5 Things You Should Know About breast Augmentation Surgery

‘…really wish I had bigger boobs. I mean, not Page 3 size, not completely enormous and stupid, but you know, bigger. Just to know what it’s like…’*

If that sounds like your deep down wish, then you are at the right place. We understand that a woman’s curves are the most treasured of her assets and how not being naturally blessed with a beautiful cleavage can diminish her self-confidence by manifolds. Push-ups and pads offer a transient solution but nothing can replicate the feel of having the real thing. And because every woman deserve only the best, we have listed the must-knows before you opt for a breast augmentation surgery:

1. Type of implant 

You can either get a silicon-based or an autologous tissue implant. If opting for the former, make sure that it is FDA approved; for the latter the best option is to use fat taken out from an area of your body which has unwanted fat deposits. This is transferred to the breast tissue and you get complimentary body contouring in the process. The only flip side of using this procedure is that some of this transferred fat might get absorbed over time. 

2. Shape of augmented breast

You have the option to either maintain the natural shape of your breast which resembles a tear drop by choosing an anatomical shaped implant or you can balloon up both the upper and lower poles of your breasts by using a round implant.    

3. Visibility of scar

Most surgeons give an inframammary incision to put in an implant that gets hidden by the fall of the breast, although it may show when you lie down. Another approach is making a trans-axillary cut that is veiled in your armpit but it holds the risk of an implant shift. The best of all is a periareolar incision i.e. a cut made on the dark and light skin interface on your breast which heals beautifully and is very well concealed.  However, a plastic surgeon needs special training to be able to perform such a surgery. 

4. Placement of implant 

With respect to the location of an implant, plastic surgeons hold two schools of though, below the breast gland and below the pectoral chest muscle. Ideally a surgeon should be trained for both the techniques and must be able to tailor fit the procedure depending on the patient’s tissue characteristics. For example, if the patient is an athlete, the implant should not be placed below the muscle for the muscle movement may alter its position. 

5. Cleavage 

The depth of your cleavage can be designed based on your requirement and wish. 

With this we conclude our three-part series of the nitty gritties of a breast cosmetic surgery. Armed with this newfound knowledge, we urge you to go get your due. 

To read about the details of a breast reduction surgery, click here.

*Adapted from Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella 

Quick Guide: Scope And Possibility Of Breast Reconstructive Surgery

To go through the horrors of battling breast cancer is an ordeal in itself and to top that if it involves removal of one or both breasts it invokes unspeakable torment in a woman’s heart threatening to shatter her to the point of no return, for it is rhetorical to even wonder the importance of breasts for a woman and how indispensable and innate a part of her body and image they are. 

To want to get rid of the cancer as quickly as possible would be the top priority and it is instinctive for the patient and her family to want to tackle the treatment related procedures first. But once that is done and she is free of the cancer, the magnitude of the trauma of living without any breasts sets in. It is deeply unsettling for the patient, affecting her psychologically as well as emotionally. And in order to lead a normal life and feel no different from anybody around her, she would want to somehow get them back. A wish, that is sadly not granted to many as they are unacquainted with the options available to them after a mastectomy or feel that it is beyond their reach because of insufficient awareness and counselling. Some also have the misconception that a new breast can lead to the recurrence of the cancer or are not guided in the right direction at the time of surgery and are rendered clueless about whom to approach for a reconstruction. 

To clear the air around it, let us begin by answering these questions first. 

One, a reconstructed breast does not render one susceptible to cancer again as the breast gland has already been removed, and all that is there now posing as a breast is new tissue. So the cancer cannot strike back there. And two, a reconstructive surgery is the job of a Plastic-Reconstructive surgeon and not an oncologist. In order to craft totally natural looking and symmetric breasts, the surgeon needs to specialize in breast surgery. Breast reconstruction can be immediately performed after the mastectomy in the same surgical procedure so that the patient does not have to go through the pain of living with amputated breasts, but in case it hasn’t been done simultaneously, one can go for a secondary reconstruction i.e. the reconstructive surgery can be deferred to a later date.  

Reconstruction is of four types. A simple reconstruction involves putting in a silicone implant but it sometimes holds the threat of tearing the skin. This can be overcome by performing an implant plus tissue reconstruction where a muscle flap is used along with an implant.  The third type is an autologous tissue reconstruction. This involves taking out tissue mostly from the abdomen area and transferring it to the breast as a flap. It is advantageous in the sense that no foreign material is inserted in the body. Moreover it gives a shapely contour to the abdomen. The fourth type of reconstructive surgery is called fat grafting where undesired fat from different parts of the body is extracted through liposuction and used for sculpting new breasts. Any particular combination of these four techniques can be used depending on the requirements and individual needs of the patient. 

A breast reconstruction surgery, needless to say can have life altering implications for those who are rendered without this essential body organ, who are otherwise facing a lifetime ahead with a distorted body and quiet possibly self-image and worth, day in and day out living with the constant reminder of their illness, the agonizing experience and its vestiges.

So, if you know any woman who had to go through cancer and its aftermaths and can benefit from a breast reconstruction surgery, inform her about it, for you will be helping her get her life back. 

Coming up next week, the last in this series - 5 Things You Should Know About breast Augmentation Surgery! Till then…

Things To Know Before Going For A Breast Reduction Surgery

We all have that one friend who is tired of her big breasts and is forever conscious or that other one who is always picking out padded brassieres to boost her confidence.  In fact very few of us are blessed with those perfect feminine curves we envy on actors and models. Blame it on genetics or pregnancy and ageing, make peace with it or pretend that nothing’s wrong, the truth is that breasts form an integral part of a woman’s vanity and self-esteem; and having an option to alter their appearance can be a God-sent for many. Whether it’s a question of augmenting or lessening their size, or a breast-lift, the answer lies in cosmetic surgery which promises dramatic results, giving you a more assured, happier self!

In the first of this three part series, we are going to talk about the nitty-gritty details you should be aware of before undergoing a breast reduction/lift surgery.

Upper fullness 

Breasts slump due to excessive size so much so that the upper poles flatten. Merely reducing their size will compromise on their beauty and will prune your cleavage. Ensure that your breasts are shaped such that you have upper fullness and the desired cleavage. 

Size of nipples and areolae

Placement of nipples and areolae on the breast mound plays an important role in the physical appearance of your breasts. Therefore restoring the size, location and looks of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) to its younger self is essential. You should also be aware that’s its possible to restore NAC to a higher point on the breast mound if it has sagged naturally due to ageing, breast feeding and pregnancy.

Projection of the breast 

Your surgery can be designed in such a way that the projection of your breasts is manipulated. You have the option to choose amongst a low, medium or high projection.

Scar

A breast augmentation surgery will result in a scar and there is no way around it. So you need to decide whether you want huge scar less breasts which don’t look good and may give you pain in the your back or more aesthetically pleasing, smaller breasts with a minor scar. However you have a choice between the old inverted T practice and the latest vertical one that avoids the horizontal component of the inverted T technique, and gives a smaller mark.

Ergo don’t settle for just a reduced size ladies, strive to get gorgeous revamped breasts! 

How to choose a plastic surgeon for your cosmetic surgery

If you are reading this blog, then you are convinced that you should opt for a cosmetic surgery. Phew! Half of our job done! ;) 

On a more serious note, the next big question that arises is: How to choose a good and experienced plastic surgeon for your surgery? 

Since cosmetic surgery is not a part of the age-long and ‘routine’ medical procedures, your search for a good surgeon might not get narrowed down so easily. To help you make an informed decision, here is a list of the must-knows before you zero-in on one.

1. Training

Well, for starters you should know the difference between surgeons who earn their degree and those who buy it, so a background check of her/his college and qualifications is important.  S/he should be board-certified and a plastic surgeon by training.

It wouldn’t hurt to pick one who has international training and worldwide exposure so that you can cash maximum out of her/his experience.

2. Sense of Aesthetics

You want to undergo a cosmetic surgery to enhance your existing physical appearance. So it would be wise to choose a surgeon who has an eye for detail and suggests ways to improve the overall aesthetic result during consultation. 

An example will make this point clearer. For a hair transplant, pick a surgeon who advises you on creation of a more natural looking hairline rather than the one who tries the sell her/his technique i.e. someone who recommends inclusion of finer touches that can give you a completely natural and enhanced look.

3. Honesty 

A plastic surgeon’s credibility can be easily measured by how authentic and truthful s/he is. Make sure your surgeon conveys what ‘can-be’ and ‘cannot-be’ achieved during the consult itself. 

Honesty about the outcomes of the surgery right from the beginning gives you realistic expectations. Dissatisfaction will be ensured if you are promised the moon and it’s not delivered. 

4. Informed & Updated 

Cosmetic surgery has evolved so fast in recent years that it is imperative to choose a surgeon who has knowledge of recent trends and is abreast with the changing techniques and technologies. Here comes the role of the younger generation of cosmetic surgeons who have learned latest techniques that did not exist at the time their seniors took their training. 

Do extensive research on the classical and contemporary procedures and make certain that you don’t settle for anything short of the best. 

5. Appealing and Fine-looking Set-up

‘Style is a reflection of your aptitude and your personality.’

If your surgeon is particular about the aesthetic outcome of the surgery, it should mirror in the environment s/he works in. A shabby set-up may as well pronounce a namesake result of your surgery.  

6. Good pre- and post-op pictures 

You cannot blindly trust a plastic surgeon based on his promotional antics. Do ensure that the surgeon shares her/his body of work with you during consultation and you get a fair idea of the procedure and outcomes by viewing the pre- & post-operational pictures of her/his prior work. 

7. Duration of consultation

You should opt for a surgeon who gives ample time during consultation, taking you through the journey of expectations, procedure and outcomes lucidly and patiently so that all your doubts are cleared, and your apprehensions and fears are taken care of.

Since you are trusting this surgeon with your body, expect the best possible treatment. 

Finally, though it can't be categorised under the ‘life saving’ sort, cosmetic surgery is definitely a ‘life altering’ one for many; and since your exterior appearance is at stake, the choice of your surgeon can make or break the deal! 

So try to get as many ticks in this checklist as you can. 

Wishing you a happy surgery… and a great new look!

Top 10 Plastic Surgery Myths Busted!

There are many misconceptions revolving around the hows, whys and whats of plastic surgery. Since its not as common as going to a physician for an infection or consulting a dermatologist for acne, sometimes people don’t even realize how it might benefit them and change their lives. Though it has gained popularity in India in the past ten years or so, many people are not well acquainted with its procedures and outcomes. Moreover their notion of plastic surgery is very distorted, most of the ‘knowledge’ being apparently derived from hearsay, with neighbourhood aunties, relatives and gossip magazines being the prime source. 

Keeping in mind the same, we have compiled a list of the most everyday myths about plastic surgery and its results to set the records straight. Keep reading...maybe you’ll decide that one of these was stopping you from getting one!

• It is not meant for the masses

It is a very common conviction that only models and film stars go for cosmetic surgery since their career demands them to have a perfectly sculpted body and face to look more attractive on screen. Au contraire, increasing number of people these days are opting for hair transplants, liposuction, breast augmentation and eye beautification to raise the low levels self-confidence and morale that set in due to ageing and imperfections in their bodies. Believe us when we say that many in your immediate social circle might have got it done and you never came to know about it!

• It is extremely expensive and not worth the money 

This is one of the biggest delusions and many people back out because of the expenses involved. What they fail to comprehend is that this cost is relative. The results of a plastic surgery are not transient and no amount of money can compare the value of getting a changed and better physical appearance. After all, we have only one face and one body. Read more

• Plastic surgery leaves scars

It’s true that tucking away loose skin demands stitching it up. But since the ultimate goal is to enhance your aesthetic appeal, the scars are either concealed or camouflaged well and cannot be seen easily, giving you a natural look with no obvious signs of surgery.

• People go abroad for plastic surgery 

Plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques date back to 600 BC and India boasts of being home to the first plastic surgeon, Sushutra. Even today, Indian plastic surgeons are considered to be one of the best worldwide and many international patients fly in here for surgery.

• Cosmetic and plastic surgery are one and the same thing

Although used interchangeably, plastic surgery is a much broader term, which encompasses reconstructive, cosmetic as well as hand surgery. Whereas, cosmetic surgery mainly deals with restoring or improving the exterior appearance. This requires a strong knowledge base, high levels of training and practical experience. Above all, the surgeon needs to have an eye to appreciate finer nuances that improve your aesthetic appearance.

• Men do not opt for plastic surgery 

This illusion crops from the belief that beauty and improved looks are required and desired only by women. But irrespective of gender, a flabby body or premature balding becomes a cause of distress and low self-esteem. You’ll be amazed to know that there is an extensive range of plastic surgery services available for men, viz. hair transplant, six-pack abs, male breast reduction, penile enlargement, face lift, abdominoplasty, and rhinoplasty.

• Fat is regained after liposuction 

You have the same number of fat cells in your body right now, as it was when you were born. Surprised? Technically speaking, the number of fat cells in a body remains fixed throughout one’s lifetime. Body does not lose or gain these cells. Our food habits and lifestyle choices lead to an increase in their size and hence, the weight gain. In a plastic surgery, fat cells are sucked out and stubborn pockets of fat are eliminated. Possibility of weight gain after surgery is low, the primary factor being reverting to eccentric diet and exercise patterns.

However, you must realise that nothing is permanent in life. Even a newly constructed house requires revamping after a few years! 

• Face lift gives a frozen-face look 

The outcomes of an aesthetic surgery all come down to the skills and experience of the plastic surgeon. Failure to choose one wisely may lead to irreparable damage resulting in a face full of mistakes. Hence it is crucial to pick a competent and qualified surgeon who has an eye for detailed aesthetic evaluation and tailors his technique according to your requirements. Moreover, endoscopic surgeries are done these days, which give a scar free, and more natural look.

• Hair transplant is painful and the results are not permanent 

False! If the transplanted hair are taken from the permanent donor area and the proper technique is used, they will grow as normal hair and not fall throughout your lifetime.  You can cut them, shave them, style them, shampoo them, dye them or colour them, without worrying about any of them getting damaged!

As for the procedure being painful, the entire surgery is done under local anesthesia and the patient is fully conscious during the procedure. Mild post-op pain stays for 3-4 days and can be easily tackled with painkillers.

• Breast augmentation impairs breast feeding

Apart form being an integral part of a woman’s vanity, breasts serve the vital function of lactation after childbirth. Ergo it is instinctive to worry about the results of breast augmentation or reduction on breast-feeding. But with the advancements in technology, it is now possible to choose the technique best suited to your requirement so that milk production is not hampered. 

So go ahead, explore your options. You never know, this might be the best decision you ever made for yourself!

How worthy is it to invest in a plastic surgery?

‘It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness,’ said Leo Tolstoy. It’s indeed true that beauty lies within the heart and the true measure of happiness lies in inner beauty. Some even argue that nature has made each one of us unique, and we must adorn our physical appearance with pride and confidence - something that is easier said than done when ones personal or professional life is hanging on the cliff on account of her/his external appearance and desperate measures are pursued to improve upon it. Ask the woman who lives in constant fear of her husband cheating on her, almost dangling on the edge of depression or a child born without an ear, not being able to wear earrings, spectacles or even sunglasses for that matter for the rest of her life, or perhaps the anxious parents of a 1-year old child who fear that their son will have a scar on his face all his life owing to a cut he wound up having.

In an age where the façade of pancake and designer labels overshadow the person underneath, Anjali Sen*, a 30-year old wife of an MNC executive could not dress according to the standards set by the society due to her overflowing flab and felt that she was always being sidelined at parties and other social events. This drove her so insecure that she felt her marriage would break if she didn’t seek help.

In a social setting like ours, one’s outer appearance tends to have a direct link with our behaviour and performance. Be it dealing with clients, running a successful business, being the head turner at parties or simply feeling buoyant and attractive. No amount of money can measure the significance of an individual’s conviction about her/his self- worth and desire to look and feel good.

But it is strange that while we don’t think twice about spending thousands of bucks on dinners in high-end restaurants or buying a designer ensemble for an occasion, which we might not even wear again, we feel that getting a cosmetic surgery costs an enormous sum of money, which is not justified. What we fail to realize is that while the luxury items we splurge on without batting an eyelid are transient and might give momentary happiness, an improved appearance lives with us forever. It’s a part of our body, which will not wash away with the next day’s bath or be thrown into some corner of the wardrobe to be forgotten about. Think of it this way; while Rolex watches start at around 3 lakhs apiece, a hair transplant surgery from a good and recognised surgeon may cost somewhere between 1-1.5 lakhs. Which would be a reasonable choice if faced with premature balding, a watch to flaunt till you get bored of it or a head full of hair for the rest of your life, taking years off your face and making you feel attractive again?

Plastic surgery removes imperfections and it can be life altering for those who feel that they need or deserve to look better and raises their dipping levels of confidence and self-esteem. And hence opting for cheaper alternatives would imply taking a huge risk with your body. Imagine waking up every morning and staring at the constant reminder of a failed surgery in the mirror, repenting a mistake that cannot be rectified easily, living with the consequences permanently visible on your face or body for the rest of your life.

So lets face it: It might cost a tad more than what you are willing to spend, but if given an option to have the right curves in the right places, or fuller lips and a perfect jawline to give you that radiant smile you always desired, or those envious sculpted features you admired on your favourite actor, would you rather trade them for a Cartier watch or a Birkin bag? 

Choose wisely; after all it’s your body and your decision. 

* Name changed to protect privacy 

Dr Rajat Gupta is a well-known plastic & cosmetic surgeon practicing in New Delhi. His in-depth knowledge and passion for cosmetic surgery sets him apart from others in this field. He is acknowledged by his colleagues, for his eye to detailed aesthetic evaluation of each body part. He is among the first few in India to start Endoscopic (Minimally invasive) Facelift Surgery.