Breast augmentation uses an implant to increase breast size. It is usually done to balance a difference in breast size, to improve body contour, or as a reconstructive technique following surgery. A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water (saline) solution. Because of concerns about the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires that new gel-filled implants be available only to women participating in approved studies. Dr. Salomon is an investigator on the silicone implant study and performs surgery with both silicone and saline implants. Augmentation surgery is common in women who have had breast shrinkage following childbirth as well as women who have always had small breasts.

For further information on breast implants, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) have a website offering women objective and science-based information on breast implants surgery, including augmentation, reconstruction and revision. You may click here to visit www.breastimplantsafety.org.

Breast reduction (mammaplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to achieve relief of the symptoms of enlarged breasts (macromastia) by making smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of the body. The symptoms of macromasia usually involve back or neck pain. Some patients have signs of skin rashes under the enlarged breasts, shoulder grooves from bra strap marks, and poor posture. Symptoms of macromastia often begin during teenage.

Breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy. Symptom's usually start in a woman's thirties.
 

Breast reconstruction surgery. Although an increasing number of women with breast cancer are choosing breast conservation therapy, there are some women who, for medical or personal reasons, choose mastectomy. Some of these women also choose to have reconstructive surgery to restore the breast's appearance. Technical advances in microvascular surgery (reattaching blood vessels) have made free flap procedures (DIEP,SEA, free mTRAM)an option for breast reconstruction. Dr. Salomon is one of the few surgeons in the country performing this state of the art surgery.Recent studies suggest that a new procedure known as skin-sparing mastectomy is as effective as the usual type of modified radical mastectomy for many women, and offers the advantage of less scar tissue and a reconstructed breast that seems more natural. For several years, concern over a possible link between breast implants and immune system diseases has discouraged some women from choosing implants as a method of breast reconstruction. Recent studies have thoroughly evaluated this complex issue. Although women should be aware that implants can cause some side effects (such as firm or hard scar tissue formation), they can be assured that women with implants do not have any greater risk for immune system diseases than women who have not had this surgery. Similarly, the concern that breast implants increase cancer risk is not supported by reliable evidence.

For further information on breast reconstruction after mastectomy, you may click here to visit the American Cancer Society website.