Procedures - Breast

Breast Augmentation  |  Breast Lift  |  Breast Reduction

Dr. Anire Okpaku Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Miami, Florida believes all women want to look and feel their absolute best. Cosmetic breast enhancement in Miami helps women make lasting changes to their looks so they can enjoy their image and feel comfortable. The size and shape of a woman’s breasts can often play a critical role in a woman’s self image. 

Women in Miami and South Florida who are discontent with their breast size can often feel self-conscious or even embarrassed about their appearance. We offer a variety of breast enhancement procedures in Miami that will give the breasts a more balanced, symmetrical look while still appearing natural and beautiful. Talk to the doctor during your initial consultation about the available breast enhancement procedures.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure to accentuate the size and shape of a woman's breasts. While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not move the breasts closer together or lift sagging breasts. Breast augmentation is tremendous help to patients who desire a fuller profile, who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy or nursing, or who have undergone breast reconstruction and want to gain a more natural look again.

Reasons for Considering Breast Augmentation:
• Enhance body shape if breasts are too small.
• Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing.
• Equalize a difference in breast size (cup size) to gain breast symmetry.
• Reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy or injury.

General Procedure
Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant into the breast area in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is under a general anesthesia and asleep. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique, though less frequently used, involves making an incision in the armpit. Dr. Okpaku's preferred technique is making an inferior areola incision. The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.

During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Implants typically contain a saline solution (similar to saltwater) or silicone gel, both of these types of implants are FDA cleared for cosmetic surgery. Silicone gel implants can only be used on patients 22 years or older based on FDA timelines, although in special cases the implants can contain a silicone gel. In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), an inflatable implant may be used to allow the surgeon to adjust the level of inflation to attain breast symmetry and balance. Surgery typically takes about one hour.

Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, a specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. This pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by the physician after surgery.

Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. As a woman ages, skin loses some elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness. This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance. A breast lift may also be completed in conjunction with breast enlargement surgery (augmentation).

Reasons for Considering a Breast Lift:
• Elevate the breasts due to sagging caused by the effects of aging and gravity.
• Firm the breasts if they have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
• Re-align your nipples/areolas if they point down or to the side.
• Bring back natural suppleness after weight loss.

General Procedure
The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one to two hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast. Dr, Okpaku's preferred method is the vertical Mastopexy which produces a more natural appearance of the breast and a better shape. The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the "Benelli" or "Donut" Mastopexy, which is a circular incision around the nipple areola that lifts the breast just as much as the anchor, yet results in a better shape and less scars.

If the patient is having an implant inserted along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.

Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty rest in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, the patient will need to wear a specialized surgical bra for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given by the surgeon.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction (or reduction mammaplasty) is an enhancement procedure that reshapes the breasts in order to make them smaller, lighter, and firmer. Reduction is accomplished by removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. Large breasts can cause physical pain as well as emotional and social anxiety. Women who take advantage of the breast reduction procedure find that they are able to lead a healthier, more comfortable life, in addition to enjoying a beautiful, more proportionate appearance.

Reasons for Considering a Breast Reduction:
• Back, neck or shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts.
• Sagging breasts produced by their large size.
• Disproportionate body frame attributed to oversized breasts.
• Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of the breasts.
• Painful bra strap marks and/or rashes as a result of large breasts.

General Procedure
Techniques for breast reduction vary; however, the most common procedure involves an incision that circles the areola. From the areola, the incision goes down and follows the natural curve under the breast. The surgeon then removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin. Next, the nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher position and held in place by stitches. Occasionally, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size. The best procedure can be determined during the initial consultation visit.

Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest body-image changes. Patients are pleased with the elimination of physical pain caused by large breasts as well as a better proportioned body, an enhanced appearance, and better fitting clothes.

Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Bandages are applied immediately following surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, a specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery. Any pain can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the instructions given after surgery.