Treatment of Breast Deformities in Manhattan

The most common breast deformity is called a "tuberous" or "constricted" breast. In essence, the breast is elongated and thin with a narrow base (some call this a "zucchini" breast). It frequently has an enlarged, dome-shaped areola. While the exact causes are unclear, we do know that the breast tissue develops in a concentrated fashion just below the nipple. When this tissue grows it causes only the nipple/areola to protrude. This is in contrast to normal breast development in which breast tissue develops over the entire width of the chest.

There are also milder forms of this deformity, in which the breast is slightly narrowed or somewhat triangular in shape. Sometimes this deformity will occur on only one breast, resulting in asymmetry. There may also be some degree of droop as well.

The usual technique to correct this problem, the peri-areolar technique, will result in a smaller areola and will allow the surgeon to re-distribute the constricted breast tissue into a wider expanse of breast tissue covering the entire chest. The anticipated scars are located just at the edge of the areola.

Surgery to correct this problem is considered cosmetic in nature and insurance usually does not cover it.

Your Consultation

Tuberous Breast Treatment | Constricted Breast Treatment | Manhattan | New York City Surgery to correct any of these problems involves careful evaluation of the deformity and the development of an individual plan for improvement. Consideration is given to conserving the innate breast tissue but re-distributing that same tissue in a broader area across the entire chest wall. The nipple location can be raised if necessary and the diameter of the areola can be reduced so that it is in proportion to the remainder of the breast. Most important, a breast implant will aid the process by adding needed volume in a broad area cross the chest wall. In order to evaluate your needs, you are requested to wear a non-padded bra to this examination. The exact methods utilized for this surgery will be diagrammed for you during the consultation.

Next, a decision will be made as to the type of implant to be used: saline filled or silicone gel filled. Both of these implants are safe! Examples of each implant will be demonstrated, and the characteristics and pros and cons of each will be discussed. Some of the differences are as follows:

Saline implants: This is a silicone rubber sac which is filled through a valve with saline (salt water) at the time of surgery. Minor breast size differences can be addressed by placing slightly different amounts of saline in each implant – i.e. there is some flexibility as to volume. The cost of these implants is slightly less than silicone gel.
Silicone gel implants: This is a silicone rubber sac (identical to a saline implant sac) which is filled with silicone gel. The gel (thick, clear and colorless) is engineered to have a consistency similar to your own natural breast tissue. Hence, when it is implanted, there will be a very natural feel to the breast. These implants come pre-filled so that there is no opportunity to "fine tune" the volume at the time of surgery. A decision on the volume of each implant must be made pre-operatively.

WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?

Tuberous Breast Treatment | Constricted Breast Treatment | Manhattan | New York City All operations are performed under sedation or "twilight sleep" anesthesia – general anesthesia is used only rarely and then only in a hospital setting. The anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs for your safety and administer small, frequent doses of a variety of medications through a vein. The result is a gentle, relaxed sleep while your operation is performed. There is no pain and no awareness and you will awaken quickly and comfortably in the operating room just minutes after the completion of surgery. There is usually no hangover or nausea afterwards.

HOW IS THE OPERATION PERFORMED?

Photographs are taken immediately prior to surgery. There will be extensive drawings on your breasts to guide the surgeon during the operation. You will be taken to the operating room and prepared for surgery. A local anesthetic will be injected but you will not feel it because you are sleeping. The operation will be performed and an implant placed. The wounds are closed with dissolving sutures on the inside so that there are no stitches to be removed afterwards – only some tapes on the skin. The procedure takes about 2-3 hours to perform. At the end of the operation, you will be placed in a post-operative bra and brought to the recovery room. When you have recovered appropriately, you will be discharged in the care of another responsible adult.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?

The effects of the local anesthetic will persist for several hours after surgery – so you will be quite comfortable. Ultimately, these effects will wear off and you will have some soreness, tightness and a pressure sensation on your chest, which will be handled by the pain medication that has been prescribed for you.

There will be some swelling and perhaps some bruising of the breasts, which will disappear within a week or so. Recovery takes about 7-10 days although there is considerable healing during the ensuing months as well. You may drive within 3-4 days and perform only sedentary activities for one week. Strenuous exercise training can be resumed in one month.

Dr. Jacobs will schedule several post-operative examinations after your procedure.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN THE LONG TERM?

Amazingly, within a week after surgery, your body image in your brain will change and you will accept your new breast shape and size as if you had always been that way! Your breasts will still be swollen for a while, so please defer shopping for new bras and bathing suits for a few weeks.

You are encouraged to have a post-operative mammogram anytime between six months and a year after your surgery. This will establish a baseline "normal" mammogram so that any future mammograms can be compared to it.

You should return for routine follow-up examination on an annual basis. Any changes in your breasts in between scheduled appointments should prompt a call to our office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an added risk of cancer if I have breast implants? Absolutely not!!! There is no added risk of breast cancer if you have implants – but you must be aware that breast cancer remains a risk for all women and that periodic self-examination, physician examination and mammograms are essential.
Can I have mammograms if I have breast implants? Yes! There are techniques available which will allow thorough imaging of your breasts even though you have implants. You must be certain, however, to tell your radiologist or mammogram technician that you do have implants in place so that the additional views and maneuvers can be done.
Can I become pregnant if I have implants? Yes! Having implants does not affect your ability to become pregnant. Bear in mind, though, that some women, with or without implants, sometimes have trouble becoming pregnant. Remember, too, that your augmented breasts will become even larger during the course of your pregnancy.
Can I nurse a child if I have implants? Yes! Having implants does not affect your ability to nurse. However, some women, with or without implants, sometimes have an inability to nurse.
Will I still maintain sensation in my nipples? Yes! Immediately after surgery, sensation may be diminished but it usually returns to the same level as before surgery in the vast majority of patients. In some cases, the nipples become super-sensitive (no one knows why) and in rare cases, there may be some diminished sensation.
What is capsular contracture? Any foreign body implanted in a human will prompt the body to produce scar tissue around it. It is the body's natural attempt to "wall off" a foreign substance. The same holds true for breast implants. The body will normally produce a layer of scar tissue around an implant. In essence, it looks like a balloon within a balloon. In most circumstances, the layer of scar tissue will be thin and pliable and will have no effect whatsoever. In other circumstances, whose true cause remains a mystery to this day, the scar tissue layer becomes thickened. This results in perceived firmness of the augmented breast. (Interestingly, the implant remains as soft as the day it was implanted – but the scar tissue makes the breast firm. ) The firmness is totally benign and many patients live with it. Rarely, it may progress to a situation in which there is pain and/or distortion of the breast. This may prompt the need for additional surgery. Capsular contracture may occur days, weeks, months, years or decades after surgery and it may affect either or both breasts at any time.
Do I have to replace my implants periodically? No! There is a common myth that "implants must be regularly replaced or exchanged every ten years." Nonsense. However, nothing lasts forever and therefore periodic examinations are important to monitor the integrity of the implants. Any change in the implant integrity should be discussed with Dr. Jacobs and surgery may be indicated.
Can I switch my implants? Yes! Some women desire to have larger (or smaller) implants after their original surgery. Other women do not enjoy the feel of saline implants and wish to switch to silicone gel implants. A "remove and replace" operation can be performed, usually through the original scar. It is most important, however, to retain the information about your original surgery (size and type of implant) so that precise decisions can be made as regards new implants. Please bring this information with you at the time of consultation.
Will there be scars on my breasts? Yes! The scars will be just at the edge of the areola. They are permanent but will fade in time.

If you are interested in learning more about our Breast Reconstruction procedure, call 212-570-6080 today to schedule an appointment.