Breast Lift Techniques in Newport Beach

June 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Dr. Thomas Nguyen, Medical Director at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery concurs that through weight loss, age or child birth a woman's breasts may lose volume and shape, so that the breasts begin to sag and eventually the nipples point down.

Cosmetic plastic surgery offers women an option of changing their breast shape through techniques proven safe and effective over several years. According to statistics released in February by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 13.1 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, including those that are minimally-invasive or surgical, were performed in the United States in 2010, up 5 percent from 2009. In addition, more than 5.3 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year, up 2 percent. The increase in cosmetic plastic surgery mirrors the rise in consumer confidence throughout most of 2010.

A breast lift can improve the appearance of the breasts in many ways. It elevates the breast tissue, repositions the areola and nipple, and enhances breast shape. If the areola has been stretched over time, they can also be reduced in size. Women who undergo a breast lift may also seek to increase their breast volume. In that case, an implant can be placed behind the breast tissue or chest muscle to enlarge the breasts.

Techniques for the correction of breast ptotis (sagging) at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery have evolved over several years. The traditional "inverted T" technique of breast lift surgery is widely used today, because some surgeons feel that it consistently produces the most aesthetically pleasing breast shape. The technique involves three incisions: One is made around the areola; another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast; and the third incision follows the natural curve of the breast crease. Breast tissue is elevated and excess skin is removed. Skin formerly located above and to the sides of the nipple area is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

The scars resulting from the "inverted T" technique are visible on the breast, although in the majority of cases the incisions heal well, scars fade to some extent over time, and patients are very satisfied with the final result. However, the goal of aesthetic plastic surgery always is to achieve the best result with the least visible scarring. This has led to the search for newer techniques to lift the breasts.

More recent techniques have sought to decrease visual scars while achieving the aesthetic goals desired for a more youthful appearance. Limited incision breast lift techniques are gaining wider acceptance among plastic surgeons and their patients. Many surgeons feel, however, that they are most effective in a smaller subset of patients.
One limited incision technique used for breast lifting is called the "lollipop" because the incision is made around the nipple area with a line extending vertically down the breast. The "lollipop" technique eliminates the third incision, along the crease underneath the breast, used in the traditional procedure. In this technique, the breast tissue is "coned," bringing in breast tissue from the sides and middle of the breast and resulting in improved projection. Lipoplasty (liposuction) can also be used in conjunction with the vertical technique during a breast lift, not for volume reduction but for final shaping.

Another limited scar technique that is used for lifts is sometimes called a "donut lift." This nickname comes from the circular incision that is made around the areola and used to remove a donut shaped area of breast skin.

Additionally there is the "crescent" technique that involves removing a crescent-shaped piece of tissue above the areola and resuturing the tissue higher. This creates a minor lift for patients who have slight sagging.

Developments in breast surgery continue to evolve, with modifications of those described above. It is important to remember that a breast lift can improve the position, shape and distribution of existing breast tissue, but it cannot make the breasts larger; Newport Beach breast augmentation can, however, be performed simultaneously with breast lift.

A breast lift is usually considered a cosmetic procedure; therefore, in most cases, it is not covered by insurance. The usual time needed before a patient can return to non-strenuous work following breast lift surgery is one to two weeks.

The Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery believes that when considering breast lift surgery - as with the consideration of any cosmetic plastic surgery - patients should be fully informed of the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Dr. Thomas Nguyen (http://www.cosmeticinstitute.org) is a Board Certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and a Fellow at the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

# # #

Dr. Thomas T. Nguyen is a dedicated and caring Orange County Plastic Surgeon who is highly regarded for his commitment to reconstructive surgery. He is one of Orange County’s top experts in the area of burn treatment and is currently on staff at the Grossman Burn Center in Santa Ana. Dr. Nguyen is also an expert in post-cancer reconstruction with special focus on skin cancer and post-masectomy reconstruction. Finally, he is committed to helping children who suffer from congenital facial deformities and he has performed hundreds of cleft lip and palate operations in the United States and throughout the world.