BREAST AUGMENTATION IN VANCOUVER

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

If you are thinking about breast augmentation with implants in the Vancouver area, you have several choices to make. This highly customizable plastic surgery procedure has given countless women a more balanced profile by increasing their breast size in proportion with their body types. Women seek breast augmentation from Dr. Owen Reid not only to create larger breasts but to help enhance their body image.

Breast
Breast

BREAST AUGMENTATION BENEFITS

Your reasons for considering breast enhancement are personal and unique; however, it is quite likely that many women share similar concerns and goals for surgery. Some of the most common reasons why women choose to have a breast augmentation include:

    • Naturally small breast size
    • Unbalanced body proportions
    • Unattractive breast shape
    • Breast asymmetry
    • Loss of breast volume secondary to life events such as pregnancies or fluctuations in weight

HOW DOES BREAST AUGMENTATION WORK?

Breast augmentation has been an integral part of plastic surgery for the past forty years. During that time, there have been significant advances in breast implant design and surgical techniques. However, to optimize results and avoid unsatisfactory outcomes, breast augmentation should not be viewed as an isolated surgical procedure but rather as a process that involves four components:

    • Patient education
    • Tissue based preoperative planning
    • Refined surgical technique, and
    • Standardized postoperative care

Your role in the process of breast augmentation should not be a passive one. Before you undergo surgery, you should develop an understanding of the different breast implant options, basic surgical concepts, expected outcomes and the limitations of surgery.

Tissue-based planning involves choosing an implant that fits your breast size and suits your body type. During your consultation with the surgeon, a detailed examination will be performed and breast measurements will be taken. The results from this examination along with your personal preferences will guide you and your surgeon while making five critical decisions which will determine the outcome of surgery:

    • Location of the implant pocket – above or below the muscle
    • Implant size – directed by a combination of your measurements and goals
    • Implant type – saline, smooth round silicone, or cohesive gel
    • Inframammary fold position
    • Location of the incision

The surgical plan is developed preoperatively after the consultation. Although the basic technique is well-defined, minor adjustments are made to suit each patient. These adjustments depend on the variables and factors that are unique to each patient’s appearance such as the position of the inframammary fold and the amount of breast ptosis. Each operation takes place under general anesthesia in an accredited private surgical facility. Your privacy, comfort and safety are our primary concerns.

Dr. Reid often performs breast augmentation in conjunction with breast lift surgery when there is significant breast droop. This comprehensive approach to breast enhancement achieves a more youthful-looking breast while at the same time increasing size. Breast augmentation often plays a key role in breast reconstruction procedures.

BREAST AUGMENTATION SAFETY & RISKS

As with any procedure, there are some potential risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. Some of these risks are common to all operations, such as bleeding and infection, while others are specific to breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture and implant malposition. Breast augmentation is a common operation with a high satisfaction rate, and serious complications are rare. However, minor complications can lead to revisions and secondary operations, which are disappointing, inconvenient and potentially costly. The prevention of complications and re-operation is something that Dr. Reid takes very seriously. This is why he has adopted a methodical process for pre-operative breast augmentation planning and a tissue-based approach to breast implant selection.

BREAST ENHANCEMENT (FOR WEIGHT LOSS PATIENTS)

BREAST ISSUES FOLLOWING WEIGHT LOSS

Many of the Vancouver area massive weight loss patients that Dr. Reid meets are interested in some form of breast enhancement. The most common complaint relates to poor breast shape and sagging of the breast. Many would prefer to have more breast volume, as they once had prior to their weight loss. Less commonly, Dr. Reid is asked to reduce the size of the breast.

OPTIONS FOR BREAST ENHANCEMENT

Patients seeking breast enhancement have several options for treatment. For some, a single procedure, such as a breast lift, will produce the desired result. Others may benefit from a combination of procedures. The options include:

    • A breast reduction
    • A breast lift
    • A breast augmentation
    • Fat grafting/transfer
    • Lateral chest / axillary liposuction
    • Upper body lift

Financing with Beautifi

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Dr. Owen Reid MD FRCSC

Education

Dr. Reid has trained specifically in plastic surgery. He completed medical school with honors at the University of British Columbia prior to receiving training in surgery of the breast and body.

Experience

Dr.  Reid is an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. He frequently attends conferences relating to reconstructive and cosmetic surgery while maintaining an active interest in post-weight loss surgery.

The Inframammary Fold After Weight Loss

The fold beneath the breast is referred to as the inframammory fold or IMF. This is an important anatomic feature. The IMF defines the lower border of the breast, its position on the chest wall, the orientation of the breast as well as the width. Following major weight fluctuations, the IMF has often lost its attachment to the chest wall and slipped downwards, especially its lateral end. As a result, the entire breast slides lower down the chest, becomes wider and flatter and rotates so that the nipples are directed inwards. These are important reasons why IMF correction at the time of a breast lift or breast augmentation will help to ensure a good cosmetic outcome.

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BREAST REDUCTION OR BREAST LIFT?

During your consultation, Dr. Reid can help you decide which of these two operations is right for you. Most patients have lost breast volume while achieving their goal weight and, as a result, a breast lift is the more common procedure.

BREAST LIFT OPTIONS

Not every patient benefits from the same breast lift (mastopexy) technique. In particular, weight loss patients with significant sagging, or ptosis, of the breasts require a specialized technique known as a Dermal Suspension Mastopexy. This procedure was developed specifically for massive weight loss patients by Dr. Peter Rubin, and demonstrated to Dr. Reid on his trip to Pittsburgh in 2013. Since then, Dr. Reid has been able to use this technique to successfully help weight loss patients with their breast enhancement.

WHAT ABOUT AN UPPER BODY LIFT?

Many of the weight loss patients who are considering a breast lift or breast reduction have a fold of excess skin and fat that extends from the breast laterally towards the back. In this scenario, an upper body lift is an excellent complement to a breast lift or breast reduction.

FAT TRANSFER OR BREAST IMPLANTS?

For patients who are looking to enhance their breast size or breast shape there are two treatment options. An augmentation with breast implants is still the most effective way to increase breast size and enhance breast shape. However, in recent years fat grafting has provided a natural alternative for patients who looking for a more subtle improvement in their appearance.

TIMING A BREAST AUGMENTATION

Commonly, weight loss patients who are interested in a breast augmentation will also benefit from a breast lift. In most cases, Dr. Reid will recommend that these two procedures be separated by several months. The breast lift is completed first, perhaps in combination with other body contouring procedures, and then after a period of at least 3 months, the breast augmentation can be done.

HOW AND WHEN DOES FAT GRAFTING TAKE PLACE?

Many body contouring procedures, such as an abdominoplasty, involve a liposuction component. The fat retrieved during liposuction is usually discarded, but fat grafting provides an alternative whereby a person can use their own fat to provide a natural augmentation of the breasts. The fat obtained from liposuction is prepared in a standardized fashion and then injected in to the target area with a small cannula. No incisions on the breasts are required. Fat grafting to the breasts is ideal for treating hollowness in the upper breast and it offers a very natural breast augmentation with the potential for subtle increase in breast size.

RECOVERING FROM BREAST SURGERY

The incisions are closed with dissolving sutures and paper tape. Drainage tubes are usually not required. A bra-like compression garment is placed at the end of the procedure and should be worn for 2 – 3 weeks. Patients will be observed and cared for in the recovery room for a few hours prior to being discharged home. Follow-up appointments will take place in Richmond at 3 days, 1 week, 6 weeks and 3 months following the procedure.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY

Once you have awoken from the anaesthetic, you will be discharged home in the care of a responsible adult; usually a friend of family member. Someone should be available to stay with you on the night of your surgery.

Following the operation, you will be given Dr. Reid’s postoperative instructions. These instructions provide details regarding incision site care, showering, the use of medications, and your return to exercise, work and other normal activities. Emergency contact numbers are listed here and although it is seldom necessary, there will always be someone available to take your call.

Your first post-operative visit with Dr. Reid will take place 2-3 days following your breast augmentation. Subsequent appointments are typically scheduled at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year following surgery; however, you should not hesitate to arrange an additional visit if you have questions.

ADDITIONAL BREAST AUGMENTATION INFORMATION:

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