What is Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is dedicated to enhancing the appearance of the breasts in both males and females, either for aesthetic reasons or to address issues such as discomfort, asymmetry, or disproportion relative to the rest of the body.

In certain cases, breast removal is recommended. For example, cancer patients may undergo breast reconstruction to create new breast tissue. This can involve breast augmentation and implantation to restore the natural shape and consistency of the breast.

Types of Breast Surgeries

Therapeutic Breast Surgeries: Performed by general surgeons, these surgeries address medical conditions such as tumors, cancer, or abscesses, which may require removal of the affected tissue or the entire breast.

Prophylactic Breast Removal: For high-risk patients, such as those with a significant genetic predisposition to breast cancer, preventive breast removal may be recommended to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Cosmetic Breast Surgery: Aimed at enhancing breast appearance, these procedures, performed by plastic surgeons, focus on improving the shape and size of the breasts for aesthetic purposes.

Why is breast surgery done?

Breast surgery can be performed for both medical and aesthetic reasons:

  1. Medical Reasons:
    • Gynecomastia: Men with enlarged breasts may need plastic surgery to reduce breast size.
    • Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction: Women who have undergone a mastectomy due to cancer may have reconstructive surgery to restore breast shape.
  2. Aesthetic Reasons:
    • Post-Pregnancy Changes: Women seeking to restore a youthful breast appearance after pregnancy and childbirth.
    • Breast Reduction: For women experiencing discomfort, such as neck and back pain, due to large breasts, surgery can reduce size and weight, achieving a more proportionate and appealing breast shape.
    • Breast Augmentation: Women desiring a fuller, more feminine breast shape can opt for augmentation procedures.

These procedures are tailored to meet individual needs and are performed by experienced plastic surgeons to enhance both appearance and comfort.

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Procedures of Breast Surgery

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as breast implant, is a highly individualized procedure. It involves using implants to enlarge the breasts, with options including saline or silicone implants. These implants can be placed either under the chest muscle (subpectoral) or over the chest muscle (sub glandular). We use silicone implants, which are safe and FDA-approved for women age 22 and older for breast augmentation, or women of any age for breast reconstruction.

they are composed of a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel interior. Silicone gel has a thick, sticky fluid consistency closely mimics human fat, offering a more natural look and feel. Typical patients include women with small breasts seeking to increase size, mothers who have breastfed and now feel their breasts lack volume and have become droopy, and patients who wish to correct asymmetry. You will discuss your ideal breast size, the location of incisions, and the placement of the implants with your surgeon before the procedure to ensure you are satisfied with the choices and decisions made.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift is designed to remove excess, loose skin from the breasts, lifting and reshaping them for a firmer, more youthful appearance. Factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, and gravity can cause the breasts to sag over time. This procedure addresses these changes by repositioning the breasts on the chest wall and reshaping them to provide enhanced support. A breast lift can be combined with implants to achieve both increased firmness and size. Breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, usually under general anesthesia, and typically takes 1 ½ to 3 hours.

The appropriate technique will be based on breast size and shape, the position of areolas (the small, darkened area around the nipples), the degree of breast sagging, skin quality and elasticity, and the amount of extra skin. We make an incision around the areola and vertically under the breast, with a small incision in the breast crease. The extra skin is removed from underneath, and the breast is reshaped into a tighter cone, with the nipples moved to a more natural, youthful position on the breast.

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Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery aims to remove excess tissue, fat, and skin to create a smaller breast size that is more in proportion with the rest of the body. Many patients seek this procedure due to discomfort in the back and neck caused by the weight of their breasts, physical pain, or dissatisfaction with their body image. The procedure can also be beneficial for women whose breasts have become larger due to breastfeeding or other factors.

The excess fat will be removed in a manner that addresses the most redundant and pendulous areas, and the nipple will be repositioned to a higher, more appropriate location on the chest wall. The breast composition, the amount of reduction desired, and your personal preferences will all influence the choice of method used.

How to prepare for Breast Surgery

When a patient comes to the clinic, we take a detailed medical history, including any personal or family history of breast disease. A baseline mammogram is recommended before surgery if you are over 35 years old. This helps to detect any future changes in your breast tissue, in combination with self-examination.

You should stop smoking and avoid aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories before your surgery, as these can increase the risk of bleeding.

Breast Surgery recovery and aftercare

Recovery from breast surgery can take weeks to months. While the initial results of the surgery are visible right away, it may take time for the breast shape and position to fully stabilize. Scar lines are permanent but will gradually fade over time with the use of silicone-based creams.

During the first one to two weeks, you can expect bruising, swelling, and some discomfort. These symptoms will subside more quickly if you adhere strictly to your prescribed medications. You will need to wear a surgical bra for support during this period and continue wearing it for several weeks as you heal.

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Breast Surgery risks & complications

The doctor will explain the procedure and the expected outcomes, including the risks, complications, and types of scars that may result based on your condition. Different techniques will leave different scars on the breast, but regardless of the method chosen, the scars will generally not be visible when wearing a bra or bikini.

You may experience altered or reduced sensation in your nipples, but the sensation typically gradually returns over the following weeks and months. In most cases, however, some patients may experience numbness for up to a year, and in rare instances, it can be permanent.

Other risks include bleeding, infection, unevenly positioned nipples, permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts, and issues with wound healing. While scars should fade over time, they can sometimes become thick and raised.

Results of Breast Surgery

Depending on the chosen procedure, you will achieve different results regarding the shape and consistency of your breasts. For breast augmentation, you can expect fuller breasts. A breast lift will provide a well-positioned, lifted appearance. Breast reduction surgery, whether for males or females, will result in smaller breasts, which can alleviate issues caused by larger breast sizes.

Why Choose Breast Surgery at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

At Reem Hospital Abu Dhabi, our board-certified female and male surgeons have specialized training and significant experience in breast procedures. They take pride in providing a natural aesthetic after augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction surgeries.

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Written By
Dr. Rahaf Wagdy

Medical Content Writer

Dr. Rahaf Wagdy is an Egyptian nuclear radiologist and medical content creator who merges her clinical expertise with digital creativity. With over five years of experience in medical content writing in both Arabic and English, she is dedicated to simplifying...

Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Sammy Al Benna

Consultant Plastic Surgery

Dr. Sammy Al Benna is a distinguished Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, and Burns Surgeon with over 25 years of international experience across the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, and the UAE. He previously served as Professor and Head of the Division...

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Consultant Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
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FAQs on Breast Surgery

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