Asklepion / Your problems / Breasts
Breasts
The appearance of breasts is influenced by age, genetics, and life style. The shape changes and firmness deteriorates because of previous pregnancy, breast feeding or with rapid changes of weight. The admiration of female bust shape depends on the fashion of that time but historically their voluptuousness is still considered as a measure of beauty in some cultures. Unfortunately a too large bust can be a cause of medical problems.
Despite anecdotal experience with different remedies the only way to alter the size or shape of breasts is still surgical intervention.
There are methods how to strengthen breast musculature with different exercises, also how to improve the appearance of the bust complexion and the adjacent low neck line by cosmetic preparations and programmes. In Asklepion we use cosmetics such as Orlane and Decleor.
The augmentation of breasts by plastic surgery is used for the underdeveloped bust or for correction of changes due to aging or repeated breastfeeding. There are many types of implants, some made and filled by silicon, others filled by physiological solution. After detailed discussions with the patient the implant can be inserted via the opening under the areola at the border of the pigmented tissue, under the breast, or in the armpit. They are positioned by the surgeon directly under the mammary gland or under the underlying muscle in that area. The shape of new breasts is achieved by differently shaped implants, some being rounded or tear shaped, etc.
Excessively developed breasts, which can cause patients neck or back aches, can be adjusted by reducing mammoplasty. The operation consists of removal of a part of mammary tissue and also of the adjacent skin. Usually the areola. is also made smaller.
The modelling of breasts is used for flabby breasts or asymmetry of the bust, when both sides look different. The surgical technique consist of the nipple being shifted up and the breast tissue is wrapped around the mammary gland. The surgeon removes the excess of skin and lifts the mammary gland, to overcome the flabbiness. In special cases the breasts can be elevated by so called featherlift method with the use of special threads.
All these operations are under general anaesthetic, last 2–3 hours with subsequent 2–3 days hospitalization. Clients should expect not to return to work for about 14 days. Sports or more difficult physical work can start 6–8 weeks after the surgery.
We also deal with problems of gynecomastia in men in our clinic. Elevated level of estrogens can cause excessive growth of male mammary glands. The only possible correction for this problem is again a surgical operation.