Breast Procedures
Enhance your natural figure and achieve a positive self-image with our breast surgery options.
Breast Augmentation
To many women, breast size is an important part of their appearance. If you wish to enhance the size of your breasts, augmentation might be right for you.
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a procedure that uses implants to increase breast size. Women have the option of choosing either gel or saline implants.
Procedural techniques: An incision is usually made under the breast. Through the incision, the implant is inserted either under breast tissue or under the chest muscle.
This is typically an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia.
Your results: Results are noticeable immediately, but are accompanied by some swelling and discomfort. You should rest and avoid heavy lifting for six weeks following your procedure.
Breast Correction
Breast asymmetry can be corrected with a surgical procedure that enlarges the smaller breast with augmentation or decreases the larger breast with a reduction. If nipple position is an issue, one or both of the nipples can be surgically repositioned.
Procedural techniques: Techniques depend on cosmetic procedures.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and firms breasts by removing excess skin and tightening tissue to improve shape and volume.
Procedural techniques: During surgery, excess skin is removed to raise the nipple and firm breast tissue. The location of the incision will vary depending upon amount of excess skin and amount of lifting required.
Your results: After surgery, swelling will subside within two to four weeks. Full results will be noticeable in one to three months post surgery and incision marks will continue to fade for up to a year.
Breast Reconstruction (After Cancer)
If a breast has been removed or disfigured due to cancer, there are several surgical techniques that can be used to reconstruct the breast:
Flap technique uses donor sites, such as the abdomen or back to form a natural breast shape.
Implants, saline or silicone, are used to shape to the new breast.
Tissue expansion involves stretching the skin. To accomplish this, a medical device called a balloon expander is inserted under the skin. In a second stage, the expander is exchanged to an implant. Periodically, this balloon is filled with saline solution, which slowly causes the skin to stretch.
Nipple and areola reconstruction is made possible by skin grafting and tattooing, which provides areola color.
TRAM flap, a procedure that is also known as transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap, uses muscle, fat and skin from your abdomen to reconstruct the breast.
Breast Reduction
Female Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
A breast reduction, also know as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to decrease the amount of excess skin and breast tissue in women whose breasts are disproportionate to their body structure.
Procedural techniques: During surgery, excess skin and breast tissue are removed, and the nipple will be relocated.
Your results: After surgery, swelling will subside within two to four weeks. Full results will be noticeable in two to four months post surgery and incision marks will continue to fade for up to a year.
Male Breast Reduction
Enlarged male breasts, also know as gynecomastia, can be a source of self-consciousness and embarrassment for those affected by this condition. Gynecomastia is characterized by excess localized fat or glandular tissue development, or a combination of the two.
Procedural steps: During surgery, excess skin and breast tissue are removed, and the nipple will be relocated, if necessary.
Your results: After surgery, swelling will subside within two to four weeks. Full results will be noticeable in two to four months post surgery and incision marks will continue to fade for up to a year.
UPMC's team of plastic surgeons are highly trained and experienced in providing exceptional care for a wide array of breast surgery procedures, including breast reduction in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas.