If you're considering breast reduction surgery in San
Francisco ...
Liposuction, or suction lipectomy, is fundamentally a surgical technique for removing fat from the body. In the last several years, significant advances have been made in both equipment and surgical techniques, including breast reduction surgery. Liposuction methods include: Suction Assisted Liposuction (SAL), Tumescent Liposuction, External Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (EUAL), Internal Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL), and Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL). Another very new development is Vaser Liposuction, also called LipoSelection by Vaser.
As in most plastic surgery being contemplated, it is not so much a matter of which procedure is "better," but a matter of determining with the help of a qualified plastic surgeon which specific procedure is best for you. Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon with expertise in the specialized training which liposuction requires is the first step. I also find it essential that my patients be candid and forthcoming in discussing with me their goals. Together, we can determine the liposuction procedure that will accomplish those goals and realistic expectations.
With the numerous refinements and improvements made over the years, liposuction has become of the most frequently performed and one of the safest operative procedures, when carried out by qualified plastic surgeons (certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery).
Liposuction can reduce up to 50% of breast size only if there is a sufficient proportion of fat tissue compared to the glandular or muscular tissue found in the breast. The breast can be made significantly smaller, but the breast’s general shape and nipple position will remain the same. If a total reshaping of the breast is desired, then perhaps the surgical-incision technique may be indicated. Realistically, liposuction results in a smaller version of the same breasts, with some lifting due to the reduced weight and elasticity of the skin in retracting to the new breast size. Certainly breasts with less elastic skin will be prone to less natural lifting after the procedure is complete.
Tumescent liposuction involves injections of large amounts of fluid (a solution of local anesthetic Lidocaine, plus Epinephrine to constrict blood vessels, and saline) into the tissues to be suctioned out using thin metal tubes called cannulas. This method has been around for around twenty years, but has continually been refined and is currently the most commonly used method for removing fat from the body. The fluid, sometimes up to three times the amount of fat to be removed, causes the immediate area to swell, or become tumescent, thus the name. The solution separates the tissues, reduces bleeding, and allows the cannula to move easily under the skin during the breast reduction procedure. Since only the area to be operated upon is anesthetized in the breast reduction surgery, the patient can often sit or stand during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to refine the contour in natural positions.
As with other liposuction procedures, the best candidates for breast reduction by tumescent liposuction are those whose breasts contain a large proportion of fat. The proportion of fat can be determined by a mammogram. Postmenopausal women typically have breasts that contain a larger proportion of fat than do young or teenage women. Some generally overweight women of pre-menopausal age may also have a large proportion of breast fat and are also good candidates for this procedure.
Since a vital determining factor in achieving a successful outcome from breast reduction using tumescent liposuction is the amount of fat present, Dr. Mosser always makes very clear to his patients what they can realistically expect. Every single case is individual, and being candid with your surgeon regarding your goals is a critical part of determining the best procedure to use.
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