. It allows for as much skin removal as is necessary for women of any degree of breast size or shape. More severe degrees of hanging and very large breasts are typically best treated with this incision pattern. Once again, your anatomy and shape are major determinants, in regards to which pattern you will need.

Most breast lifts are done with the “lollipop” incision pattern. Patients with very little hanging can have the nipple incision only. Patients with large degrees of hanging will need the “anchor” pattern. The pattern of incision needed can change if a women decides she wants a breast lift and augmentation. A breast augmentation added to a breast lift leads to a bigger volume or size in addition to the lifted shape. The breast implant “takes up” extra skin and some patients will need smaller incisions because of this. Women interested in breast lift and augmentation might find they need just a “lollipop” incision instead of the “anchor” pattern if they add breast implants to the lift.
Finally, some women just need breast augmentation and no lift. This is if you have very little hanging however.

Women interested in breast lift, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift recovery, breast lift cost, and breast lift incisions should come in for a consultation with Dr. Saunders. Please also see the breast lift before and after photos and the breast augmentation before and after photos.

Breast Lift and Breast Reduction Incisions and scars

Categories in: Breast Lift, Breast Procedures, Breast Reduction
Listed in Tags:Breast Lift, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift before and after, breast lift cost, breast lift photos, breast lift recovery .

The single greatest issue to understand about breast reduction or breast lift surgery is the incision or scars. You cannot have a lift through the armpit or with tiny hidden incisions. This is unrealistic and never done. Breast lifting and breast reduction surgery requires incisions on the breast to perform the operation. These incisions are permanent. They fade. But they are the main concept to understand if one is considering this operation. What are the incisions going to look like? Am I going to be scarred? The “Real-Reality” of breast lifting or breast reduction is understanding the requirement for the incisions and what to expect.

Three main incision patterns are used. The first is around the nipple called a circumareolar incision. The areola is the pigmented aspect of the nipple. The second major pattern is around the nipple and down to the crease beneath the breast, where the wire is in a bra. This is typically called a “lollipop” pattern. The third main pattern is around the nipple, down to the crease, and also underneath the breast. Sometimes this is called a “keyhole” or “anchor” pattern. This is the operation with the largest incisions. Breast lift cost is not determined by the incisions.

The circumareolar incision pattern is the least frequently done around the country. It is a pattern everyone wants to have and the one doctors want to use. Remember, the doctor, and the patients both want the smallest incisions, because they have the same goal. The goal is pretty breasts with the smallest incisions possible. However, the “Real-Reality” is that small incisions allow for only a small amount of skin removal. Larger incisions allow for larger amounts of skin removal. If you have a fairly small amount of hanging of the breasts then you might only need a very small amount of skin removal. Most women seeking a breast lift have greater degrees of hanging and hence need greater amount of skin removal. You cannot have significant lifting of the breast without significant removal of skin. This same concept applies to a tummy tuck and facial rejuvenation surgery also. Small incisions allow for small removal of loose or excess skin. Bigger incisions allow for bigger degrees of skin removal, and hence bigger degrees of rejuvenation or lifting. A tummy tuck with bigger incisions allows for more dramatic skin removal and hence greater degrees of flattening of the stomach, compared with operations with small incisions such as a mini tummy tuck. With a face-lift, longer incision patterns allow for greater rejuvenation of the face, compared with short scar techniques. These concepts cannot be changed. This concept applies to breast surgery, abdominal surgery, facial rejuvenation, and most aspects of cosmetic surgery. With today’s technology, with the greatest and best state-of-the-art techniques, this understanding is important to grasp the “Real-Reality” of surgery. Understanding this will help a woman understand what incision pattern she will need and why. Most women having a breast lift or breast reduction do not need the big incision beneath the breast unless they have really large breasts or a lot of hanging. Most women can be lifted with the “lollipop” incision pattern. Adding breast implants with a simultaneous breast augmentation can help with excess skin and minimize the need for longer incisions. This operation is called a breast lift and augmentation.

This topic of breast lift and breast reduction incisions will be covered further in an upcoming writing in the near future. Look for this soon.

Dr. Saunders is a board certified plastic surgeon who practices exclusively cosmetic surgery. Delaware cosmetic surgery, West Chester cosmetic surgery, and Media cosmetic surgery patients are encouraged to come in for a complimentary consultation and to check out Dr. Saunders’ deluxe state licensed surgical center.
For people interested in breast lift cost, breast lift photos, breast lift recovery, breast lift and augmentation, or any aspect of breast lift surgery, please call for a complimentary consultation. Please also see the breast lift before and after photos on our web site.

Wilmington Breast Lift and Breast Reduction

Categories in: Dr. Saunders
Listed in Tags:beast lift photos, Breast Lift, breast lift before and after, breast lift cost, breast lift recovery .

A breast lift and a breast reduction are similar operations done to improve the appearance and shape of the breast. In contrast to a breast enlargement, a breast reduction involves making a breast smaller, not larger. Breast lifting is done typically to reshape the breast and lift the nipple, with little or minimal decrease in breast volume or size. The operation for a breast lift or reduction is actually very similar, and the concepts apply to both operations. Breast lifting mainly reshapes and enhances the shape of the breasts, with a necessary removal of loose skin. Very little to no breast tissue removal can be done. Small decreases in size are typically part of a breast lift for women who want to be lifted with no significant change in volume. A slight decrease in size is a realistic expectation.

Breast reduction classically reduces the breast a cup size or more, if necessary. The amount of tissue or volume reduced can vary, and it is a decision for the patient and the surgeon to make together. A discussion about the new size after surgery is typically done before your operation.

Many insurance companies may cover breast reduction surgery. This is done because of pain and discomfort related to large breasts. Heavy breasts or macromastia often cause symptoms such as pain in the back or neck. Shoulder grooving from bra straps, rashes and dermatitis beneath the breasts, and other symptoms are the complaints that typically lead to coverage from insurance companies for breast reduction surgery. Understand clearly that insurance companies do not care about the appearance or cosmetic aspects of your breasts. They are in the business of making money, not providing you with cosmetic surgery. They often are resistant to covering any breast surgery at all. However, if a woman’s breasts are truly large, as demonstrated with color photographic documentation, and if she’s having symptoms described above, often surgery can be covered. The insurance company will typically require approximately 500 g, or about 1 pound of breast tissue per side to be removed. This does vary depending on a woman’s weight. The insurance company may require even more breast tissue removed if the woman is over weight. Remember one pound of breast tissue is a lot of breast volume. Many women mistakenly think their breast weighs 5 pounds or greater. Breasts are actually much lighter. Women who are a C cup and have 1 pound of breast tissue removed may very well have a much smaller breast size than they want. Breast lifts are typically, never covered by insurance companies, except in the case of cancer. The purpose of the operation is for cosmetic improvement of the breast, not improvement of symptoms. Your doctor will help you with the decisions about health insurance coverage and whether you meet the criteria. Most women should be very large, at least a D cup or DD cup or greater, to be a candidate for reduction. Otherwise, lifting is the more appropriate operation. Breast lift recovery and breast reduction recovery is surprisingly easy. This is discussed in detail during consultations.

Dr. Saunders is a board certified plastic surgeon practicing exclusively cosmetic surgery. Media plastic surgery, West Chester plastic surgery and Delaware plastic surgery patients are extremely close to his state licensed plastic surgery surgi-center. Please check out the center on our web page.

Patients interested in breast lift cost, breast lift recovery, and breast lift photos are invited to come in for a complimentary consultation.
Please also see the breast lift before and after photos!