AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY

Procedure

It is a procedure to correct sagging or ptosis of the breast. The amount of breast tissue changes in proportion to weight, pregnancy, and hormonal changes. The ligaments and duct system in the mammary gland will stretch and the breast will descend.

Ptosis, or sagging of the breast, results from the decrease in volume and the type of skin and supporting structures that do not retract but rather yield to the force of gravity. Breast pexy, seeks several objectives such as relocating the areola and nipple in a higher position, improving the shape of the breast either by reorganizing the breast parenchyma or, if it is not enough, placing a prosthesis to restore the volume. Finally, mammopexy aims to place the scars as well as possible, which are necessary to improve the tension of the skin. Multiple surgical techniques can be used, the choice of which will depend on the quality of the skin, the volume of the breast parenchyma and the size and position of the areola. If the skin is very flaccid and has stretch marks, it means that it has lost its elastic capacity and will require larger scars. If the gland is very atrophic, that is, with a very reduced size after breastfeeding or weight loss. In these cases, it is difficult to give volume to the mammary gland without the use of a prosthesis. As for the areola, it can be equally flaccid so the resulting scars can easily widen.

Generally speaking, in a breast lift, the scars will be placed around the areola (peri-areolar) in order to reposition it. Depending on the flaccidity of the skin, the scars in the lower pole will be vertical or in the shape of an inverted T to compensate for the excess skin. In other words, the more flaccid the skin, the more resection will be needed and therefore, the longer the scar will be. If, on the contrary, the skin is firm, it is possible to perform the pexy with the peri-areolar scar only. The surgery lasts between 2 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. It can be done on an outpatient or inpatient basis depending on each patient.