The approximate amount of breast tissue removed during a breast reduction will be determined after consultation with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Your goals for breast reduction will factor into what this amount will be. Remember also that bra sizing is quite variable, so for example, if you are currently a DDD and want to go down to a D cup, you may still be a C cup in one brand or DD in another brand/manufacturer. Viewing examples of other breast reduction patients’ before and after pictures may help you determine the scale of change in breast size you desire. Thorough discussion with your surgeon will help ensure that you obtain your desired outcome. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area by visiting the ASAPS website home page.

Mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds are the recommended imaging modalities for breast cancer screening. These methods typically will not fracture breast implants. Be sure to let your doctor and the imaging team know that you have breast implants, in case additional views are needed to better evaluate your breast tissue. Regarding your second question, surgical intervention is most likely needed to treat capsular contracture of breast implants. This may entail opening the capsule and removing part or all of the capsule. I encourage you to check with your medical doctor regarding your breast health, and also seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your capsular contracture. Visit the ASAPS homepage to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you. For more information regarding breast cancer imaging, visit the National Cancer Institute (NCI) website at cancer.gov (or try the following link: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms)

First, congratulations on the birth of your baby last year! Getting back into shape and your previous state of health and wellness are great goals to pursue. There are numerous variables to consider: I’m sure you are familiar with the importance of diet and exercise. Are you still breastfeeding? Are you planning any future pregnancies? If you are done breastfeeding, are not planning any more pregnancies, and have optimized your diet and exercise regimen, surgical intervention (in the form of a “tummy tuck”) may help. Although there are many types of “tummy tucks”, the general concept is removal of excess skin and fatty tissue from the belly area; this may be accompanied by plication of the rectus muscle (“the abs”), which is essentially creates an internal corset with sutures. Liposuction may be additional procedure to consider, as this can further help shape and sculpture your belly, flanks, and love handle areas, and improve the overall aesthetics of your abdomen and waist. Don’t forget that you can go to the ASAPS homepage to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your specific goals and options.

Congratulations on your weight loss and your goal of improving your overall health! Breasts change with pregnancy - becoming larger, then decreasing in size after childbirth and breastfeeding. Often, breasts may acquire a deflated, drooping appearance, with the nipple and breast tissue sitting much lower on your chest than before — perhaps below the breast fold or even with downward pointing nipples. Surgical options would depend on the appearance of your breasts and your goals. A breast lift (mastopexy) may be sufficient to give you your desired look by redraping the majority of your breast tissue to sit above the breast fold. Another possibility is breast implant augmentation, if loss of volume in the upper half of your breasts is your main concern. Sometimes both a mastopexy and breast augmentation as staged procedures (i.e. two separate surgeries) may be recommended. Fat grafting may also be used in addition to other procedures. Age is less important than your overall state of health. Locate a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area to discuss your specific needs and options by visiting the ASAPS website homepage. As well, I encourage you to visit your primary care physician to make sure you are up-to-date with your breast health, in terms of clinician breast exams and mammograms.