This is a continuation of my last post answering some questions dealing with breast shaping options and why a woman might choose one option versus another:

Why would a woman choose to have a breast augmentation? 

The most common concern that I hear from a woman considering breast augmentation (augmentation mammaplasty) is that she does not feel that her upper body is proportional with her lower body.  She may have gone through adolescence with her mother’s assurances, hoping to have more breast development than she did.  Often times, her mother or sister has what she believes to be an ideal breast size.  It is possible that a woman with small breasts  who has hypertrophy of her breasts with pregnancy and breast feeding likes the appearance of her larger breasts.  She may become disappointed with the involution she experiences when she stops breast feeding.  Breast augmentation can be considered by any woman looking to increase the size of her breasts. 

 Why would a woman choose to have a breast lift? 

Unfortunately, the soft tissues of our bodies are constantly battling gravity.  As we age, the support structures that keep these tissues in an elevated and youthful appearing position become lax and gravity begins to pull them down.  With this, we see descent of these tissues, a process that occurs in most areas of our bodies.  The breast is no exception.  With time, the breast mass and the position of the nipple areolar complex descends on the chest wall.  This is known medically as “breast ptosis.”  The upper portion of the breast will flatten as the breast mound descends and ultimately the nipple areolar complex may assume a position at the lowermost pole of the breast.  This is the natural history of breast aging.  This can also be seen in a woman who has undergone massive weight loss.  A mastopexy or “breast lift” can be performed in a woman who has breast ptosis and who would like to improve the position of her nipple areolar complex and the contour of her breasts.  if a woman wants to add volume to her breasts at the time of her breast lift procedure, this is possible using breast implants. 

In my next post, I’ll continue with my discussion about breast contouring procedures.  Our websites  www.beauty-surgeon.com and www.drmckane.com have additional information about breast contouring procedures and before and after photographs for review.  I invite you to schedule a consultation with me if you would like more information about these procedures.  Please feel free to contact our office at (713) 661-5255. 

-Brice W. McKane, M.D.

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