Month: February 2017

Treating Breasts that Are Different Sizes

No two breasts are exactly alike. Most women notice that when they look close enough, one breast appears bigger than the other. Unfortunately for some, this asymmetry is more pronounced (occasionally even considered a deformity) and can cause a woman to feel excessively self-conscious.

Padded bras may help balance out breasts that are two different sizes, but surgery is the only way to permanently fix the problem. Here, the team at Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center explains how breast surgery can correct this type of asymmetry to improve self-image and confidence.

Option #1: Reduce the Larger Breast

The first option to fix asymmetry is to make the larger breast smaller through breast reduction. An incision may be made around the areola, sometimes extended down to the crease underneath the breast and along the crease. Through the incision, breast tissue, fat and skin are removed so the breast size and shape matches the smaller side. Liposuction may also be used to help contour the breast. The nipple and areola may be shifted to a higher location, if needed, and the areola can be reduced in size. By utilizing techniques to reshape the skin envelope of the breast, the nipple can be lifted along with a reduction in the size of the breast.

Option #2: Enlarge the Smaller Breast

If the patient prefers the size of the larger breast, the smaller breast can be enhanced to match it. Dr. Ereso has two options to augment small breasts: through the placement of an implant or via fat transfer.

Implants come filled with saline or silicone and are available in a variety of many different shapes and sizes. The implants are typically placed through an incision either along the lower breast crease, around the lower edge of the areola or through the armpit. A pocket is created in the native breast tissue or under the muscle to hold the implant.

Alternatively, the breast may be enlarged through a procedure involving transfer of your own fat. Fat transfer is a two-step procedure. First, excess body fat is removed by performing liposuction. The fat is purified before being carefully injected into the breast to add shape and volume. This is done strategically so that the fat develops its own blood supply for long-term results.

If one breast droops significantly more than the other, breast lift techniques can be incorporated into either breast reduction or breast enhancement surgery.

Learn More about Correcting Breast Asymmetry

For more information about correcting breast asymmetry, please contact Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center and request a consultation. Call 650-964-6600 or email us today to make your appointment.

How Many Areas Can Be Liposuctioned At One Time?

Nearly everyone is bothered by one “problem” area of excess body fat that they would like removed with liposuction. But what if you have two, or three, or even five problematic areas? Is liposuction able to treat multiple areas at one time? In this blog post, Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso explain whether it is possible to address more than one problem area in a single liposuction operation.

Other Factors Are More Important than Number of Treatment Areas

Most plastic surgeons are more concerned with the total volume of fat and fluid removed than the number of treatment areas. The general rule is that not more than five liters of fat should be removed in a single operation when performed on an outpatient basis (that number can be removed from one large surface area or several smaller surface areas). Higher volume liposuction can be done in certain circumstances, however, safety may become compromised. When treating patients of a healthy weight that simply want a bit of sculpting and shaping, it is highly unlikely that five liters of fat needs to be removed (even if multiple areas are treated).

Operating time is another important consideration – the longer the patient is under general anesthesia, the higher the risks. No more than six hours on the operating table is the general rule of thumb. Again, if the surgeon is removing a small amount of fat from multiple small areas, it is unlikely the operation will take longer than six hours.

As long as they meet these criteria, many liposuction surgeries address several problem areas at once. In fact, there are benefits to doing so – primarily the cost savings to the patient and that it requires only one recovery period.

Suitable Candidates for Liposuction

Wondering whether liposuction is right for you? Without meeting you, it is difficult for our doctors to tell whether you are a suitable candidate.

In general, good liposuction candidates are individuals that:

  • Are not overweight
  • Have tried to sculpt problem areas with diet and exercise (and been unsuccessful)
  • Have relatively elastic/firm skin
  • Are healthy and free of any serious medical conditions that could compromise the healing process

The best way to verify that you are a suitable candidate is to schedule a personal consultation. The surgeon will examine your body, inquire about your specific areas of concern and ask you to describe your ideal results before confirming that liposuction is the appropriate method of treatment.

Contact Our Liposuction Surgeons

The information in this post is for educational purposes only and does not represent formal medical advice. If you are interested in pursuing liposuction for multiple “problem” areas, you should personally consult with our doctors to learn more.

Schedule your appointment by contacting Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center either by phone at (650) 964-6600 or by sending us an email.