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Debunking Five Common Breast Surgery Myths

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Debunking Five Common Breast Surgery Myths

When it comes to breast surgery, there are a number of procedures that are available to alter the breast shape, size and appearance. If you are interested in a breast augmentation, lift or reduction, chances are you have come across your fair share of myths and rumors regarding these surgical procedures. To help you decipher fact from fiction, I have debunked five common myths I typically hear about breast surgery.

#1: Losing weight eliminates the need for breast reduction.

There is a common misperception that losing excess weight can help to naturally reduce breast size. Unfortunately, weight loss does not necessarily guarantee that your breast size will shrink. The breasts are made up of both glandular tissue and fat and it is impossible to lose excess glandular tissue through weight loss and exercise.

#2: Breast implants need to be replaced after 10 years.

While breast implants are not expected to last forever, they also have no standard expiration date. Replacing your breast implants is only necessary if there are issues, such as a leakage or a rupture, or if you decide you’d prefer a different size or type of implant. In order to minimize possible complications, it is important to attend regular follow-up appointments following your surgery.

#3: You cannot breastfeed after breast surgery.

If you are planning on having children, you may be worried that undergoing breast surgery could affect your ability to safely breastfeed. Fortunately, there are little to no risks associated with breast surgery that would impact future pregnancy or breastfeeding. Rarely, milk production and nipple sensitivity can be affected depending on what type of breast surgery you undergo. Additionally, there are no medical risks for babies who are breastfed by women with breast implants. As always, I will guide you through what to expect post-procedure during your consultation.

#4: You can have surgery to perfectly fit a certain cup size.

When undergoing breast augmentation surgery, you will have an idea of what size your breasts will be, but it is extremely difficult to know what your exact cup size will be. Because implant sizing is measured in cubic centimeters, or ccs, not cup sizes, this makes predicting your final cup size a challenge. Additionally, when I perform this procedure, one of my main goals is for the end results to look natural and align with the dimensions of your body. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your sizing options and find the perfect fit for your vision.

#5: Any surgeon can perform breast surgery.

When choosing a surgeon to perform your breast surgery, there are a number of important factors to watch out for. An important distinction is to make sure that your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon. While any surgeon can offer breast surgery, only board-certified plastic surgeons have years of specialized training and experience and are certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Another important factor is their prior breast surgery experience. For example, a talented physician who specializes in liposuction, but has little breast surgery experience might not be the best choice. Fortunately, I have over 30 years of experience performing breast augmentation, lift and reduction surgeries.

Separating fact from fiction is an essential part of learning more about breast surgery. If you have any questions about breast surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Also, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more plastic surgery insights and monthly specials.

6 Common Myths About Breast Surgery

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Whether you are interested in a breast reduction, lift, or augmentation, you have likely heard some of the myths surrounding breast surgery. Pop culture and the internet can provide information that often misrepresents reality. That is why, as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I would like to debunk some of these breast surgery myths.

  1. Choosing a Breast Implant for Breast AugmentationIf you lose weight, you won’t need a breast reduction.  If you are overweight, weight loss may be a healthy thing to strive toward; however, weight loss cannot guarantee shrinkage in specific areas. Although you may be losing weight, you may not necessarily lose weight in your breasts because they contain glandular tissue in addition to fat. Glandular tissue is impossible to lose through exercise.
  2. Implants cause autoimmune illness.All breast implants in the US are FDA cleared and many scientific studies show that breast implants are not linked to autoimmune or cancerous diseases.
  3. You need to replace your breast implants every 10-12 years.There is no exact timeline in which your breast implants need to be replaced because they don’t expire. Breast implants need to be replaced if they have issues such as leakage or if you personally elect to have breast revision surgery. It is necessary to attend regular follow up appointments (or MRI’s for silicone breast implants) to minimize your risk for issues.
  4. Breastfeeding is impossible after breast surgery.Breastfeeding is both possible and safe in most cases after a breast reduction or lift. Depending on your procedure, you may have trouble with milk production or nipple sensitivity, but these factors depend on the type of breast surgery and your personal goals.
  5. You can have surgery to fit a specific cup size.While you will have an idea of what size you can expect your breasts to be, there is no way to know exactly what cup size you can expect your breasts to be. Many underwear manufacturers have different sizing scales depending on the designer or country of origin—because of this, a C-cup at one store might more closely resemble a B-cup or even a D-cup at another store.
  6. Insurance will not pay for breast surgery.  This greatly depends on your circumstance and insurance provider. However, this is more often true than not. If you can provide evidence that your breast reduction is medically necessary, you might get approved. Talk to your insurance provider to learn more.<

If you have any questions about breast surgery, please contact my office at 404.843.0840. I, Dr. John LeRoy, and my staff would be happy to help you navigate the breast surgery process. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more information about cosmetic surgery.

How Do I Know if I Need Breast Reduction Surgery?

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After treating patients for over two decades, Dr. John L. LeRoy has consistently encountered people who have waited to receive a breast reduction surgery because they weren’t sure if it was the right fit. Because a breast reduction might not be as popular as a lift or augmentation, the procedure might not be as understood. Therefore, it could greatly benefit many individuals to learn about the different reasons for receiving this surgery.

Does a Breast Reduction Always Require a LiftIs This Procedure Exclusively for Women?

Breast reduction surgery can help both men and women safely remove excess breast tissue. Some men develop gynecomastia during adolescence that causes them to develop excess fat or glandular tissue in their breasts. This condition can be a source of embarrassment and anxiety for those who haven’t been treated. Thankfully, a breast reduction surgery can safely remove targeted breast tissue to create a more contoured and toned shape.

Health Complications That Can Stem from Oversized Breasts

Although the cosmetic aspect of oversized breasts in both men and women is important to consider, they can also cause more serious health risks for women. This is why it’s highly recommended that you have an in-person consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon if you suspect that your breasts are causing discomfort. Here are some of the common issues that women with oversized breasts can experience:

  • Back and shoulder aches
  • Neck stiffness
  • Poor circulation
  • Frequent migraines
  • Breast asymmetry
  • Exaggerated drooping

How Breast Reduction Works

Once you’ve met with Dr. LeRoy to establish your cosmetic goals and reached a decision that a breast reduction is right for you, the procedure starts with general anesthesia before a careful incision is made around the areola and then down to the crease of the breast to create an anchor shape. This allows for excess fat and tissue to be safely removed while the nipples are repositioned to a more proportioned location. Dr. LeRoy has over two decades of experience with the specialized technique of effectively minimizing scarring to produce the best possible results.

A breast reduction gives people the option to feel more comfortable in their own skin. For more information about this procedure, contact the Dr. LeRoy’s office by calling 404-843-0840 to schedule an in-person consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates about our monthly specials.

Tips on Sleeping After Cosmetic Breast Surgery

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It might seem like a simple task but sleeping after a breast augmentation can be tough and frustrating for some patients. Because surgery sites need to be protected during the healing process, the way in which you sleep after a cosmetic surgery is very important to a successful recovery. In the office of John L. LeRoy, every precaution is taken to inform patients about how to protect their cosmetic results. That’s why we’ve compiled tips on how to better sleep after a breast augmentation.

Tips on Sleeping After Cosmetic Breast SurgeryHelp with Adjusting Your Sleeping Position

The position that your body is placed for the duration of the night can affect cosmetic results from your cosmetic breast surgery.  Your recovery time is intended to relieve the swelling, bruising, and numbness in the breasts and/or nipples. Without a safe sleeping position, the healing process can be slower or in some cases significantly disrupted. The following is a list of helpful reminders for how to position yourself to sleep without harming your cosmetic outcome:

  • Keep arms at side
  • Lie down on your back
  • Use pillows on your sides to keep yourself from shifting
  • Sleep at a reclined angle

Depending on the type of cosmetic breast surgery you have, Dr. LeRoy will recommend a specific amount of time to modify your sleeping position. There are different recovery protocols for breast lifts, reductions and augmentations. Additionally, each patient has a different natural recovery rate from cosmetic plastic surgery.

Controlling Your Environment  

Your recovery environment should be set up to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible. After your surgery, you will be given a compression bra to wear for at least weeks or until you’re advised otherwise. This bra keeps your breasts secure and can reduce the amount of pain during movement.

Many patients also notice an improvement in discomfort and swelling when they gently apply ice packs to their breasts. There are great options for non-leaking ice packs at most local pharmacies.

Don’t Skimp on Your Rest

After your cosmetic breast surgery, Dr. LeRoy will advise you about how many days you should refrain from lifting, bending or straining. The instructions that you’ll receive are to be taken very seriously to avoid the risk of injury and delayed recovery. If you’re having persistent pain for more than a few days that doesn’t subside with rest, ice, or pain medication, contact Dr. LeRoy’s office right away.

Sleep is one of the most useful methods of recovery, so it’s important to take it seriously after your cosmetic breast surgery. To schedule a consultation for more information, contact the office of Dr. John L. LeRoy at 404.843.0840. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more helpful plastic surgery information.

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Plastic Surgery Options for the Breasts

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Throughout over twenty years as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I’ve found that for women, the breasts can be a major aspect of their appearance. Not only can they create a flattering silhouette, but many women feel that their breasts are a part of their femininity. Couple this with the fact that, unlike the abdomen and other areas, there’s nothing a woman can really do to naturally change her breasts, so it may not come as a surprise that breast procedures are among the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US. The general public is well aware that breast implants can offer a size increase, but how knowledgeable are you about the other ways cosmetic surgery can enhance the breasts’ appearance (for both women and men)?

In reality, there are four general types of plastic surgery for the breasts:

  • Breast augmentation (sometimes known as breast enhancement or breast enlargement)
  • Breast reduction
  • Breast lift
  • Male breast reduction (to correct overdeveloped male breasts—a condition called gynecomastia)

Each procedure is ideal for a different aesthetic goal, and my video below offers an overview for each of them.

As with the face and the body, breast surgery should always be customized to fit you, the patient. If you’re ready to learn more about your options for one of these procedures or another type of cosmetic surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and special offers, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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