Pencil Test for Sagging Breasts
November 4th, 2013
What is the pencil test? Plastic surgeons use this test to measure the extent of ptosis of the breast, a medical term to describe droopy or sagging of the breasts. According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 127,000 had breast lift surgery last year and it ranks in the top 5 of requested cosmetic surgery procedures. When a woman is considering having surgery to correct sagging, several factors are taken into consideration. Sagging of a woman’s breasts can occur due to any significant weight change, such as after a pregnancy. True ptosis or sagging refers to nipple position falling below the crease beneath your breast. The “pencil test” is the way to find out if surgery might be indicated. By placing a pencil beneath your breast and if your nipple hangs below the pencil when you sit or stand, then you may need a breast lift. If the nipple is above, increasing the fullness may correct this. For more information, see Breast Augmentation and Lipo Fat Grafting for Natural Breast Enlargement.
Breast lift surgery repositions the nipple and areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) upwards to a more natural position. This natural position is about ½-3/4 of an inch above the crease under the breast. Careful positioning is important. Positioning them higher than this may result in an odd breast appearance. The size of the areola can also be reduced during surgery at the same time, if the patient desires. Breast list surgery is an effective remedy for droopy or sagging breasts and restores a more natural appearance to the breasts.
Scars from a breast lift are the similar to breast reduction surgery and are positioned around the nipple and beneath the breast as well. They are usually covered by most swimming suits. Many women can still breastfeed following breast lift surgery, if they choose to do so. However, it is not uncommon for women to choose to have completed having children before scheduling a breast lift or reduction surgery.
Most of my patients return to work 2 days following surgery with some activity restrictions. Both breast reduction and lift patients report being pleased with the change in their figure after the procedure and are happy with their decision to have surgery.
Image: Victoria Secret Catalog
How to Choose Breast Implant Size
October 22nd, 2013
Augmentation mammaplasty or breast enlargement allows women to surgically increase their breast size. Breast implants are one option available to women for this purpose. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), of the 14.6 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, performed in the United States in 2012, 286,000 women had breast enlargement surgery.
“What size of implant will be used?” This is a very personal choice, within the physical limitations of the patient’s own figure and stature. I strongly believe that breast size is a patient’s decision. Some patients only want a modest increase in size, but some want a more significant increase. Many women simply choose breast restoration following a change in fullness that has diminished after nursing, sometimes as part of a Mommy Makeover.
Wide ranges of implant sizers are provided during an office consultation. The sizers are used to approximate the patient’s range of choice for their new breast size. Breast implants are measured in ml or cubic centimeters and range from 100 ml to over 900ml (one measuring cup equals 238ml or one tablespoon equals 15ml). Size increases in approximately 25ml increments. The visual experience of patients seeing themselves in a mirror with the sizing implants positioned beneath their bra and/or clothing helps in choosing the appropriate implant size.
Patients often bring a spouse or a friend to help them decide. We encourage patients to take their time with this important decision and they often return several times before finally deciding on size. Readers might remember that Melissa blogged that she wore her sizers at home and about for a few days before deciding. That being said, some patients express slight regret about not choosing a larger size implant following recovery. Several patients have decided later to increase their implant size and opt for a second surgery. In my experience, only a few patients choose to decrease the size of implants. At any rate, it is a matter of personal choice.
Not surprisingly, women report that they experience an increase in their self-esteem and satisfaction of body image following breast augmentation surgery. Patients seeking breast restoration following pregnancy appreciate being able to return to their pre-baby figure. Click here to watch Jennifer’s story about choosing breast restoration for herself.
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