Breast Procedures

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure to increase the size of a woman's breast. Breast Augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed. There were over 310,000 breast augmentations performed in the United States in 2016. There are several reasons a breast augmentation might be considered:

• To improve the body contour of a woman by increasing her breast size in the situation where she simply feels that her breasts are too small.
• Often after pregnancy, breast volume can diminish. Breast augmentation can correct this.
• Assymetry, when the breasts are very different in size, can be corrected with breast augmentation.

Using either saline or silicone gel breast implants, Dr. Brooksher is able to increase the size of the breasts by one or more bra cup sizes. Your individual anatomy, skin quality, and desires will all influence the decision regarding the size of the implant that will be placed.

Is Breast Augmentation right for you?
Breast augmentation can improve not only your appearance but your self-confidence as well. Fuller breasts can even make the waistline appear slimmer. You are probably a good candidate for breast augmentation if you are healthy, and have a realistic understanding of how breast augmentation can improve your appearance.

Breast Implants
There are two main kinds of breast implants available today: Silicone Gel and Saline, which refers to the filler in the implant. The both have an outer shell made of silicone. Each type of implant has its advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Brooksher will review the pro’s and con’s of each so you can make the choice that is best for you.

Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
During your initial consultation, Dr. Brooksher will review your medical history and examine you. Of particular importance is the quality and tone of your breast tissue, as well as various measurements that will be taken. Every woman is different in these areas, and all of these issues, including your own personal desires, influence the selection of the proper implant for you.
An open and honest discussion of your expectations with Dr. Brooksher will always help in selecting the most appropriate implant and technique for you, and in creating the best possible outcome. Dr. Brooksher will always describe your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.

Where Your Breast Augmentation Will Be Performed
Your procedure would be done at YRMC in outpatient surgery.

Technique of Breast Augmentation
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy, your desires, and the quality of your tissues. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest or around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.
After an incision is made, Dr. Brooksher will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle. The breast implants are then centered beneath your nipples.
Placing the breast implants behind your chest muscle has several advantages. This location gives more soft tissue coverage over the implant, resulting in a more natural feeling breast. This location also seems to greatly lower the possibility of developing a capsular contracture. Mammograms are easier to perform and read with implants placed underneath the muscle.
The surgery usually takes about one hour to complete. Stitches are used to close the incisions on inside then small white tapes (sterile strips) are used to secure skin.

After Your Breast Augmentation
Discomfort is quite variable from patient to patient. Some patients have little to no discomfort, while others may experience more. You will be up and walking the day of your surgery. Most discomfort is well controlled by over the counter medication. Dr. Brooksher will give you prescription strength pain medication as well in case you need it.
A sports bra is usually worn for about 6 weeks after breast augmentation surgery. Usually there are no stitches to remove; swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear. You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job.
Follow Dr. Brooksher's advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Dr. Brooksher advises no strenuous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery to allow adequate healing time. Your scars will be firm and pink for several weeks. With time, your scars will begin to fade. Although scars never completely disappear, eventually breast augmentation scars are hardly noticeable.
Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women of appropriate age.

Your New Look
For most women, the result of breast augmentation is very satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their new, fuller appearance. Your decision to have a breast augmentation is a highly personal one. Dr. Brooksher takes great pride in being able to utilize all of his years of intensive training and experience and personable nature, to help you to achieve your goal of a fuller, more attractive you!

To schedule a personal breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Brooksher call (928)344-6263.

Cosmetic Breast Reduction

Cosmetic breast reduction also referred to as reduction mammoplasty. It is a procedure that reduces your breasts to a size that is the shape and size you choose, and much better proportioned to your body. The procedure removes excess skin, fat, and breast tissue and aligns the nipple and areola into a more normal position.

Is Breast Reduction Right for You?
The best candidates for breast reduction are nonsmoking, healthy women with realistic expectations of what breast reduction surgery can achieve: greatly improved size and shape of the breasts with a reduction of very large breasts. The tradeoff for all of this is scars on the breast. The great majority of women are more than happy to have scars on theirs breasts in exchange for improved breast shape and size.
Your Breast Reduction Consultation with Dr. Brooksher
Dr. Brooksher will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. He will take measurements of your breasts. He will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin. He will show you where the location of the incisions will be, as well as the approximate final locations of the nipple and areola. Upon completion of your consultation you will be given information on surgical facility and the costs.

Before Your Breast Reduction Surgery
You will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including medications to take and when to stop eating and drinking before surgery.
As you will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery, arrangements should be made for transportation home. Cosmetic breast reduction surgery is performed at YRMC outpatient surgery (go home the same day).

After Your Breast Reduction
After surgery, you will have bandages on your breasts covered with a gently elastic wrap for support. For the vast majority of patients, drains are not needed. Dr. Brooksher will examine you the day after surgery; you will continue wearing a sports bra for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising resolve.
In general, Breast Reduction is not a very painful procedure. If there is any discomfort, it is usually mild. Dr. Brooksher will prescribe medication to ease discomfort.

Getting Back to Normal after Breast Reduction
You are encouraged to be up and walking the day of the procedure. Light activity is encouraged starting the day after your surgery. You should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about 6 weeks. Most women can return to light work and social activities in about one week.

Your New and Improved Shape
It can take several weeks for all of the swelling and bruising to completely go away. Your breasts will continue to settle into their new contour for up to a year. Cosmetic breast reduction results are one of the quickest body-image changes. Your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit you better. You may need some time to adjust to your new image - as will your family and friends. Be patient with yourself, and with them.
Gravity will always be a force trying to change breast shape, and after six weeks a good supportive bra should be worn as often as possible.
Dr. Brooksher will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. However, it is important to remember that breast reduction scars are permanent. With time, breast reduction scars gradually become less obvious. Eventually they may fade in to thin white lines. Incisions are always placed low on the breast; scars will not be visible while wearing low-cut tops.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a very common condition affecting forty to sixty percent of men. Gynecomastia refers to enlargement of the male breast. Most of the time there is no cause, although sometimes gynecomastia can be linked to a hormonal problem, steroid use, various medications, or marijuana use.

Gynecomastia can be an embarrassing and psychologically debilitating problem. Gynecomastia surgery can help men in this situation. Gynecomastia surgery removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases excess skin is removed as well. This results in a more appropriately contoured chest.

Is Breast Reduction Right for You?
The best candidates for breast reduction are nonsmoking, healthy women with realistic expectations of what breast reduction surgery can achieve: greatly improved size and shape of the breasts with a reduction of very large breasts. The tradeoff for all of this is scars on the breast. The great majority of women are more than happy to have scars on theirs breasts in exchange for improved breast shape and size.

Your Breast Reduction Consultation with Dr. Brooksher
Dr. Brooksher will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. He will take measurements of your breasts. He will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin. He will show you where the location of the incisions will be, as well as the approximate final locations of the nipple and areola. Upon completion of your consultation you will be given information on surgical facility and the costs.

Before Your Breast Reduction Surgery
You will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including medications to take and when to stop eating and drinking before surgery.
As you will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery, arrangements should be made for transportation home. Cosmetic breast reduction surgery is performed at YRMC outpatient surgery (go home the same day).

After Your Breast Reduction
After surgery, you will have bandages on your breasts covered with a gently elastic wrap for support. For the vast majority of patients, drains are not needed. Dr. Brooksher will examine you the day after surgery; you will continue wearing a sports bra for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising resolve.
In general, Breast Reduction is not a very painful procedure. If there is any discomfort, it is usually mild. Dr. Brooksher will prescribe medication to ease discomfort.

Getting Back to Normal after Breast Reduction
You are encouraged to be up and walking the day of the procedure. Light activity is encouraged starting the day after your surgery. You should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about 6 weeks. Most women can return to light work and social activities in about one week.

Your New and Improved Shape
It can take several weeks for all of the swelling and bruising to completely go away. Your breasts will continue to settle into their new contour for up to a year. Cosmetic breast reduction results are one of the quickest body-image changes. Your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit you better. You may need some time to adjust to your new image - as will your family and friends. Be patient with yourself, and with them.
Gravity will always be a force trying to change breast shape, and after six weeks a good supportive bra should be worn as often as possible.
Dr. Brooksher will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. However, it is important to remember that breast reduction scars are permanent. With time, breast reduction scars gradually become less obvious. Eventually they may fade in to thin white lines. Incisions are always placed low on the breast; scars will not be visible while wearing low-cut tops.

Mastopexy

A woman's breasts can lose their youthful shape over time for a number of reasons. Gravity, pregnancy, breast feeding, and genetics can all gradually cause undesirable changes in the breast contour. Loss of skin elasticity and breast volume contribute to the loss of firmness and sagging appearance. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to reshape and lift the breast back to its more youthful contour.

Is Breast Lift or Mastopexy Right for You?
Reshaping your breasts to more attractive and youthful contour can improve your appearance and self-confidence. The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are nonsmokers and are realistic about what breast lift surgery can accomplish: a more youthful and attractive breast shape and contour, but with the tradeoff of a scar.
It is very common for women to want to correct changes in their breast contour after pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant again, you may wish to postpone breast lift surgery as the new pregnancy may again cause stretching of the breast tissue and loss of volume, offsetting the results of the surgery.

Your Breast Lift Consultation with Dr. Brooksher
During your consultation, it is important to discuss your expectations openly and honestly with Dr. Brooksher. Every patient has different anatomy and a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for her breasts. It is important for Dr. Brooksher to have a clear understanding of the look that you would like to achieve. Dr. Brooksher will be equally open and honest with you in recommending the best procedure to try and achieve that goal.
Dr. Brooksher will review your medical history, and examine your breasts and take measurements of them. He will thoroughly discuss your specific issues that affect the procedure. He will also explain the procedure in detail, including its risks and limitations and will show you where the scars will be.

Before Your Breast Lift Surgery
Dr. Brooksher may require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery, depending on your age and family history. You will also be given instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including which medications to take or avoid.
Where Your Breast Lift will be Performed
Safety is always Dr. Brooksher's number one priority. Mastopexy is usually done on an outpatient basis at YRMC outpatient surgery.

How a Breast Lift is done
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to two and a half hours. Techniques vary depending on the amount of skin excess present as well as the starting volume and skin quality of the breasts. Incisions are made to remove areas of excess breast skin and to place the nipple and areola in their new position. These incisions are carefully designed to they are as inconspicuous as possible after everything has healed. After removal of the excess skin, the nipple and areola are lifted into their new, higher position. The breast tissue and remaining skin are reshaped and secured into their new position with stitches. The final position of the incisions are usually located around the areola and in a vertical line from the areola down to the breast crease. A horizontal incision in the breast crease may be required for patients with a relatively large excess of skin.
In some circumstances, such as when the breasts are smaller or when there is a relatively small amount of excess skin and less lift needed, a procedure creating much smaller scars can be done. Some options are called “crescent “ lift, or “doughnut” mastopexy. These two would only involve scarring around the areola.

After Your Breast Lift
After surgery, your breasts will be covered with gauze dressings and a surgical bra or elastic bandage. There is a normal amount of swelling and bruising to be expected. Dr. Brooksher will prescribe for you medication for any discomfort you may feel.
Dr. Brooksher will see you the next day after your surgery and make sure everything is progressing as planned.

Getting Back to Normal after your Breast Lift
You will be up and walking after your surgery. Light activity is encouraged in the days following your breast lift. Most patients feel up to returning to light work after about one week. You should avoid heavy lifting for several weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Brooksher

Your New Look
Dr. Brooksher will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. However, it is important to remember that mastopexy scars are permanent. While certainly noticeable immediately after surgery, with time they gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin lines. The scars are designed to they are low on the breast, so they are not visible when wearing low-cut tops.
You should also keep in mind that a breast lift will not last forever--the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will change your outcome in the future.