breast surgery, breast reconstruction, plastic surgery resources, breast cancer

Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery is a surgical procedure to change the size or shape of the breasts. The alternate names are:

- Mastopexy
- Mammoplasty
- Breast size reduction
- Breast lift
- Breast lift with reduction
- Breast lift with augmentation

Indications

If you are considering mammoplasty, consult a plastic surgeon and discuss your expectations about looking and feeling better, keeping in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection. Emotional stability is an important factor. Breast surgery can renew your self-confidence and improve your appearance, but the rest is up to you.

Mammograms or breast x-rays may be required before the surgery. The plastic surgeon will perform a routine breast exam.
Mastopexy is typically performed to lift sagging, loose breasts. The size of the areola, the dark pink skin surrounding the nipple, can also be reduced.

Breast reduction may be recommended for:

- Enlarged breast (macromastia)
- Cystic breast infections (polycystic mastitis)
- Pain from weight of large breasts that is not relieved by a supporting bra

o Back pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain
o Headache
o Breast pain
o Loss of sensation in the breasts
o Sleeping problem resulting from large breasts
o Poor posture caused by large breasts
o Arm or finger numbness caused by large breasts
- Pigmented bra-strap groove
- Striae (scar-like lines) on the breasts

Breast reduction is not recommended if these conditions exist:

Breast cancer
- Cellulitis
- Hardened breast skin

Excerpt of 'MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cosmetic breast surgery.' National Library of Medicine. 17 Apr 2006, 11:01 UTC. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002984.htm

breast surgery, breast reconstruction, plastic surgery resources, breast cancer Plastic Surgery

Description of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, external genitalia or cosmetic enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon uses cosmetic surgical principles both to improve overall appearance and to optimize the outcome of reconstructive procedures.

Special knowledge and skill in the design and surgery of grafts, flaps, free tissue transfer and replantation is necessary. Competence in the management of complex wounds, the use of implantable materials, and in tumor surgery is required. Plastic surgeons have been prominent in the development of innovative techniques such as microvascular and craniomaxillofacial surgery, liposuction, and tissue transfer. Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other basic sciences are fundamental to the specialty.

Competency in plastic surgery implies an amalgam of basic medical and surgical knowledge, operative judgment, technical expertise, ethical behavior, and interpersonal skills to achieve problem resolution and patient satisfaction.

Excerpt of 'About ABPS.' The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. 17 Apr 2006, 00:15 UTC. http://www.abplsurg.org/about_abps.html