Breast Procedures on Long Island

Breast Augmentation- Serving Nassau & Suffolk County

Patients can achieve their body image goals with a surgical procedure that enhances both the size and shape of their breast. Also known as breast implants, breast augmentation can also improve breast volume after pregnancy, balance asymmetrical breasts or rebuild a breast that was damaged by disease or injury.

Some of the common criteria for our mammoplasty patients include good health, realistic expectations and breasts that are fully developed. Women who are considering breast implants are typically bothered by breasts that:

• Are too small
• Have lost shape because of aging, pregnancy or weight loss
• Are uneven in size or shape
• Have failed to develop normally

The most important aspect of breast augmentation is the selection of a breast implant. Our experienced Breast Augmentation staff understands that you want a bust line that looks natural and fits the frame of your body. We help you choose the correct size, shape and texture of breast implants, so you can attain your objectives. Once the breast implants are chosen, it will be time for the actual surgery. Your breast augmentation with us will generally take about one to two hours. The surgeon will usually begin with one of these common incisions:

• Inframammary (near the crease, just under the breast)
• Axillary (in the underarm area)
• Periarerolar (at the edge of the areola, the pigmented skin around the nipple)

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Long Island

A breast lift offers women the chance to restore their bust line to a more youthful shape. As you age, your breasts begin to sag and your skin loses it’s elasticity. Having children or shredding a large amount of weight can also wear on your breasts, causing them to diminish in volume or tone.

There are many reasons why women opt for a breast lift. Of the patients who visit us, the majority are concerned about:

• Sagging breasts that have lost shape and volume
• Breasts that are flat, elongated or pendulous
• Nipples that fall below the breast crease
• Nipples and areolas that point downward
• Stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• One breast that is lower than the other

There are three common breast lift incisions used by our surgical staff. They are:

• Around the areola
• Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
• Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and then horizontally along the breast increase

Breast Reduction Long Island

You know what it’s like to live with uncomfortably large breasts – the shoulder and neck pain, the difficulty exercising, finding clothing that fits properly. Having breasts that are too large for your frame affects so many parts of your life, and when you’re ready to make a change for the better, you can turn to one of the best plastic surgeons in Long Island, Dr. Pamela Gallagher. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Gallagher has helped thousands of women become comfortable with their breast size.

What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction , also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts. Women turn to breast reduction for many personal reasons, including:

• Reducing neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts
• Improving self-confidence about breast size
• Decreasing breast size to be in proportion with body frame
• Redirecting nipples that hang down
• Relieving chafing and skin irritation caused by sagging breast skin
• Balancing the size of asymmetrical breasts

Candidates For Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is a good option for you if you:

• Are physically healthy
• Are bothered by feeling that your breasts are too large
• Have breasts that limit your physical activity
• Experience back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• Have shoulder indentations from bra straps
• Have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
• Have breasts that are too large for your frame
• Have realistic expectations
• Don’t smoke

Breast Reduction Surgery & Recovery

Breast reduction surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. After making the incisions, your cosmetic surgeon will remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, moving the nipple/areola complex to a higher, more forward position on the chest. The remaining breast tissue and skin will be reshaped and closed with dissolvable sutures. The areolas can be reduced to a more proportional size during the procedure as well.

After spending a brief time in the recovery room, you will be able to go home that same day to continue your recovery. Your chest will be bandaged, and you may be sent home in a surgical bra. You can expect to feel considerable soreness the first couple of days after your procedure, and Dr. Gallagher will prescribe pain medication to help keep you comfortable during this initial period. Gently placing ice packs on top of the bandages can help alleviate discomfort as well.

The amount of time you need to recover from breast reduction will depend on your natural healing rate as well as the extent of surgery performed. You will be able to get up and walk around the same day of surgery, although you should have someone with you during the first 24 hours. While you may be permitted to shower a few days after surgery, you will probably need help getting dressed, as you will not have full range of motion in your chest and shoulders at first.

Most patients feel ready to drive and return to a desk job within 1 week, after they are no longer taking prescription pain medication. You will most likely need to wait a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks before resuming exercise other than walking; this helps to ensure your incisions heal properly. It is essential to follow Dr. Gallagher’s instructions regarding activity after breast reduction.

Breast Reduction Insurance Coverage

Many health insurance plans cover breast reduction surgery for qualified candidates. We will do our best to obtain authorization from your insurer for the surgery if you are a qualified candidate. This may require a letter and the submission of photographs. Once an authorization is obtained, you will be able to schedule your surgery.

You will be responsible for any co-pays or deductible required by your insurer. If your health plan does not cover breast reduction, you may decide to pay for the surgery yourself.

Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction) Long Island

Gynecomastia is a condition, which is largely genetic and can be a source of embarrassment for many men. An estimated 50 percent of men, especially over the age of 50, will experience an abundance of tissue in the breast area, referred to as gynecomastia. Patients who have gynecomastia will experience at least one of the following in on or both breasts:

• Excess localized fat
• Excess glandular tissue development
• A combination of both excess fat and glandular tissue

Breast Reconstruction

With over 30 years of experience, our team of plastic surgeons at Island Plastic Surgery in Long Island, NY, are here to help you rebuild your bust and regain your confidence. Our goal is to help you recapture your positive body image with breast reconstruction. Reconstructive breast surgery has helped millions of women regain restore their bust lines. Our patients can always trust Island Plastic Surgery to deliver the very best results.

Contact Island Plastic Surgery today for any breast surgery needs!