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Mammoplasty

Breast implants or breast reduction
Table of Contents

What is mammoplasty?

Mammoplasty is a set of surgical procedures designed to change the shape, size and/or position of the breasts. These procedures can include breast augmentation, breast reduction or mastopexy.

Breast augmentation can be performed for aesthetic, reconstructive or health reasons (particularly related to the spine), depending on the patient’s individual needs and clinical objectives.

 

What types of mammoplasty are there?

There are 3 main types of mammoplasty:

  • Augmentation Mammoplasty (or breast augmentation);
  • Reduction mammoplasty (or breast reduction);
  • Mastopexy.

The different types of mammoplasty can follow different techniques, using prostheses (breast implants) or dispensing with prostheses, using only the patient’s own body fat, known as fat grafting mammoplasty.

 

Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgery in great demand. It is usually performed to improve the size and/or shape of women’s breasts.

Breast augmentation is usually performed using high-quality breast implants. In rare cases, a hybrid technique can be used, which includes not only implants but also fat grafts.

Silicone implants (in various sizes and shapes) are safe and long-lasting, providing natural and harmonious results.

There are several types of prosthesis and they can be placed in front of or behind the pectoral muscle. There are also three types of incision – in the armpit, around the nipple or in the inframammary fold. Only after a thorough consultation and explanation of all these points can a joint decision be made between patient and surgeon.

 

Reduction mammoplasty (or breast reduction)

Reduction mammoplasty, also known as breast reduction, is an option for women who want to reduce the volume and weight of their breasts.

Breast reduction can relieve physical discomfort, improve posture and restore aesthetic proportion. With advanced and precise techniques, we guarantee minimal scars and a faster recovery.

Regarding the incisions made, there is the vertical technique, in which the breast is left with a scar around the areola and another vertical scar from the areola to the inframammary fold.

For larger reductions, this technique is insufficient and it is necessary to add an incision at the level of the inframammary fold, known as the “T” technique.

 

Mastopexy

Mastopexy or breast lift is the surgery that corrects breast ptosis (sagging breasts) and consists of removing excess skin. This technique can be combined with the placement of a prosthesis (mastopexy with prosthesis).

The procedure can be carried out using 3 different techniques: 1) periareolar technique; 2) vertical technique; 3) “T” technique.

Each of these techniques leaves scars in different places, to a greater or lesser extent. The main factor depending on the technique used is the degree of breast ptosis. Mild ptosis (breasts sag slightly) can be corrected with less invasive techniques (for example, the periareolar technique, which consists of an incision around the areola), while more severe ptosis may require more extensive approaches (the “T” technique, which consists of an incision around the areola, one vertical to the breast crease and another horizontal along the crease).

The choice of technique can also depend on the size and shape of the breasts, the elasticity of the skin and the patient’s aesthetic goals.

 

What are the expected results?

According to Living Clinic’s experience, those seeking breast augmentation want larger breasts, without losing harmony and balance, with a natural result.

On the other hand, patients who come to us looking for a reduction mammoplasty want to achieve a breast reduction that helps them feel better about themselves, but also solves collateral problems, such as back pain, for example.

The results of mastopexy are generally very satisfactory and long-lasting. Women who undergo the surgery have their breasts lifted, firmer and more symmetrical. In the case of mastopexy with prostheses, the breasts are usually rounder and have a more pronounced cleavage, but they always look natural.

 

Who is the plastic surgeon responsible for breast augmentation?

At Clínica Living, breast augmentation is the responsibility of Dr. Francisco Martins de Carvalho, a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.

In the field of aesthetic surgery, Dr. Francisco has a special interest in facial aesthetic surgery, breast aesthetic surgery, body contouring surgery and female intimate surgery.

Find out more about Dr. Francisco on his page.

 

 Schedule an appointment to hear the plastic surgeon’s recommendation for your particular case and clarify all your doubts.

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At Living Clinic, we are concerned with ensuring that, in any surgical procedure, the patient is left with as few scars as possibleWhat are the possible types of scars?

In the case of breast augmentation, it is possible to have one of three types of scar: periareolar (around the areola), inframammary (under the breast) and transaxillary (in the armpit area).

As for reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy scars, they can be: round around the areola-mamillary complex or vertical from the areola to the submammary fold and horizontal in the fold (forming an inverted T).

Each person has a unique healing process. Scars can take up to a year or more to completely stabilize.

At Living Clinic, all three types of breast augmentation are performed under general anesthesia.

Mammoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis and, after surgery, the patient must remain under surveillance for a few hours, taking painkillers and monitoring drainage if drains have been placed.

With current techniques, there is only a slight change in sensitivity immediately after surgery, which is recovered after 3 weeks. There are very few cases in which a woman completely loses nipple sensitivity.

At the Living Clinic, we have witnessed only temporary changes in breast sensitivity.

However, any changes in nipple sensitivity should always be reported to the surgeon responsible for the operation.

Although it always varies, the experience of the Living Clinic team tells us that breast augmentation is a procedure that lasts an average of 1 to 2 hours.

Recovery and the post-operative period for breast augmentations have some points in common, particularly with regard to not being able to exert yourself too much in the days after surgery.

In addition, in all three cases, a compression bra must be worn for about a month and drains must be drained if drains have been inserted.

As for resuming “normal life”, this varies mainly according to the type of surgery, the patient’s response, the patient’s work activity, etc., as all these factors can have a decisive impact on recovery.

Ask all your questions in consultation.

At Living Clinic, patient safety is our priority. That’s why all procedures are carried out with the utmost respect for protocols. However, any surgery carries its risks, and breast augmentation is no exception:

  • Infections;
  • Decreased breast sensitivity (most of the time only temporary);
  • Thick, red (keloid) or wide scars;
  • Hematoma or seroma (accumulation of blood or fluids under the skin that may require removal);
  • Capsular contracture (in the case of silicone implants, but very rare due to the quality of the prostheses);
  • Implant rupture (in the case of breast augmentation, but also very rare).

No, as long as the nipple, mammary gland and mammary ducts are not affected during the operation.

In the case of breast augmentation, the placement of implants never affects or alters the mammary gland. Therefore, if the integrity of the areola and nipple is maintained and the ducts and nerve endings are not affected, there is no reason to make breastfeeding impossible.

As far as breast reduction is concerned, everything depends on the amount of glandular tissue removed and whether or not it interferes with the breast ducts. If you want to become pregnant and breastfeed after surgery, you should talk to your Living Clinic plastic surgeon about this.

There are patients who are not eligible for any type of breast augmentation. This is the case for women who are

  • overweight;
  • women under 18 years of age;
  • reduced breast blood flow;
  • problems with the immune system, blood clotting and healing;
  • cardiovascular or endocrine pathologies associated with surgical risk.

In addition, this surgery should not be performed on pregnant women, postpartum women or nursing mothers.

Breast augmentation prices vary depending on several factors, including the type of breast augmentation to be performed.

To find out how much a breast reduction, breast implant or mastopexy costs for your specific case, make an appointment with our plastic surgeon.

Schedule your appointment now!

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