Breast
Breasts play a key role in the overall appearance of the body. Sometimes we may become dissatisfied with the shape, size, or appearance of our breasts. There are many reasons why why this occurs: aging, weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormone imbalance, or simply genetics.
Dr. Rodrigues offers several procedures that help restore or transform your breasts to create a natural looking result that best expresses you.
He offers many breast procedures including:
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast augmentation with lift
- Breast lift
- Breast reconstruction
- Breast reduction
- Breast revision
- Male breast reduction for gynecomastia
As part of his patient-centric care, Dr. Rodrigues will be happy to meet with you personally to explore the best treatment options for your desired result.
Breast Augmentation
Perhaps you dream of larger, rounder, firmer breasts, or breasts that are more youthful looking. If so, a Breast Augmentation may be the solution for you.
Breast Augmentation is a common surgical procedure that contours the breast by placing an implant to improve the shape, volume and size of the breast. Breast augmentation also aids in restoring the breast shape after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or weight gain as well as aging.
There are two main types of breast implants.
-Saline breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with a sterile saline solution.
-Silicone Implants are made of a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel that is designed to have a more natural feel similar to breast tissue.
Both implant types are approved by the FDA.
If you are a female over the age of 18 and are interested in increasing the size, shape and contour of your breasts, are in overall good health and do not smoke. You may be an excellent candidate for Breast Augmentation.
Breast augmentation surgery is performed under General Anesthesia as an outpatient (same day) surgery. Surgery is performed at an Accredited Surgical Center or in an Outpatient Hospital Setting. A breast implant either, Saline (salt water) or Silicone (silicone gel) is placed into the breast by a small incision. There are many different options for incision placement. Under the breast (inframammary incision), around the areola (periareolar incision) or in the armpit (transaxillary incision). The breast implant is either placed under the muscle (submuscular) or under the breast tissue (subglandular). Contouring of the breast is then performed to acquire adequate placement of the implant and shape of the breast.
Breast augmentation improves the shape and size of the breast, but in some cases a breast mastopexy (breast lift) is needed to remove sagging skin and tissue that gets stretched out over time from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or weight gain and aging. A breast mastopexy procedure can be done at the same time as a breast augmentation surgery if needed. It will be determined if you need a breast mastopexy at the time of your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Breast Implants will typically sit high on the chest wall immediately following surgery. It takes some time for the breasts to soften, round out and drop into their breast pocket. Post Operative breast massages will be needed to help this process. Demonstration of breast massaging will be done at your post-operative appointments and continue throughout the lifetime of your implants.
Post-Operative pain, swelling and bruising are expected following surgery. Pain can be controlled with pain medication. Swelling and bruising will also be presents and will diminish within the first couple of weeks following surgery. Each individual person will heal differently, so its difficult to determine exactly how long swelling and bruising will last.
Average recovery is approximately 4 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Most patients will return to work within 3-5 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: infection, bleeding, capsular contracture (thickened scar tissue), implant deflation or rupture, decreased sensation or wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.
Breast Augmentation with Lift
It is common for breasts to begin to lose their firmness, shape and size when we reach midlife. This is commonly due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or weight gain and aging.
Breast augmentation with a lift is a common surgical procedure that contours the breast by placing an implant to restore the shape, volume and size of the breast. Combing a breast lift procedure with a breast augmentation will not only increase the size of your breast, but will also reposition and reshape the breasts to give a more youthful appearance to the breast.
Do you feel as though you have sagging in your breasts? Would you like to increase the size of your breasts as well as improve the sagging? Are you in overall good health and do not smoke? Do you have realistic expectations for surgery outcomes and are okay with having scarring on your breasts? If so, then you may be an excellent candidate for breast augmentation with a lift procedure.
Breast augmentation with a lift procedure is performed under General Anesthesia as an outpatient (same day) surgery. Surgery is performed at an Accredited Surgical Center or an Outpatient Hospital Setting. A breast implant either Saline (salt water) or Silicone (silicone gel) is placed into the breast by a small incision placed in natural creases of the breast to minimize visible scarring. Contouring of the breast is then performed to acquire adequate placement of the implant. A breast lift is then performed to remove sagging skin and the breast tissue is re-positioned on the chest to lift the breast to a more youthful appearance and incisions are closed with sutures.
There are multiples types of breast lift procedures which all perform a different amount of lifting. It will be determined if you need a breast mastopexy and which type would be best for you at the time of your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Breast Implants will typically sit high on the chest wall immediately following surgery. It takes some time for the breasts to soften, round out and drop into their breast pocket. Post-operative breast massages will be needed to help this process. Demonstration of breast massaging will be done at your post-operative appointments and continue throughout the lifetime of your implants.
Post-operative pain, swelling and bruising are expected following surgery. Pain can be controlled with pain medication. Swelling and bruising will also be presents and will diminish within the first couple of weeks following surgery. Initially, breast lift incisions will be covered with steri-strips to protect the breast lift incision and help relieve tension to improve scar healing. The steri-strips are usually present for 2 weeks following surgery. At post-operative visits, the steri-strips will be removed and sutures will be trimmed. Scar treatments will be recommended to aid scar healing following surgery until the scars are no longer pink in color. Scars take time to heal and scar maturity will occur over the first year following surgery.
Average recovery is approximately 4 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Most patients will return to work within 3-5 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: infection, bleeding, capsular contracture (thickened scar tissue), implant deflation or rupture, decreased sensation or wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.
Breast Lift
Often, a woman’s breasts retain their shape as they age or after childbearing, but simply begin to droop or sag. Other times, heredity plays a large part in the shape of a woman’s breast contours, leaving them not quite as perky as she would like.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a term that is used to describe a variety of different breast shaping procedures. The purpose of a breast lift procedure is to tighten and reshape the breast. Breast lift procedures are commonly performed by removing undesired sagging breast skin and breast tissue that droops for a variety of different causes such as: pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, weight gain and simply aging.
Do you like the size of your breasts, but would like to have your breasts lifted to a more youthful height and appearance? Are you in overall good health and do not smoke? Do you have realistic expectations for surgery outcomes and are okay with having scarring on your breasts? If so, then you may be an excellent candidate for breast lift procedure.
During a breast lift procedure, the excess sagging skin is removed, the breast tissue is repositioned and the nipple placement is elevated to obtain a more youthful, desirable appearance to the breast shape.
A breast lift is commonly performed along with a breast augmentation (breast implant) procedure to obtain increased breast volume along with reshaping and lifting the breast tissue. A breast lift procedure can be done without an implant if the patient is happy with the size of their breasts, but only wishes to have the placement of the breast tissue altered.
There are many different types of breast lift procedures. Determination of the type and amount of lifting will be determined during your personal consultation with Dr. Rodrigues. It is also important to have a realistic attitude about the result of a cosmetic procedure.
Breast lifts are commonly performed in an outpatient (same day) Accredited Surgical Center or an Outpatient Hospital setting under general anesthesia. In some cases breast lifts can also be performed under local anesthetic injection in addition to an oral sedative to help you relax during your surgical procedure in the office procedure room. Specific qualifications must be met to qualify for in-office procedures and will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Post-Operative pain, swelling and bruising will be present. Pain can be controlled with pain medication. Soreness and tightness of the chest will be presents for a short amount of time following a breast lift procedure. Most patients will return to work within 3-5 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Initially, breast lift incisions will be covered with steri-strips to protect the breast lift incision and help relieve tension to improve scar healing. The steri-strips are usually present for 2 weeks following surgery. At post-operative visits, the steri-strips will be removed and sutures will be trimmed. Scar treatments will be recommended to aid scar healing following surgery until the scars are no longer pink in color. Scars take time to heal and scar maturity will occur over the first year following surgery.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days. Average recovery is approximately 3 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Residual swelling, soreness and bruising will diminish over the next several weeks.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: Infection, bleeding, decreased sensation and wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.
Breast Reconstruction
Reconstructive breast surgery is commonly performed following a breast cancer diagnosis resulting in breast mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can be performed in conjunction with a mastectomy procedure or can be performed at a later time.
In some cases, breast reconstruction can be performed to correct a congenital abnormality or to correct an injury following an accident. Whatever the case, the goal is the same: to restore the breast to as near its natural shape and size as possible.
Have you had a medical diagnosis of breast cancer which is requiring a mastectomy procedure? Have you been given a positive diagnosis from genetic testing for the breast cancer gene? Have you had injury or trauma to your breasts following a trauma or accident? Are you in overall good health and do not smoke? If so, you may be a candidate for breast reconstruction surgery.
There are many different types of breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction can either be performed by using breast implants or donor tissue from other areas of your body such as: your abdomen, back or buttocks. The type of reconstruction depends on your body type, age and cancer treatments. Multiple options will be provided during your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues to determine which type of reconstruction will be the best fit for your specific health requirements.
Breast reconstruction usually involves a multi-step process to complete the reconstruction process which often times involves multiple surgeries. Dr. Rodrigues is sensitive to the unique physical and psychological needs of a women about to undergo breast reconstructive surgery. Specifics to your individual needs and care will be discussed during your consultation to address your concerns to help make this time as stress-free as possible.
Post-Operative pain will be present, but can be controlled with pain medication. Soreness and tightness of the chest will be presents for a short amount of time following a breast reconstruction procedures. Most patients will return to work within 3-5 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days. Average recovery is approximately 3 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Residual swelling, soreness and bruising will diminish over several weeks.
Additional stages of reconstruction are determined during your post-operative visits dependent on your healing process. Each individual differs and time frame is not always predictable.
Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction is a procedure performed for women who have excessive amounts of breast tissue and often suffer from symptoms associated with their large breasts. Having large breasts can cause discomfort with back, neck and shoulder pain, rashes under their breasts, ill-fitting clothing and social awkwardness that lead to a loss of self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery can give you back your life, your confidence, and the freedom to be proud of your well-proportioned figure.
Breast reductions are a great option for patients who have abnormally large natural breasts and are seeking a smaller more proportionate size and shape to fit their body type. If you are looking for a smaller natural breast size, you are in overall good health and do not smoke, you may be a great candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Breast Reductions are performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient (same day) surgery at an Accredited Surgical Center or an Outpatient Hospital Setting. During a breast reduction procedure, excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed. The breast tissue and nipple/areola are lifted and repositioned to achieve a smaller, lighter, and firmer shape to the breast and to be more proportionate to your body shape.
Does Health Insurance Cover the Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery?
Some private health insurances will assist in covering the cost of breast reduction surgery if specific qualifications are met. Determination regarding whether or not your health insurance will cover breast reduction surgery will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Post-Operative pain will be present, but can be controlled with oral pain medication. Soreness and tightness of the chest will be presents for a short amount of time following a breast reduction procedure. Most patients will return to work within 5-7 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Initially, breast reduction incisions will be covered with steri-strips to protect the breast reduction incision and help relieve tension to improve scar healing. The steri-strips are usually present for 2 weeks following surgery. At post-operative visits, the steri-strips will be removed and sutures will be trimmed. Scar treatments will be recommended to aid scar healing following surgery, until the scars are no longer pink in color. Scars take time to heal and scar maturity will occur over the first year following surgery.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exertion for about 4-6 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 7-10 days. Average recovery is approximately 4-6 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Residual swelling, soreness and bruising will diminish over several weeks.
Breast reduction surgery can make for a big change in a person’s physical appearance. It may take some time to get used to your new look, but with time our goal is to reduce or eliminate the physical symptoms that are caused by having excessively large breasts.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: Infection, bleeding, decreased sensation and wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.
Breast Revision
Breast Revision, typically involves removal or replacing of either saline or silicone breast implants. Breast Revisions can become necessary as a result of changes occurring to the implant or the surrounding breast tissue. Changes that may result in the need for a breast revision procedure may include:
-Implant deflation (saline) or implant rupture (silicone). The outer shell of the implant breaks, requiring the need for implant replacement.
– Desire to change implant: You are not satisfied with the size, shape or type of your current implants.
-Capsular Contracture: The development of thickening scar tissue around the implant causing the breast to become firm and/or misshapen.
– Implant Shift: Your Implants have shifted out of their original position and the breast implant pocket needs to be readjusted.
Have you had a previous Breast Augmentation and have the desire to increase or decrease the size of your breasts? Maybe you want to change your current implants type from saline or silicone to the alternative. Do you feel as though your breast shape has changed over time and you desire to enhance the shape of your breast? You may be an excellent candidate for breast revision procedure.
Breast Revisions are commonly performed in an outpatient (same day) Accredited Surgical Center or an Outpatient Hospital setting under general anesthesia. In some cases breast revisions can also be performed under local anesthetic injection in addition to an oral sedative to help you relax during your surgical procedure in the office procedure room. Specific qualifications must be met to qualify for in-office procedures and will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Dependent on the type of breast revision that is needed for your specific surgery, incisions are made and the breast implant is removed. Adjustments are made to the breast implant pocket and an implant is then placed back into the breast pocket or can be removed altogether. The breast shape is then contoured and the incisions are closed.
Revision surgery varies depending on your specific situation. Dr. Rodrigues will be happy to personally consult with you to determine a course of action for your revision surgery.
Recovery is may differ for the specific breast revision procedure that is performed. Butt commonly, post-operative pain, swelling and bruising are expected following surgery. Pain can be controlled with pain medication. Swelling and bruising will also be presents and will diminish within the first couple of weeks following surgery. Initially, breast lift incisions will be covered with steri-strips to protect the breast incision and help relieve tension to improve scar healing. The steri-strips are usually present for 2 weeks following surgery. At post-operative visits, the steri-strips will be removed and sutures will be trimmed. Scar treatments will be recommended to aid scar healing following surgery until the scars are no longer pink in color. Scars take time to heal and scar maturity will occur over the first year following surgery.
Average recovery is approximately 4 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Most patients will return to work within 3-5 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: infection, bleeding, capsular contracture (thickened scar tissue), implant deflation or rupture, decreased sensation or wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.
Male Breast Reduction for Gynecomastia
Excess male breast tissue can be caused by a hormonal imbalance or for no known reason, but having enlarged breast tissue when you’re a man can leave you feeling self-conscious, and it can greatly impact your self-esteem. As opposed to simple fatty tissue, true gynecomastia is the development of glandular breast tissue in men.
If you are a male with excess breast tissue and are in good health, do not smoke and have realistic expectations for your results, you may be an excellent candidate for male breast reduction surgery.
Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia in an Accredited outpatient (same day) surgical center or an Outpatient Hospital Setting. In some cases, surgery can be performed in the office procedure room under local anesthetic injection as well as an oral sedative to help you relax during the procedure. Specific qualifications must be met to qualify for in-office procedures and will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues.
Small puncture incision are made along the lateral chest to allow for liposuction of the chest to be performed. Liposuction helps to contour the chest as well as remove fat deposits in the breast. A small incision is typically made along the lower half of the areola to allow for glandular excision of the breast tissue. In some more severe cases, larger incisions may be necessary not only to remove the glandular tissue, but to also tighten excess skin if present. Incision placement will be discussed on an individual basis at your consultation with Dr. Rodrigues depending on your specific surgical needs.
There are several techniques that may be used to perform male breast reduction, depending on the cause and your desired results as well as the severity of the condition:
- Liposuction
- Power-Assisted liposuction
- Surgical excision of breast tissue combined with liposuction
Dr. Rodrigues will be happy to consult with you personally to help you arrive at the best treatment options for your individual situation.
Post-Operative pain, swelling and bruising will be present. Pain can be controlled with pain medication. Soreness and tightness of the chest will be presents for a short amount of time following your procedure. Most patients will return to work within 5-7 days following surgery, but will need to be able to comply with lifting and activity restrictions.
A Post-operative compression garment will be worn after surgery for approximately 6-8 weeks. The compression garment applies pressure to the surgical site to contour the area and to help control post-operative swelling.
Initially, breast incisions will be covered with steri-strips to protect the breast incision and help relieve tension to improve scar healing. The steri-strips are usually present for 2 weeks following surgery. At post-operative visits, the steri-strips will be removed and sutures will be trimmed. Scar treatments will be recommended to aid scar healing following surgery until the scars are no longer pink in color. Scars take time to heal and scar maturity will occur over the first year following surgery.
Restrictions will include no heavy lifting, exercising and heavy exercising for about 4 weeks following surgery. Walking or light aerobic exercise is permitted after the first 10-14 days. Average recovery is approximately 4 weeks following surgery, but individual results vary depending on the patient. Residual swelling, soreness and bruising will diminish over the next several weeks.
Complications can include, but are not limited to: Infection, bleeding, decreased sensation and wound healing difficulties among others. Delayed wound healing is more common in patients who smoke, patients with diabetes or patients with histories of radiation treatment. Complications are rare, but do occur.