Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)

Before   After

Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure for women and among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Youn performs this procedure by placing a saline or silicone gel filled implant under the crease in the breast, around the nipple or through the armpit. The implant can be placed under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. After surgery, breasts will appear "fuller" with an increase in volume, enhanced projection, and more shapely contour. Incision scars eventually fade over time and with saline implants are usually just over an inch long.  During a consultation, Dr. Youn will use “tester implants” to determine with you which size and type of implant would be best for your figure.

For those patients who have darker skin and/or are concerned about a scar on their breasts, Dr. Youn offers Transaxillary Endoscopic Breast Augmentation. He utilizes a fiberoptic endoscope to insert a saline-filled implant through a small incision in the armpit crease.

As of November, 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone breast implants in women over 22 years of age. Dr. Youn offers a full range of silicone gel implant options for his patients, including the Mentor Memory Gel implants.  Dr. Youn can insert the implant either through a small incision under the breast or around the areola (the colored area around the nipple). Silicone gel implants are unfortunately more expensive than saline implants and cannot be inserted through the armpit. 

Should I have my implants placed above or under the muscle?

Breast implants can be placed in a pocket either above the chest (pectoralis) muscle or below it.  Traditionally implants were placed above the muscle.  This allowed the implants to move with the rest of the breast tissue and provided for the shortest recovery.  Unfortunately, there does appear to be a higher risk of capsular contracture (excessive scar tissue around the implant) with implants placed above the muscle.  Because of this, many plastic surgeons now place the breast implants in a pocket below the pectoralis muscle.  This creates a lower risk of capsular contracture and arguably allows better visualization on a mammogram.  Unfortunately, in certain patients with wide-spaced breasts it can result in a space between the breasts which some women don’t like, along with movement of the implants when the pectoralis muscle is flexed.  It is also not ideal for patients whose breasts are a bit droopy.  At your consultation, Dr. Youn will explain the various risks and benefits of each type of implant pocket, and determine with you which is your best approach.

How long does it take to recover from breast augmentation?

Most patients will take a handful of pain pills and should take 1-2 weeks off of work.  Exercise can resume after 3 weeks.

How long does the surgery take?

Most breast augmentation surgeries with Dr. Youn take about an hour and a half, and are performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient. 

Click here to view before and after images.

Click here to view Dr. Youn’s recent appearance on Fox 2 News as he performed a silicone gel breast augmentation on a patient.

Corrective Breast Surgery

Dr. Youn performs corrective breast surgery for all types of problems, such as softening up of a hard breast (or capsular contracture). In most cases he can either open up or remove the scar tissue which causes the hardness and often place the implants in a brand new breast pocket. This can result in a soft, realistic breast with no discomfort.  However, any patient who has a complication or untoward result from previous breast surgery is at significantly higher risk than the average patient for a less-than-ideal result from revision surgery.

How long is the recovery time for corrective breast surgery?

It varies depending on what type of correction is needed.  In most patients the recovery time is significantly less than with the first surgery.  Dr. Youn will take extensive time during a consultation to inform you on your options available, as well as the recovery time that is necessary.

Click here to view before and after images.

Breast Reduction (Reduction mammaplasty)

Before   After

Large, pendulous breasts may cause a woman to potentially experience various medical problems caused by the excessive weight of the breast tissue. Problems with posture, skeletal deformities, back and neck pain, skin irritations and breathing problems are common with this condition. Bra straps often leave indentations in the shoulder area. Many women, especially teenage girls, are very self-conscious if they have unusually large breasts.

Breast reduction removes fat, glandular tissue, and excessive skin, resulting in smaller, lighter and firmer breasts that are better-shaped in proportion to the rest of the body. A breast reduction always combines removal of excess skin and breast tissue with a breast lift.  Traditionally, this has been performed with a scar around the areola, and then in an upside-down T-shape. The scar fades with time, over approximately 6 months to 1 year.  The scar may be nearly invisible in many patients after about 1-2 years, although is still permanent.

During your consultation, Dr. Youn will discuss your treatment options for breast reduction surgery. It can often be a covered benefit under certain insurance plans. Dr. Youn is a participating provider with Blue Cross, Cofinity, and Aetna, among others.

How long does the surgery take and what is the recovery like?

The surgery time is usually 3-4 hours, with general anesthesia.  Many patients spend the night in the hospital, although going home after a few hours is usually fine.  Recovery time is about 2 weeks before going back to work, 3 weeks before going back to the gym. 

Click here to view before and after images.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

	Model

Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin's natural elasticity begins to have an effect on the appearance of a woman's breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). Breast implants inserted in conjunction with a mastopexy procedure can increase both firmness and size.

Dr. Youn can often limit the scars of a mastopexy by utilizing the SPAIR technique, the “Lollipop Lift,” or the Benelli “Doughnut” Lift.   It is impossible, however, to have a breast lift without scars.  It is also important to realize that a breast augmentation alone will not lift the breasts.  It will only make them larger.  The only way to lift the breasts is with a mastopexy (breast lift). Most patients have their scars fade significantly within 6 months to 1 year. 

What is the recovery from mastopexy like?

It all depends on if breast implants are used.  If the breast lift is performed in conjunction with breast implant placement, the recovery time is similar to a breast augmentation (about 1.5-2 weeks).  If no implants are used, the recovery can be closer to a week, although this varies per individual.  Most patients wear a special support bra for 3 weeks after surgery.

During a consultation, Dr. Youn will determine with you what type of breast lift would be optimal for you.  Unfortunately, insurance plans do not pay for cosmetic breast lift surgery. 

Click here to view before and after images.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

Before   After

Over 60% of males will experience enlarged breasts over their lifetime. Usually this is temporary during childhood or puberty, but occasionally it can persist into adulthood. In addition, some medicines can cause gynecomastia. There are many techniques that Dr. Youn uses to reduce male breasts, usually leaving minimal scars. Often, this can be performed using liposuction. Occasionally a small scar underneath the areola is needed to remove thicker breast tissue.  The appropriate surgery can be determined during a consultation.  Recovery time for gynecomastia surgery is usually quite short, often only a week or so.  It has been our experience that insurance providers rarely pay for gynecomastia surgery.

Click here to view before and after images.

NIPPLE REDUCTION AND INVERTED NIPPLE REPAIR

The size of a patient’s nipples can be reduced using a fast and safe procedure. Inverted nipples can also be improved through minor surgery.

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