Breast Plastic Surgery with Redlands, California plastic surgeon Dr. Rau
From breast augmentation to breast reduction, Redlands plastic surgeon Todd C. Rau, M.D. is equipped to handle all your plastic surgery needs. To help you understand your options, we’ve included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page.
Breast Augmentation in Redlands
Breast augmentation, or breast enlargement, uses breast implants to increase the size of the breasts at the same time that the surgeon reshapes the breast. This procedure is usually adopted by women with small breasts, women who have an asymmetry between the breasts or women who have lost volume after pregnancy and/or nursing.
Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery generally lasts between 1 and 3 hours at our Redlands plastic surgery office and can be conducted on either an inpatient or outpatient basis using either a general or local anesthetic coupled with sedation. There are three different types of incisions used to cut into the breast – each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
* Trans-axillary approach, where an incision is made through the armpit.
* Infra-mammary approach, where an incision is made in the natural crease under the breast.
* Peri-areolar approach, where the incision is made at the juncture between the areola (dark skin around the nipple) and the natural skin.
Regardless of the approach, once the incision is made, Inland Empire plastic surgeon Dr. Rau gently pulls the skin away from the muscle and soft tissue. and creates a pocket either in or below the pectoralis major or between the muscle and the breast gland tissue. An implant made of a silicone outer shell is inserted into the pocket and centered beneath the nipple. The implant is slowly filled with a saline solution until the desired size is reached. Dr. Rau closes the incision with sutures and the area may be draped with bandages. Drainage tubes may be inserted to help remove excess liquid over the next 1 to 2 days. The surgery generally lasts between 1 and 3 hours.
Recovery
There is the possibility of infection following any surgery. Redlands plastic surgeon Dr. Rau will likely prescribe antibiotics to avoid infection in addition to any pain medication. Bruising and swelling are common following breast augmentation surgery, particularly around the nipple area, and will subside slowly over 3 to 5 weeks. Patients may be required to wear a surgical bra for a while to support the breasts during recovery. Patients are encouraged to get up within the first 24 to 48 hours. Stitches are removed in 7 to 10 days and normal activity is resumed in roughly 2 weeks. However, strenuous activity and direct stimulation of the breasts are discouraged for up to 4 weeks.
Scars from breast augmentation surgery are permanent, but are usually placed as inconspicuously as possible. They do fade over a period of 6 to 9 months. Patients may experience a change in nipple sensation. Breast implants may also make performing and reading mammograms more difficult. Pregnancy can affect the long-term stability of breast implants. Be sure to discuss all the alternative surgical options with Redlands plastic surgeon Dr. Rau to make the best choice for you.
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Redlands Breast Reduction
Large breasts may be cosmetically desirable for some women, but they often result in unwanted side effects, such as chronic neck, back and shoulder pain, poor posture, or a skin rash below and between the breasts. Many large-breasted women develop deep grooves on their shoulders from bra straps. Physical activities may be restricted, and fitting and wearing comfortable clothes may be difficult. For women dissatisfied with these side effects, breast reduction can be the answer.
Procedure
Breast reduction surgery can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. General anesthesia is most commonly used. California plastic surgeon Dr. Rau makes an anchor-shaped incision around the areola, vertically from the areola to the natural crease below the breast, and horizontally across the crease below the breast. Excess skin, fat and breast tissue is removed to reach the desired size. Sutures are used to close the incision. If the reduction is dramatic, the areola may need to be removed and repositioned on the breast. The surgery generally lasts about 3 hours.
Recovery
Drainage tubes may be inserted in the breasts to help remove excess liquid the first day or two after the surgery. A dressing will also cover the area. Swelling, bruising and sensitivity are normal the first few weeks and will dissipate over time. Generally, sutures are removed in 7 to 10 days and patients return to work within 2 to 3 weeks. However, no heavy lifting or strenuous activity is permitted for 4 to 6 weeks.
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Breast Lift in Redlands, California
You may have noticed that your breasts sag due to loss of skin elasticity. Time, gravity, weight loss, pregnancy, or breast-feeding may negatively affect the position and shape of your breasts, leading you to desire a breast lift (mastopexy) from California plastic surgeon Dr. Rau.
Desired Results of Breast Lift Plastic Surgery
You may seek a breast lift from Redlands plastic surgeon Dr. Rau if you are satisfied with the size of your breasts, but would like a raised, more youthful breast contour. Breast lift cosmetic surgery can enhance your confidence and sexuality.
Your Individual Goals
Your breast lift cosmetic surgery goals will be discussed realistically with California plastic surgeon Dr. Rau. Breast lifts are often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery. Together you will decide which procedures Dr. Rau will perform in order to achieve your desired results. You will set a date for surgery and be given instructions about how to prepare. You will also schedule a pre-operative appointment to review your medical history, take pre-operative photographs, and (if you are also undergoing breast enlargement surgery) experiment with sizer implants.
Breast Lift Procedure Details
On the day of surgery, you will have a final consultation with Redlands plastic surgeon Dr. Rau. Your breast lift procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Rau offers several breast lift incision options, which usually heal well and present minimal scarring:
* Crescent lift (the most minimal lift, leaving a slight scar on the upper areola)
* Circumareolar lift (also called a donut or Benelli lift, creating an incision around the areola)
* Lollipop incision (incision running vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the breast crease)
* Anchor lift (also called a Wise pattern (incision around the nipple, vertically from the bottom edge of the areola and then horizontally beneath the breast)
You may be sore for a few days after your breast lift procedure, but soon you will be able to resume your normal activities.
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Redlands Breast Reconstruction
Many women lose one or both breasts to cancer. Though she has overcome a life-threatening illness, her self-confidence and sense of identity may suffer after mastectomy surgery. Breast reconstruction plastic surgery can help you if you have lost a breast to cancer or another condition. Board certified Redlands plastic surgeon Dr. Rau can create a new breast for you.
Results
You may notice a more shapely silhouette after your breast reconstruction surgery. With the new breast or breasts Dr. Rau creates for you, you’ll feel more confident. Your clothes will fit the way you want them to–you may need to buy some new undergarments and clothing for yourself.
Your Individual Goals
Your goals for your breast reconstruction are important to Dr. Rau. Together you will discuss the possible results of breast reconstruction cosmetic surgery. Then you will agree on which procedures Dr. Rau will perform.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery Procedure Details
For your safety and comfort, general anesthesia is used during your breast reconstruction surgery. Because many women do not have enough tissue on their chest wall (especially after having a mastectomy or radiation therapy), Dr. Rau uses tissue expansion or the flap technique to support the saline or silicone breast implant.
Using the flap technique, Dr. Rau takes muscle, or fat and skin, from your abdomen to reconstruct your breast. If you choose, you can use implants instead or in addition to the flap technique. An alternative is to visit Dr. Rau over the course of several months, during which time his tissue expansion technique will stretch your healthy skin enough to cover the silicone or saline breast implant.
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