Breast Procedures

Patients at Renaissance Plastic Surgery enjoy the highest-quality medical care tailored to their individual aesthetic goals.


Breast Augmentation

Used to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts, breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. Women may choose to have breast augmentation performed to enhance the contours of the body or to balance asymmetrical breasts. Additionally, many women have breast augmentation performed in conjunction with breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Breast augmentation is accomplished using breast implants, and the overall outcome of the procedure is influenced by a number of factors, including:

Breast Implant Size and Type

High-profile breast implants can be used to achieve a rounder look, while moderate-profile breast implants produce a more natural shape. The breast augmentation surgeons can help patients determine the size and shape that will be most appropriate for them.

Incision Location

Breast augmentation can be performed through incisions in the underarm, breast crease, or areola depending on the patient's preference and doctor's recommendation.

Breast Implant Placement

The breast implant may be placed under or over the pectoralis muscle. Both options have specific benefits and may be more appropriate for certain body types or appearance goals. During your consultation, these approaches can be discussed in greater detail.

Most of our breast augmentation patients enjoy a rapid recovery and are able to return to light activities in about a week. However, every breast augmentation procedure is unique. Our talented plastic surgeons tailor the procedure to meet the specific needs of the patient. We can help you make your vision a beautiful reality. To learn more about breast augmentation, please contact us.

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Breast Lift

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to lift and reshape sagging breasts. Often a breast lift will also reduce the size of the areola (the darker area around the nipple) that may have become enlarged over time. If your breasts are small or have lost volume, breast augmentation may be performed in conjunction with a breast lift to also increase the size of the breasts.

With a breast lift, incisions may be made around the areola and extend down the bottom side of the breast and along the lower crease. The excess skin is then removed and the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to lift and reshape the breast. Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for a modified procedure requiring smaller incisions, potentially just around the areola.

After a breast lift, your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for several days. Patients may plan on returning to work in one to two weeks. For more information about a breast lift, please contact us.

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Breast Reduction

For some women, having large, heavy breasts is burdensome and causes feelings of self-consciousness. There are many reasons women give for desiring smaller breasts: the ability to wear certain clothes, more athletic freedom, less unwanted attention, reduced physical discomfort, and so forth. Breast reduction can make these dreams a reality. At our St. Louis , Missouri area practice, our experienced plastic surgeons use the most advanced breast reduction techniques to achieve proportionate, natural-looking results.

During the breast reduction procedure, incisions are made around the areola and extend down the breast and along the crease. After excess skin and tissue are removed, the breast is reshaped and lifted to create a more flattering look and pleasing body contour. The nipple-areolar complex is also raised to a higher position.

Following breast reduction surgery, the chest is wrapped in an elastic bandage, and a small tube is sometimes inserted to drain excess fluids. Typically, the cosmetic surgeon will remove the breast reduction stitches in one to two weeks, while the bandage may stay on for up to one month. Patients recovering from breast reduction surgery are generally able to return to work in two weeks.

For more information about breast reduction, please contact us.

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Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlarged male breasts. To varying degrees, this condition affects almost half of all men. Male breast reduction seeks to address the physical characteristics of gynecomastia as well as increase self-esteem. While breast reduction surgery may be performed on men of any age, it is discouraged for those who suffer from obesity, as well as for men who drink alcohol excessively or smoke marijuana.

Gynecomastia treatment extracts excess fat and tissue from the breast to produce a flatter, firmer body contour. Depending on the unique needs of the patient, male breast reduction can be accomplished with a number of techniques. For most patients, liposuction alone can be utilized to effectively treat gynecomastia. This technique produces incredibly natural-looking results with little or no visible scarring. When a more extensive breast reduction approach is used, the plastic surgeons carefully modify the treatment plan to meet the patient's individual goals and needs.

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