As we age, women will often experience drooping (ptosis) in a variety of places. One of the areas frequently affected is the breast, as the surrounding skin becomes loose, eventually sagging from poor elasticity. Several things can cause this ptosis, such as normal aging of the skin, but it can be more extreme with a heavy chest. Over the years, large breasts, whether natural or from breast implants, can pull and stretch the breast tissue downward. Regardless of the cause, the problem of lax, flabby tissue will need to be addressed in order to completely rejuvenate the breasts.
There are several different types of breast rejuvenation procedures; deciding which surgery is right for you will be determined by the condition of the skin, the amount of excess breast tissue, and your individual aesthetic goals.
Rejuvenation Procedures
The simplest breast rejuvenation procedure, with the fastest recovery, removes only the excess loose skin on the chest. In most women, however, a simple skin excision is not enough to provide adequate rejuvenation.
Depending on the amount of natural breast tissue, a more complex procedure may be performed in which the excess tissue is removed and breast implants are inserted. This not only rids the chest of the slack tissue, but it provides a fuller, raised breast.
Once a large amount of tissue has been removed, a nipple revision may be needed to bring the nipple-areola complex up higher on the breast; this can also be accomplished through new nipple reconstruction.
The level of surgical involvement, and length of the operation, depends on the amount of skin removed, with or without a breast reduction, and whether breast implants will be inserted. The more in-depth the surgery, the longer it will take, and likewise, the longer the recovery time will be.
Strattice
To assist in breast rejuvenation, the reconstructive tissue matrix, Strattice, may be used to:
• preserve the new shape of the breast
• redefine the breasts borders
• keep the breast in its new, desired location
Made from porcine dermis, Strattice is inserted under the skin, above the breast tissue, and will act as an ‘internal bra’. Strattice is essentially an internal tissue sling, holding the implant in place and keeping the implant from stretching the skin. Strattice is an excellent choice for preserving breast tissue; the results are long lasting and consistently dependable.