Ask Dr. Elliott: Questions on Cosmetic Breast Surgery
When it comes to which areas are most commonly treated with cosmetic surgery procedures, the breasts always rank very highly on the list. And with good reason. The breasts are very prominent features for both women and men. If you’re unsatisfied with the look and feel of your breast area, this can lead to not feeling comfortable in your own skin and a very negative impact on your self-esteem. With this in mind, I have taken some time to answer questions about a few of the most popular cosmetic breast procedures I have been performing in my years as a double board-certified plastic surgeon.
Question #1: Can a breast lift help counteract the effects of pregnancy on my breasts?
A Breast lift procedure can help offset the effects of pregnancy and are very common for women who experience sagging breasts after their pregnancy and breastfeeding. During a breast lift, I remove excess skin and underlying tissue in the breast in order to elevate and reshape the breast. The remaining breast tissue is then repositioned (along with the nipple) to provide firmer, perkier breasts. This is why breast lifts are a very popular option for patients considering mommy makeover procedures.
Question #2: Are there any recommended nonsurgical treatment options for gynecomastia?
Unfortunately, not that I’m aware of. In my experience, male breast reduction is the only way to treat the true causes of gynecomastia. Gynecomastia, or enlargement of the male breasts, is caused by an excess of male glandular breast tissue. Despite what some may claim, there are no pills or supplements that can effectively reduce the amount of excess tissue in the breast area. Additionally, many of these pills can have negative side-effects on your body. Diet and exercise can potentially help some men that have experienced breast enlargement due to weight gain, but exercise cannot help you lose breast tissue.
Question #3: Will my recovery from breast revision be more difficult than my initial breast augmentation recovery?
Although every patient is different and your experience may vary, recovery from breast revision surgery is typically more comfortable than recovery from the initial breast augmentation. However, your recovery may depend on the amount of scar tissue that is removed as well as other factors. Breast revision patients are often able to return to their normal activities within several days of their procedure. There may be some lingering soreness, similar to the feeling experienced following the initial breast augmentation.
I hope you found this helpful. I’m always happy to answer questions I receive from my patients. After all, the more educated a patient is about their cosmetic surgery options, the easier it will be to help select the procedure that will help them achieve their new aesthetic goals. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott and follow me on social media for more plastic surgery tips, photos, news, and more.