Something I really like doing is making videos about a certain type of plastic surgery procedure. I describe what happens during the procedure, what to expect, what the risks and benefits are, and what different options are available to you.
Since my patients seem to like these videos as much as I like making them, I thought I’d make one discussing 3 popular breast shaping techniques: breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction. You can read what I talk about (here in this blog) or you can watch my short 2-minute video by clicking on the button below.
Don’t like the size and shape of your breasts? 3 things you can do.
There are basically 3 common procedures you can have to shape your breasts:
Breast augmentation
If you desire larger, rounder, firmer breasts, breast augmentation is a great option. In this procedure, I take your natural breast size and shape and enhance and augment it, not really reshape it. By this I mean that if your breast is already droopy or there’s some loose skin there, breast augmentation is not necessarily going to make your breast appreciably tighter.
Likewise, if you have a mature breast and you’re the mother of two children, a breast augmentation is not going to return your breasts to the way they were when you were 20 years old. However, breast augmentation will give you larger, fuller, firmer breasts and a bigger bra cup size.
Breast lift
With a breast lift, I make a few incisions (they can vary—sometimes just around the areola, sometimes more extensive) in order to reshape the breast. Often, I’ll also insert an implant at the same time to create some fullness in the top of the chest. If the patient wants to maintain the same breast size, I’ll put in a small implant. If she wants to enlarge the size of her breasts, I’ll put in a larger implant. Both options are done while reshaping and resizing the breast.
Breast reduction
If a breast augmentation is to make the breast larger, a reduction is to make the breast smaller. Breast reduction does 3 things:
- It repositions the nipple and the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple), moving it higher up on the chest—not removing it but just repositioning it while it’s still attached.
- It removes extra tissue. The amount that gets taken out really can vary. For some women it’s a pound, for other women it might be as much as 2 or 3 pounds.
- It removes extra skin. Once I’ve decreased the size of the breast, I shape the skin around it to give a higher and tighter appearance to the breast.
I offer three types of breast implants, all of them safe
- Silicone breast implants—filled with silicone gel.
- Saline breast implants—filled with saline (sterile saltwater).
- Natrelle® gummy breast implants—filled with silicone gel. Choose from five profiles (low to extra full), four degrees of fullness (minimal to maximum) and three levels of cohesivity (gumminess).
Most women—and most plastic surgeons, myself included—prefer the look and feel of silicone implants rather than saline. Silicone implants are generally considered to look and feel more like real breast tissue, while saline implants are more prone to cause rippling of the skin. Women are also reporting high satisfaction rates with the new gummy versions because they can choose the size and shape of their implants for a more customized, unique look.
For more information on breast augmentation, download our free fact sheet!
Insurance coverage
It’s important to know that breast lifts and augmentations are considered cosmetic surgeries by insurance companies and usually aren’t covered, meaning that they’re self-pay. With breast reductions, if your symptoms are severe enough—neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain—they often will be covered by insurance companies. It’s a fairly common operation and usually covered.
Considering a breast shaping procedure?
Deciding to have breast shaping surgery is a big decision, impacting how your breasts look and feel for the rest of your life. If you are thinking about having breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction or any other breast procedure and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me and I will send you additional information prior to your appointment. I will assess the current appearance of your breasts, your reasons for wanting surgery, and your expectations. Then together, we will decide which options will bring you the beautiful results you’re looking for.
More information on breast shaping surgery
You might also find these pages helpful on my website:
- Breast Procedures
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Lift
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Revision
Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.
