Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty) in Austin

What is Breast Augmentation?
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Click here to download Dr. Walden's article in which the survey results of her breast augmentation patient population are published

Augmentation mammaplasty is typically performed to enlarge small breasts, underdeveloped breasts or breasts that have decreased in size after a woman has had children. The procedure is accomplished by surgically inserting an implant behind each breast.

Breast augmentation is often times oversimplified as a procedure. Rather, it entails a fair amount of planning which takes into consideration a multitude of factors including the person's height, weight, body habitus, chest wall measurements, their desired breast size and shape, and selected photographs of their desired breast size and shape. The procedure may be combined with others such as a breast lift for more satisfying results. As always, communication between physician and patient is critical.

The physician must weigh and convey other, additional, considerations which include implant location (behind the breast tissue or behind the muscle), implant type (round or teardrop), implant surface (smooth or textured), incision placement (armpit, around the areola or beneath the breast). Each consideration should be individualized to each respective patient. Both saline and silicone gel- filled breast implants are available today for this purpose. Dr. Walden performs many implant-related procedures and serves as a consultant to both of the major breast implant manufacturing companies in the United States, Mentor and Allergan.

Dr. Walden's Philosophy on Breast Augmentation »

Top Ten Things You Should Know About Silicone Gel-Filled Implants, by Dr. Jennifer Walden »

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Click to see Dr. Walden discussing several reasons that patients undergo breast augmentation surgery	Click to see Dr. Walden on the news regarding the latest technologies in breast surgery

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Austin

What is a Breast lift?
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Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin's natural elasticity begins to have an effect on the appearance of a woman's breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is performed to return youthful shape and lift to breasts that have sagged as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, loss of the skin's natural elasticity or simply the effects of gravity. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).

The traditional technique for this procedure entails an incision which encircles the areola continues vertically down the breast and traces the inframammary fold. Once again, communication, planning, and proper execution are critical to a successful outcome. The resultant breast shape and lines of closure should prove to be aesthetically pleasing, and the breast shape is ideally conical and rounded, not boxy or square.

A different approach to this procedure is referred to as the vertical mammaplasty. This technique was modified by Madame Madeline Lejour, M.D., a Belgian plastic surgeon, in 1989. The vertical mammaplasty, or Lejour technique, as it is often referred entails an incision around the areola with a vertical limb only. There is no horizontal incision beneath the breast mound, and liposuction at the breast base to improve overall contour is used. This distinguishing feature as well as the creation of a final breast shape which is consistently conical make this technique preferable to the traditional approach described above in select individuals. Dr Walden will determine if this procedure is appropriate for you at your consultation.

For purposes of breast lift, both the traditional technique as well as the vertical mammaplasty are available. In our opinion, the vertical mammaplasty maintains a clear advantage in select patients given less scarring. The procedure can be performed alone or in combination with breast augmentation for added volume.

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Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty) in Austin

Breast reduction is performed to correct large, sagging breasts. Oversized breasts interfere with normal function and physical activity by causing back pain, postural problems, deformities of the back and shoulders, skin rashes under the breasts and breast pain. Though classified as a reconstructive procedure, breast reduction surgery has an important aesthetic component improving the shape of the breasts and enhancing one's overall appearance by making the breasts more proportional to the rest of the body. Many women are very self-conscious if they have unusually large breasts. With breast reduction surgery, women of all ages are able to have breasts that are better shaped and in proportion.

The traditional technique for this procedure entails an incision which encircles the areola continues vertically down the breast and traces the inframammary fold. Once again, communication, planning and proper execution are critical to a successful outcome. Moreover, the resultant breast shape and lines of closure should prove to be aesthetically pleasing, and the breast shape optimally is conical and rounded, not boxy or square. Newer vertical breast reduction techniques available in selected patients involve minimal incisions and less scarring.

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Breast Augmentation and Uplift (Augmentation/Mastopexy) in Austin

Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin's natural elasticity begins to have an effect on the appearance of a woman's breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness. Women who lose volume and tone postpartum or after weight loss may desire breast enlargement as well as a lift (mastopexy) during one procedure. This is a detail-oriented procedure to achieve two goals: 1) a naturally appearing, enhanced breast and 2) a lifted nipple-areola complex.

A technique referred to as "tailor-tacking" helps to ensure accuracy. During this procedure, the augmentation is traditionally performed first. The operating room table is then brought to a fully upright sitting position wherein temporary sutures are placed to provide for the uplift much the same way that a tailor does when altering a garment. The breast mound is thereby brought into harmony with the underlying implant. Should these temporary sutures prove satisfactory, they are delineated, the uplift is definitively performed and permanent sutures placed. Both saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants may be used to enhance the breast in this procedure, and you can decide what is right for you at consultation with Dr. Walden.

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Breast Reconstruction in Austin

Breast cancer occurs in 1 in 8 women. Dr. Walden feels very strongly that reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy due to cancer or other disease is quite possible with today's surgical procedures and should be offered to every breast cancer patient. Fortunately, current federal legislation requires group health plans and health issuers that provide medical and surgical benefits with respect to mastectomy to cover the cost of reconstructive breast surgery. Using the newest medical techniques, a plastic surgeon is often able to create a breast that is similar in form and appearance to that of the natural breast. A consultation will provide you with information on the many available options for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

Also, teenagers and young women often develop with major breast asymmetries. These congenital problems range from a condition known as Poland's Syndrome that affects the chest wall, muscle, and breast, to less severe forms of congenital asymmetry that may be equally as devastating to a patient. Dr. Walden especially enjoys helping women of all ages with these issues and will provide more detailed information on your diagnosis and treatment plan at consultation.

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