March 16th, 2012
Q: Can a breast lift and breast augmentation be done with the same incision?
A: There are many types of breast lift options depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. If you have large amounts of saggy skin and nipples are displaced you may be a candidate for a full mastopexy. If you like the size of your breasts and just need them to be repositioned, you may not need to add an implant. Adding an implant at the time of a full mastopexy can be accomplished in a patient that would like a lift and an increase in volume. Full mastopexy incisions typically involve incisions made in the natural crease of the breast, around the areola and a vertical line that connect the nipple and crease incision. A breast implant can be placed at the time of a lift with no additional incisions other than the ones being made for the full lift already. If a patient seeks a subtle nipple lift they may be a candidate for a concentric mastopexy. A concentric mastopexy is not able to remove as much skin because the incisions are made only around the areola.
If a patient desires an augmentation or a breast implant exchange in conjunction with a concentric mastopexy it can be addressed with the same incision. There are even more limited and rare breast lift techniques that may not allow for an implant to be placed using the same incision, but most often it can be accomplished. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for recommendations based on your individual anatomy.
Click here to view Dr. Alexander’s breast lift before and after photo gallery!
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November 18th, 2011
Many women come see Las Vegas Board Certified Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander for his experience opinion on how to enhance their breasts. There are some women who walk a fine line between a breast augmentation, lift, or both. That line can be as fine as a pencil. Check below on how to can take the pencil test at home to help you determine what procedure to research.
The Pencil Test
Place a pencil under the breast (under-fold), also known as the inframammary fold, and if your breasts hold the pencil, then you have sagging. Cosmetic surgeons determine the degree of Ptosis according to the position of the nipple relative to that of the inframammary fold. The degree of sagging determins the grade of ptosis.
Glandular – The nipples are above the inframammary fold (nipples above the pencil)
Grade I – The nipple is at the level of the inframammary fold (nipples equal with the pencil)
Grade II – Nipples have dropped below the level of the breast crease, but still higher than the majority of the breast mound (nipples below the pencil, but still much breast below the nipples)
Grade III – Nipples have dropped below the crease and at the level of maximum breast projection (nipples and most breast tissue weighing heavily below the pencil)
Grade IV – Severe sagging, nipples have dropped below the fold, below the mount, and are either pointing toward the floor or even bending back toward the chest wall and non-visible without moving them. (at this point, forget the pencil, you need a lift!)
Exact candidacy can be determined by Dr. Alexander at his Summerlin practice during a consultation. However, patients with glandular to grade one ptosis typically benefit with the placement of just an implant which helps fill out the breast. Most patients with ptosis grades II-IV benefit with a full mastopexy procedure. This will help lift the nipples and tissue higher on the chest for a more proportionate and balanced chest mound.
Click here to see our breast lift before and after photos!
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August 19th, 2011
Constricted breast abnormality is a common breast irregularity found in both men and women. While present at birth, the full extent of the tubular breast deformity or constricted breasts are often not appreciated until puberty. During this time the breasts start to mature and the full extent of development starts to appear. Specifically in women, a constricted breast irregularity tends to shorten the distance between the areola and the base of the breast. Some may appear elongated or tubular in shape or the areola may seem overly full. The extent to which the abnormality manifests can vary widely, but many seek the assistance of plastic surgery to enhance their breasts.
For a mild condition, a breast augmentation may be sufficient treatment. Adding a saline or silicone breast implant to the area may help release the tight constriction on the inside. This may result in the nipple to mound relation more proportioned for a more desirable size and shape. Other women with more moderate to severe symptoms may appreciate additional procedures. This may include combining a breast implant with a breast or nipple lift. The lift has the benefit of moving the areola higher on the breast, or reducing the areola size. This helps center the nipple on the mound or keep the nipple to skin ratio balanced for overall aesthetic harmony.
Dr. Alexander is a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in breast surgery. More information on tubular and constricted breasts is available by contacting our office. However, more personalized information is available while at your consultation appointment with Dr. Alexander. He will provide you with his expert opinion and recommendation for the breast enhancement best for your anatomy. Call us today at 702-242-6776 to schedule your consultation appointment at his Las Vegas office!
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July 22nd, 2011
Q: How will breast lift surgery alter my breast size?
A: Breast lift surgery is not a breast reduction surgery. However, due to the removal of the excess skin and tightening the breast, you may see a slight reduction in size. When selecting this procedure you will want to consider your original breast size, and what size breasts would be proportionate to your body. To compensate for the lost breast volume you may consider having a breast implant placed along with your breast lift surgery.
Q: Does a breast lift affect the look of the areola and nipples?
A: It is common for your nipple-areola complex to stretch and get larger when your breasts begin to sag. For this type of patient, it is customary for Las Vegas Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander, to reduce the size of the areola during a breast-lift procedure, making the breast and nipple relation more proportionate and balanced.
Q: What is ptosis and do I have it?
A: Ptosis is a medical term for sagging. There are several different types and
grades of ptosis. There is glandular ptosis, meaning the nipple is above fold and the breast descended below the fold. Then there are three types of ptosis grades. Depending on the position or how low the nipple sits in relation to the breast crease will depend on the grade. We have provided some photos for friendlier understanding.
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April 21st, 2011
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently released some interesting statistics about Americans and breast surgery. According to 
the ASPS, for the last four years the most requested plastic surgery in America has been breast augmentation. In 2010 more than 296,203 women selected to enhance their chest with breast implants. Statistics also show that more than 170,000 women underwent breast reduction and lift surgery.
Breast Augmentation provides women with small or asymmetric breasts with a fuller, firmer, and more proportioned appearance. Patients have a choice to use either FDA approved silicone or saline implants. With a variety of other augmentation options such as incision location, texture, style and position, it is very important that you select an experience board certified plastic surgeon. Patients that are A and B cup sizes prior to surgery appreciate their new body contours being a cup size or two larger post breast implant surgery.
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, there are women born with large natural bosoms. Although the large cup size may be desired by others, the heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward typically are not. Many women who have naturally extra large breasts may complain of back or neck pain, and opt to have the size reduced through breast reduction surgery. In addition to a smaller cup volume, the breast reduction procedure will also tighten the skin and tissue left remaining in the breasts, resulting in a more youthful and attractive shape.
While the typical breast reduction and lift surgery is performed to offer relief from the pain cause by having overly large breasts, breast augmentation surgery provides women with a boost of emotional self confidence, particularly women who have undergone a mastectomy. Dr. Alexander is an expert in breast surgery! At your consultation appointment, he will evaluate your anatomy and make an individualized recommendation as to whether adding or subtracting volume is best for you!
View our breast photo gallery here!
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March 11th, 2011
People often criticize themselves the hardest and when it comes to deciding what cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is best for you, the old saying we are our own worst enemy could not be more true. It is very common to misdiagnose and research a few extra procedures you often do not need. To ditch the confusion and slash hours spent in front of the computer, here are the answers to some of Dr. Alexander’s most common breast questions from his Las Vegas patient’s.
Q: Do I need a breast lift?
A: There are certain factors that qualify a woman to be a breast lift candidate. Breasts will go through changes throughout your lifetime specifically with gravity and as you age, but also if you experience pregnancy, or weight changes. Some breasts will stay firm and perky, but most lose volume and start to sag. The degree to how much your breasts will change is different for each woman. A decrease in volume and slight skin laxity often confuses many women to think they need a lift. For women who have good nipple position, a breast implant often does great in restoring volume and provides an uplifted appearance. If your nipple is pointing down or is below your inframmamory crease, then a breast lift may be the optimal procedure to improve the nipple position and tighten the skin. There are multiple measurements Dr. Alexander will obtain at your consultation appointment to determine what procedure will benefit you the best.
Q: Is breast lift plastic surgery my only option for perking up my sagging breasts?
A: A bra is helpful when you are wearing clothes, but when you are out of clothes, there is currently no way to keep your breasts “magically floating” in that position. Breast lift surgery is an excellent procedure to enhance saggy breasts. There several types of breast lift surgery. An experienced plastic surgeon will be able to assess you and recommend a breast lift technique that is best for your specific anatomy.
Q: Can a breast lift and implant be done at the same time?
A: For the right patient, and in Dr. Alexander’s hands breast lift and breast augmentation can safely be performed at the same time. This cosmetic duo is typically performed on women who would like an enhancement in shape and an increase in cup size. After thousands of breast surgeries, Dr. Alexander has found that the combination of both procedures tends to result in a more perky, youthful and attractive breast.
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