Cosmetic breast surgery explained

The size, shape or asymmetry of the breasts can affect a person’s self confidence and may lead them to consider cosmetic breast surgery. In this article, highly respected consultant general surgeon Mr Mina Youssef shares his expert insight on the most common types of cosmetic breast surgery and what each procedure entails. Mr Youssef, who is a revered specialist in oncoplastic breast surgery, also details the role of plastic surgery in the context of breast cancer treatment.

What is cosmetic breast surgery?

Cosmetic breast surgery is defined as any type of surgery to the breast which doesn’t aim to treat a condition, such as cancer, or a lump or abnormality. Instead, the objective of cosmetic breast surgery is to correct the shape or the aesthetics of the breast, either by augmenting, reducing or lifting the area to give an improved appearance. These are the three principal categories of cosmetic breast procedures.

What are the different types of cosmetic breast procedure? Which is the most common?

The most commonly performed type of cosmetic breast surgery is breast augmentation. This is typically performed for patients who are unsatisfied with the volume or the size of their natural breasts. Breast augmentation procedures usually use implant enhancement to achieve the desired results.

The second category of cosmetic breast surgery is breast reduction, which I have previously spoken about in greater detail. Breast reduction procedures are performed for patients who are unhappy with the size of their breasts. Large breasts can often cause persistent pain or shoulder problems amongst other issues and so women may opt for breast reduction to relieve this.

Thirdly, procedures to correct of the shape of the breast are known as breast lift or mastopexy. This form of cosmetic breast surgery is performed when patients are satisfied with the volume and size of the natural breasts but they have become very ptotic (drooping). A mastopexy procedure is a form of corrective surgery which lifts the breast tissue to a higher position.

What is involved in cosmetic breast surgery?

This depends largely on why we are performing breast surgery in the first place. If the cosmetic breast procedure occurs within the context of cancer, this falls under the category of oncoplastic breast surgery. Oncoplastic surgery, as the name suggests, is a combination between oncologic surgery (surgery for cancer) and plastic surgery (cosmetic surgery).

The initial part of such a procedure is the resection (removal) of the cancer. This is the priority and is performed in a very safe way with an important margin. Following this, we correct any resulting defect or deformity to leave a cosmetically acceptable result. In some cases, we may perform partial breast removal or removal of a lump before reconstructing the defect using a flap. Additionally, we sometimes we resect a lump while simultaneously performing a breast reduction.

Outside of the context of cancer, breast augmentation procedures typically involve an implant insertion behind the breast. In breast reduction procedures, surgery involves a resection of a certain part of the breast and skin, while in breast lift procedures, a resection of the skin creates a lifting of the breast.

Why do people undergo cosmetic breast surgery?

Usually, the aim of cosmetic breast surgery is to correct a problem that is causing dissatisfaction for the patient. For many individuals, breast shape or volume is a very important aspect of body image and so by correcting any areas perceived as unsightly by the patient, we can often make a significant improvement in the way they perceive themselves.

In other cases, cosmetic breast surgery is performed due to a genetic asymmetry of some type. People are sometimes born with asymmetrical breasts, which are not the same size, volume or shape. Therefore, cosmetic surgery to correct one side is very beneficial for the patient.

Additionally, cosmetic breast surgery is sometimes required within the context of cancer treatment in the field of oncoplastic breast surgery, which is my specialist area of interest. Oncoplastic breast surgery may be performed to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy following resection of a cancer or simply to resect the breast in a cosmetic way, like a breast reduction, which is called therapeutic mammoplasty.

If you are considering cosmetic breast surgery and wish to schedule a consultation with Mr Youssef, you can do so by visiting his Top Doctors profile.