KU Aesthetic Surgery | 14700 Metcalf Avenue - Suite 130 | Overland Park, KS 66223 | 913-402-7410
KU Medical Center | 3901 Rainbow Blvd. | Kansas City, Kansas 66160 | 913-588-2000
KUMedWest | 7405 Renner Road | Shawnee, Kansas 66217
WeightLoss Surgical Center | 8101 W. 135th Street | Overland Park, Kansas 66223
For reasons that are not entirely known, some women develop larger breasts, and some women develop smaller breasts. Women with excessively small breasts frequently have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly. Some women with small breasts feel less attractive because of their breast size. Augmentation mammoplasty offers these women the opportunity to modify the size of their breasts. Augmentation mammoplasty involves the placement of implants behind the breast tissue, and generally behind the chest muscle as well, to enlarge the breasts. The incisions used for implant placement are quite small and are generally hidden beneath the breast, in the armpit or at the edge of the areola. Currently, both saline filled and silicone gel filled implants are available. Implants come in a wide variety of sizes so women can choose the degree of enhancement they want. During a consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of different implants and surgical approaches, and evaluate different size implants so the procedure can be tailored to best suit your needs.
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A significant decrease in breast size, as occurs after pregnancy or significant weight loss, can cause breasts to droop or sag. The passage of time, alone, can also lead to sagging of the breasts. This change can effect the fit of many types of clothing and sometimes makes the breasts less attractive. The degree of droop, or ptosis, is determined by the relationship of the nipple to the crease underneath the breast (inframammary crease). If the degree of droop is limited, and the nipple remains at or above the level of the inframammary crease, an augmentation mammoplasty may correct the problem. When the degree of droop is more extreme, a mastopexy is required to re-establish a youthful breast contour. With a mastopexy, excess breast skin is removed, and the breast tissue is often repositioned, in order to re-create a more youthful breast contour. This procedure involves more scarring than an augmentation procedure and includes scars around the areola and generally on the lower portion of the breast. The specific type of incision varies depending on the individual and their particular problem. During a consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of the procedure and what type of procedure will be best for you.
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Some women develop excessive large breasts for reasons that are not entirely known. Large breasts can contribute to back pain, neck pain and shoulder discomfort. The skin underneath the breast often becomes irritated, and the breasts themselves are sometimes uncomfortable. These problems can significantly limit a woman’s ability to participate in many types of physical activities. These problems can often be relieved, to a large degree, by a breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty. With a reduction mammoplasty, breast tissue and skin is removed the breast, and the remaining tissues are repositioned to create as natural a breast contour as possible. The procedure does produce scarring around the areola and on the lower portion of the breast, though the type of incision utilized can vary depending on the individual. During a consultation, the pros and cons of the procedure will be discussed, as will the technique that will best address your individual needs.
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Many women who lose their breasts due to breast cancer benefit from breast reconstruction. Though not all women who undergo mastectomy choose reconstructive surgery, many find that it improves their self image and their ability to wear many types of clothing. Available techniques include tissue expansion and breast implants, latissimus dorsi flaps, TRAM flaps and free flaps. The pros and cons of each of the options is discussed in a preoperative consultation so that the procedure that best meets the needs of the individual patient can be provided. Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, if appropriate and desired, can often be coordinated with oncologic surgeons as well.
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