There are many reasons why women have plastic surgery performed on their breasts. For some women, their breasts may be too small, for others it may be a need to correct an imbalance or perhaps reconstruct their breasts after a mastectomy.

Whatever your decision, your consideration of breast implants, for either reconstruction or augmentation, should be based on realistic expectations of the results.

Surgery of the breast is performed to enhance the size or shape of a women's breast for cosmetic, medical or reconstructive reasons.

• Breast Augmentation

• Saline Filled Breast Implants

• Silicone Gel Breast Implants

• Breast Lift

• Breast Reduction

• Breast Reconstruction

Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty)

Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure for women and among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures.  Dr. DuBou performs breast augmentation using the following breast implants:

• Saline filled breast implants

• Silicone gel breast implants

Saline Filled Breast Implants

A saline-filled implant is inserted under the crease in the breast, around the nipple or through the armpit.  The implant can be placed under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.  After surgery, breasts will appear "fuller" and more shapely in contour.  Incision scars will fade or disappear over time.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Dr. DuBou is currently participating in an approved study using the new silicone gel breast implants.  The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that new gel-filled implants, at the present time, should be available only to women participating in approved studies.  Some women requiring replacement of the implants may also be eligible to participate in the study

For before and after examples of breast augmentation, please click here.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin's natural elasticity begin to have an effect on the appearance of a woman's breasts.  These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing, will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness.

A breastlift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.  The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).  Breast implants inserted in conjunction with a mastopexy procedure can increase both firmness and size.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

Large, pendulous breasts may cause a woman to potentially experience various medical problems caused by the excessive weight of the breast tissue.  Problems with posture, skeletal deformities, back and neck pain, skin irritations and breathing problems are common with this condition.  Bra straps often leave indentations in the shoulder area.  Many women, especially teenage girls, are very self-conscious if they have unusually large breasts.

Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) removes fat, glandular tissue, and excessive skin, resulting in smaller, lighter and firmer breasts that are better-shaped in proportion to rest of the body.

Breast Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy due to cancer or other disease is quite possible with today's surgical procedures.  The procedure is often covered by many HMOs after breast cancer surgery and legislation is currently before Congress to enact mandatory coverage.  Using the newest medical techniques, a plastic surgeon is often able to create a breast that is similar in form and appearance to that of the natural breast.  A consultation will provide you with information on the many available options for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.