San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/30/2009 -- Breast implants are often the first thing people think of when they hear the words “breast surgery.” However, breast lift and breast reduction surgeries are also very common plastic surgery procedures for the breasts. Dr. Usha Rajagopal, female Board Certified Plastic Surgeon of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, specializes in cosmetic surgery of the breasts, which includes breast reduction and breast lift surgeries. These two surgeries can be performed simultaneously for patients who are seeking a smaller chest and less breast sagging.

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts. Although no surgical procedure can permanently delay the effects of aging and gravity, breast lift results are long lasting. Breast lift surgery can be done in conjunction with breast implants to increase breast size and firmness, if desired. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts since the results may not last as long in patients with very large, heavy breasts. According to Dr. Rajagopal, mastopexy usually does not interfere with breast-feeding, but women who plan on having more children in the future should postpone having a breast lift until after they are done having children. Pregnancy is likely to stretch the breasts again and counteract the breast lift results.

For women who want smaller breasts, breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammaplasty, can make breasts more proportional to the rest of the body. This surgery involves removing excess breast tissue and skin. If necessary, the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) can also be reduced and/or repositioned. Although breast reduction can be performed at any age, Dr. Rajagopal usually recommends waiting until breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may affect the size and shape of the breasts.

If you have any of the following conditions, you might be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery:

• back, neck, or shoulder pain caused by the weight of the breasts
• heavy, sagging breasts with very low nipples and areolas
• breasts that are too large in proportion to the body frame
• skin irritation beneath the breasts
• indentations in your shoulders caused by tight bra straps
• restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
• feelings of self-consciousness about the large size of your breasts
• one breast that is much larger than the other

For both breast lift and reduction surgeries, a three-part, anchor shaped incision is commonly used. One part of the incision is made around the areola and another goes vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. The third part of the incision is a horizontal incision underneath the breast in the crease. It is sometimes possible for fewer incisions to be made, depending on the patient and how much excess skin and breast tissue needs to be removed.

Pain from both procedures can normally be managed with prescribed medications. An elastic bandage or surgical bra will need to be worn for a few days after surgery in both cases. Stitches are removed in one to two weeks.

About San Francisco Plastic Surgery Center
Dr. Usha Rajagopal, is a board certified plastic surgeon based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rajagopal has over 14 years of experience, and is one of the best plastic surgeons in the country.

To learn more about cosmetic breast surgeries, including breast lift and breast reduction surgeries, visit Dr. Usha Rajagopal’s website at http://www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com/. To set up a free consultation, call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, the office of Dr. Rajagopal, at 415-392-3333. The San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center is located in downtown San Francisco at 490 Post Street, Suite 430, just one block from Union Square.