Breast Reconstruction Blog Archives - Peter T. Hetzler M.D. FACS https://www.drpeterhetzler.com/category/breast-reconstruction/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:46:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Implant Revision https://www.drpeterhetzler.com/implant-revision/ https://www.drpeterhetzler.com/implant-revision/#respond Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:41:44 +0000 http://www.drpeterhetzler.com/?p=1404 Any cosmetic surgery isn’t cut and dried. There are variations and reasons that a person may later need either another surgery to address lingering issues, or to make changes. Breast augmentation isn’t a perfect science, and a patient may desire revision surgery. Whether she decided she would simply like larger implants or whether there has […]

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Breast Reconstruction Little Silver, NJAny cosmetic surgery isn’t cut and dried. There are variations and reasons that a person may later need either another surgery to address lingering issues, or to make changes.

Breast augmentation isn’t a perfect science, and a patient may desire revision surgery. Whether she decided she would simply like larger implants or whether there has been some other issue, revision surgery is generally easier than the original surgery. Here are some reasons Dr. Hetzler has performed revision surgery, and the approach taken for each.

Capsular contracture

Besides possible rupturing of the implant, this is the main side effect of breast augmentation. When an implant (or any foreign object) is placed into the body, there is a reaction, as you would assume. This reaction is called the “capsule” and it is made up of calcified cells and scar tissue. If this capsule becomes very thick and causes the implant to shift or the breast to feel very firm, or if there is pain from the constricting scar tissue, this is called capsular contracture. When this occurs, surgery is usually required. If the capsule is very calcified, Dr. Hetzler will remove it along with the implant. If that hasn’t happened, he may leave the capsule. If there is a rupture of a silicone implant, the capsule may contain silicone shell fragments, silicone gel, and inflammatory cells that all need to be removed prior to placing new implants.

Changing the implant size

Sometimes a woman decides she would like a different size implant. This isn’t a decision that should be made soon after surgery, however. Dr. Hetzler advises patients to be, well, patient. He wants them to wait one full year before deciding to make a change. This will allow the implants to fully settle into their final position, and any residual swelling will have passed by then. If the patient still wants to change her implant size, Dr. Hetzler will enter through the original incision. If a larger implant is desired, he will increase the size of the pocket, the space in the breast to hold the implant. If the patient seeks smaller implants, the size of the pocket is reduced with sutures to fit the smaller implants. In cases of reduction, a breast lift may be done in conjunction with the implant revision to remove any sagging tissue and possibly relocate the nipples.

Implant position

Sometimes a less experienced surgeon will place the implant pockets either too far away or too close together and the patient is not happy with the placement. In these cases, the scar tissue from the capsule can be used to reconstruct new pockets in better positions.

Implant rippling

Implant rippling is usually a result of saline implants that have been placed atop the chest muscle. There isn’t enough skin and tissue to cover the implant, and rippling occurs. Sometimes the edge of the implant may even be able to be felt. Dr. Hetzler enters through the original incisions and replaces the implants with better muscle coverage. This may involve switching implant types and/or placing them in new breast pockets. Silicone gel implants have less occurrence of rippling, and gummy bear implants won’t ripple.

Implant removal

When a patient decides she no longer wants to have her implants, they are removed through the same incisions. Dr. Hetzler will also remove the capsule if it is calcified and thick. Many times, he will recommend a breast lift at the same time to remove excess sagging skin and breast tissue.

It’s important to remember that breast augmentation is major surgery. It’s not something to trust to a low-ball estimate or an inexperienced practitioner. Dr. Hetzler is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience. Do your research beforehand and the odds are you’ll be happy with your results.

If you have questions about possibly revision surgery, or anything to do with implants and augmentation, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Hetzler at (732) 219-0447.

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Do Uneven Breasts Make You Self-Conscious? https://www.drpeterhetzler.com/uneven-breasts-make-self-conscious/ https://www.drpeterhetzler.com/uneven-breasts-make-self-conscious/#respond Sat, 30 Jun 2018 08:20:53 +0000 http://www.drpeterhetzler.com/?p=1381 Many women have uneven breasts. It’s a very common fact of anatomy affecting roughly one half of all women. But sometimes, asymmetry can make a woman feel self-conscious when naked or in a swimsuit. No one should feel that way about her body. To help get past these thoughts, Dr. Hetzler offers various options to […]

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Breast Reconstruction  Little Silver, NJMany women have uneven breasts. It’s a very common fact of anatomy affecting roughly one half of all women. But sometimes, asymmetry can make a woman feel self-conscious when naked or in a swimsuit. No one should feel that way about her body. To help get past these thoughts, Dr. Hetzler offers various options to even out the differences between breasts. This may require breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a breast reduction, depending, of course, on the patient’s individual situation.

So that you understand why your breasts may be uneven, here’s some information that may help.

Breast size fluctuates

You probably already know this, but your breasts are actually glands contained within your chest wall. Each breast weighs an average of seven to 10 ounces, and is made up of from 12 to 20 lobes that branch out from the nipple, kind of like bicycle spokes. Each of these lobes has a central duct that opens at the nipple, the exit location for milk during breastfeeding.

You’ve no doubt noticed fluctuation in your breast size during ovulation and menstruation. Breasts usually are fuller, more even, and more sensitive during ovulation. This is due to your body retaining water and also the increased blood flow during that phase of your cycle. Then during menstruation, your breasts tend to shrink back to their normal shapes and sizes.

But why are they sometimes uneven?

Here are four reasons why your breasts may be uneven:

  • Anatomy

Normal anatomy is one reason. Most of our body parts aren’t exactly symmetrical. Look at your eyebrows — they’re likely to be a little different in size and shape. Your legs and arms probably aren’t even exactly the same length. It’s normal.

  • Puberty

Hormonal changes that are raging during puberty can initiate one breast to begin growing before the other. Then, since the body will trigger them to stop growing at the same time, you’re left with somewhat uneven breasts. Again, really normal.

  • Lumps

Lumps can develop in your breasts. Some come and go. Others you may want to have surgically removed. Most are benign and are caused by a variety of conditions or sometimes from a traumatic injury. Lumps can be fluid-filled sacs called cysts. They can be caused by fibrocystic breasts, where the breasts feel lumpy or rope-like. Or they can be due to fibroadenoma, a condition that causes breast lumps in adolescent girls and women under age 30.

  • Breast cancer

Generally this applies to women whose breasts have been even, but suddenly begin to become more and more asymmetrical. Sudden changes in the size, shape, and appearance of one of your breasts can be a symptom of breast cancer and needs immediate attention from your gynecologist.

Now you know that asymmetrical breasts are not abnormal in the least. Still, if they’re affecting the way you see yourself and make you feel self-conscious, you may want to consider one of your surgical options with Dr. Hetzler to even out your breasts. If so, call us for a consultation, (732) 219-0447.

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