“Tear-Drop” Augmentation – Mastopext
for Saggng Breasts
by Robert M. Freud, M.D.
For patients
who exhibit self-consciousness about the appearance of their breasts,
or who no longer
consider their breasts aesthetically
pleasing, we describe a new technique known as the “tear-drop” augmentation-
mastopexy. This technique lifts and reshapes the breast into
a natural appearing tear-drop shape. Implants are only added
if additional breast size is desired. No longer is it necessary
to have a large scar or excessively large implants to have
sexy breasts.
|
In Texas, they like them big!
In Brazil, they like them small! In New York, flip a coin to decide! |
Although
regional norms may determine the aesthetically pleasing size
for the female breast; the aesthetically pleasing
shape is similar from region to region, generation to generation.
Symmetry with a “tear-drop” shape (without sagging) is
ideal. Approximately 34% of those patients presenting to my office
asking for a breast enlargement, present with sagging or ptotic
breasts in need of surgical correction of this problem. Furthermore,
5% of all breast surgery patients present for a revision of previous
implants placed to correct ptosis. How do you know if you need
more than a routine breast enlargement?
Sagging breasts (or ptosis) is defined by the location of the
nipple in relation to the submammary fold (the area _here breast
tissue folds onto the chest wall). If the nipple lies below the
level of the fold, ptosis is significant and requires surgical
correction. Women with this problem typically include:
| 1. Those who have lost a large amount of weight and breast tissue. 2. Those who hive finished childbearing and breastfeeding and have noticed a significant change in breast shape and volume. 3. Those with inherited sagging or unsightly breasts, known as tubular breast deformity. |
What causes this sagging?
Until recently,
it was believed that the sagging breast was the result of a stretched
skin envelope. Resultantly, many techniques
rely on skin excision to lift the breast resulting in large scars
and an early return of the breast sagging. Other techniques focused
on the loss of breast volume by adding a large implant to fill
the deflated skin envelope. These techniques -result in a “roc
k-in-a-sock