Breast Surgery
Breast enhancement procedures available at our practice help patients achieve a new breast size, improve shape and projection, relieve discomfort, and even rebuild the breasts after a mastectomy. Patients pursuing breast surgeries can benefit from the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon Kevin Day, MD, who has thirteen years of experience in the mid-Willamette Valley. At Brighter Day Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery we take a customized approach to breast surgery that helps patients feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
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Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery is performed to add volume and provide a fuller appearance and/or increased projection of the breasts. The procedure uses breast implants that are filled with either sterile saline (salt water) or cohesive silicone gel. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day. Breast augmentation can be performed alone or in conjunction with a mastopexy (breast lift).
Breast Lift
There are multiple causes for breast tissue to develop ptosis, or a “drooping” appearance. Large breast size, pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, weight gain or weight loss, and genetics can all play a role. A mastopexy, or breast lift, involves elevation of the breast tissue to a more youthful position above the inframammary fold. The surgery can also utilize adjacent breast and soft tissue to auto-augment the breast, meaning your own tissue is used instead of an implant to increase breast volume. Mastopexy is typically performed as an outpatient operation.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is typically performed to relieve multiple symptoms arising from a large breast size. Neck, shoulder, and back strain are common among heavy-breasted women. Sweat trapping under the breasts can lead to skin irritation, chafing, and yeast infections. Wearing a bra to offset the strain on the neck and back often just leads to grooving of the shoulders and pain from bra straps. Finding clothing that fits appropriately can be difficult, if not impossible, without spending a fortune on custom fitted clothing, and exercising can be more difficult due to discomfort. Breast reduction surgery accomplishes two main goals: to reduce the overall volume and weight of the breasts and, somewhat similar to a breast lift, elevate the remaining tissue above the inframammary fold (the bottom border of the breast). This offloads the weight and can significantly reduce or eliminate discomfort. On average, breast reduction surgery carries the highest overall patient satisfaction scores of any procedure performed by plastic surgeons.
Breast Reconstruction
Approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment along with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy in select cases. Surgical treatment could involve removing the tumor alone followed by radiation therapy, removing the tumor as part of a breast reduction surgery (known as oncoplastic breast reduction), or removal of the entire breast (mastectomy). Often, these operations can leave a patient feeling disfigured or unattractive. Breast reconstruction surgery returns the breast to a more natural form using breast implants, your own tissues from adjacent areas or elsewhere on the body, and/or grafting your own fat to fill in tissue deficiencies created by the initial operation.
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, referral to a plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction options following tumor removal or mastectomy is your right. It is federally mandated that breast reconstruction is not considered a strictly cosmetic operation. Be sure to inquire with your medical or surgical oncologist for a referral.
Transgender Top Surgery
Dr. Day performs top surgery for both transgender females and males. For transgender females, breast augmentation is performed to produce a fuller bustline. For transgender males, typical procedures include breast reduction or mastectomy, removal of excess breast skin, and nipple repositioning, nipple grafting, or nipple removal based on patient needs or preferences for a more masculine appearance. Dr. Day and his staff have thirteen years of experience serving the transgender community in the mid-Willamette Valley and approach each outpatient procedure with compassion.
To learn more about breast surgeries or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Day, contact our office today.