Breast Surgery

What we do procedurally and who is the right candidate for the surgery

At Elliot Hospital our plastics and reconstructive surgery team specializes in various breast procedures including:

• Breast reduction surgery
• Breast augmentation surgery
• Breast lift (Mastopexy)
• Breast reconstruction with implants
• Breast reconstruction with your tissue
• Gynecomastia surgery

The ideal candidate for breast surgery is an overall healthy individual who is hoping to increase their confidence in their appearance, or who has had breast cancer or another serious breast disease. Individuals considering breast surgery should not have medical conditions that could impair healing, such as poorly controlled diabetes and conditions that require treatment with immunosuppressants or steroids.

Your Consultation Process with Us and Preparing for Surgery

During your consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your concerns and your goals as well as your medical and surgical history. Your surgeon will explain your surgical options, discuss your expectations, and determine what results can be achieved safely. A breast exam will be performed, and photographs will be taken at the time of consultation to help with planning your procedure.

Your surgical team will discuss how to prepare for surgery. You will be educated on which medications to avoid before surgery, any preoperative testing that may be required, instructions for any new medications that will be added before or after surgery, drain care if applicable, risks of surgery, as well as postoperative restrictions and incision care.

Recovery and The New You

Results from your procedure will be noticeable immediately however full recovery takes four to six weeks and it takes at least six weeks for most of the swelling to resolve. You can expect to be bruised and swollen for the first two weeks, but this will improve over time. Six weeks is the timeframe where you can expect to have no restrictions if you have healed appropriately and had no complications. The breasts will continue to settle, soften, and take shape over the next six to 12 months. Incisions take a full 12 to 18 months to heal and fade. Scars are permanent but they do fade and improve over time.

You will have routine visits scheduled with your plastic surgeon and/or physician assistant/nurse practitioner after surgery. At these visits, we will discuss your healing, any questions or concerns you may have, take photos and help guide you with tips for recovery as well as how to care for your incisions. 

You and your plastic surgeon need to discuss your goals and be sure that your expectations are both realistic and aligned. Our mission is always to provide patients with their ideal result. However, sometimes patients require additional procedures to achieve their desired outcome.