Breast surgery procedures are among the most frequently performed by plastic surgeons today. Modern breast cosmetic and reconstructive procedures allow creating, literally “sculpting” breasts of improved size, shape and overall physical appearance. Plastic surgery is the only procedure that produces long-lasting results and is therefore the best solution for many people seeking to enhance their breasts or treat breast-related health problems.
Breast surgeries can harmonize and balance body features; eliminate damage from ageing, breast-feeding, pregnancies, often or abrupt weight gains and losses. It is natural for people to have a desire to look their best, and we at RomiTal take pride in qualified individual approach to every customer’s needs and expectations. Below is a brief list of breast surgical procedures performed at our center:
All breast surgeries at RomiTal are performed in agreement with Consensus Declaration:
- Preliminary breast specialist consultations
- Ultrasonic scanning of mammary glands, mammography if indicated
- Use of mammary glands for implants
- Long postoperative monitoring
Plastic surgeons perform surgeries to correct shape and size of breasts to treat macromastia (disproportionate increase of mammary glands size), mastoptosis (descent of mammary glands), micromastia (decrease of mammary glands size), areolas and nipples shape and size irregularities. Both patient’s own tissues and implants with specially structured surface are used for surgeries. All reconstructive procedures on mammary glands at our Center are oncologically safe. Patients undergo complete breast examination that includes specialist inspection, mammography, and ultrasonic scanning of mammary glands before the surgery.
Surgeries to correct shape and size of mammary glands are of two main types:
- with the use of patient’s own tissues for correction
- with the use of special prosthetic devices
Performing surgeries
In case of macromastia and mastoptosis patient’s own tissues are used for corrective surgeries because their amount is sufficient for the formation of the organ. Modern absorbable and non-absorbable materials are used for skin cosmetic sutures that provide good healing and cosmetic effect.
Micromastia and post-lactation involution require surgical intervention with the use of special prosthetic devices. At our center we use prosthetic devices of well-known companies that are largest manufacturers of implants for plastic and reconstructive surgery in the world: McGhan Medical,Mentor, Polytech Silimed Europe Gmbh. Implants produced by these companies have textured surface that prevents formation of thick connective tissue capsule around the newly formed mammary gland. The material of the implant cover has high tensile and pressure strength. Special filling gel provides shape preservation and tissue sensation. Such implants can remain in the organism for over 15 years, after this their replacement with the new ones is possible. Presence of implants does not exclude the possibility of X-ray and ultrasonic examination of mammary glands in case of necessity. Special group of surgeries covers correction of nipples and areolas in case of dissatisfaction with their size and position.
Work with patients
After the patient is satisfied with implants safety with respect to oncological and other diseases they together with the doctor select type, size and volume of the implant. This choice is highly individual and depends on constitution, height and weight of the woman.
Then the access point from which the implant would be installed is determined. Possible variants are the fold under the mammary gland, areola or axilla. In any case incisions length is small and rarely exceeds 4-4.5, therefore after healing cicatrices become barely noticeable.
Implants can be situated immediately below the mammary gland if the patient has enough of her own tissue to securely cover the implant. Another option is to place the implant in the armpit. This gives the possibility to securely cover the upper pole of the implant if there is not enough subcutaneous cellular tissue. Each variant has its own advantages and disadvantages. Only the doctor can determine which of them is more suitable. Surgery is
performed under general anesthesia in the form of intravenous narcosis. The organism easily tolerates modern drugs that are used for anesthesia.
After the surgery a patient should preferably stay at a hospital for one day for the observation. The stitches heal in the following two weeks. The patient is recommended to wear special compressive underwear for 45 days, limit physical activity and abstain from visiting baths, saunas and the like.
Mammoplasty is contraindicated in the following cases:
- acute diseases or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- pancreatic diabetes and other diseases that can affect
the duration of postoperative rehabilitation period; - mental diseases;
- if a patient is prone to formation of keloid cicatrices;
- disturbance of blood coagulation.
Recommendations to the patients
Edemata and small hemorrhages are possible after any plastic surgery. Edema can disappear unevenly in the area of intervention. There is a slight risk of inflammation in the wound and formation of keloid cicatrices. The patient can drive a car without assistance and drink alcoholic drinks only in 48 hours after the surgery. Administration of any drugs during rehabilitation period without the surgeon’s permission is prohibited.
To the fifth anniversary of European Committee on Quality Assurance of Medical Devices in Plastic Surgery (EQUAM) Consensus Declaration
“Virtually all patients who decided to undergo mammoplasty are concerned about postoperative complications, particularly about probability of oncological diseases.” This question was studied in detail in leading European and American clinics. As a result, the mutual Consensus Declaration was approved on June 28, 1996. Excerpts of it are quoted below (according to Named B.V. materials):
- Currently available data indicate that silicone breast implants do not cause cancer nor other malignant diseases.
- At present, there is no scientifically identified “new disease” caused by silicone implants. There exists no such thing as silicone allergy, nor silicone (associated) disease nor intoxication.
- Silicone implants do not adversely affect pregnancy nor breast-feeding nor the health of breast-fed children.
- Patients with breast implants need regular follow-ups and, if indicated, appropriate mammography.
- Silicone is a widely used and essential material in every day life, at present. We have no better alternative material available.
- QUAM supports the use of silicone implants which are approved by CE makes.