Breast – DC Plastic Surgery Boutique

Breast Implants

Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy with Tissue Expanders/ Breast Implants Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and breast implants is the most common type of reconstruction performed

Breast Revision

After breast reconstruction, some patients find themselves unsatisfied with the result. This can be due to the nature of the initial mastectomy, early complications such

Radiation Effects

coming soon… Radiation Effects Gallery

Nipple-Sparing

A nipple sparing mastectomy is a new approach to the traditional mastectomy that preserves the breast skin envelope and nipple by only removing the internal

Autologous

Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy with Autologous Tissue Autologous breast reconstruction is a type of breast reconstruction that uses tissue from another part of your body

Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure to decrease the size of your breasts. Many women with breasts that are out of proportion to their bodies experience back pain, neck pain, deep grooves in their shoulders from digging bra straps (shoulder grooving), rashes underneath the breasts from sweat (intertrigo), and difficulty finding supportive bras.

Did you know…

that breast reduction is both a reduction in size and a breast lift all in one? This operation includes removal of extra breast tissue and skin, repositioning of the nipples to point forward, and reduction in the size of the nipple-areolar complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for breast reduction?

You may be a candidate for breast reduction if you are unhappy with the size of your breasts compared to your body, or if you are experiencing symptoms from your large breasts like pain and shoulder grooving.

Will my insurance cover my breast reduction?

Insurance companies occasionally cover breast reduction surgery if the surgery is thought to be medically necessary. Every insurance company has a different criteria to determine medical necessity, and insurance coverage can never be guaranteed for this or any procedure. Most insurance companies publish their criteria for breast reduction online. Patients are encouraged to call your insurance company prior to your appointment to ask whether breast reduction is a covered benefit and what criteria need to be met.

Many insurance companies require that a certain volume of breast tissue (by weight) be removed in order for them to cover breast reduction. At your consultation, Dr. Kulkarni will evaluate you and help you figure out whether insurance coverage is likely in your case.

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

You will be instructed to avoid food and drinks on the day of your surgery. Dr. Kulkarni will see you in the pre-operative area and place a series of planning marks on your breasts. You’ll be placed under general anesthesia for the duration of your procedure, meaning you’ll feel and remember nothing regarding the surgery. Breast reduction surgery typically takes between 1.5-4 hours depending on how much breast tissue needs to be removed.

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure used to elevate and reshape the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipples. The size of the nipple-areolar complex can also be reduced during a breast lift if necessary. Breasts sag over time for many reasons including age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or genetics. A breast lift restores a youthful contour and reduces sagging.

Did you know?

A breast lift is completely different than a breast augmentation. Breast lifts are ideal for women who like the size of their breasts in a bra, but don’t like the way their breasts look out of a bra. This operation can also be combined with a breast augmentation to improve shape and increase size at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for a breast lift?

You could be a candidate for a breast lift if your breasts are longer or lower than you desire. Often, mastopexy candidates have breasts that are elongated or pendulous with nipples that point downward toward the ground. You may also be a candidate for a breast lift if your nipples are positioned below the crease of your breasts.

What should I expect during a breast lift procedure?

Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking starting at midnight the night before surgery. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Kulkarni will make a series of surgical planning measurements and marks on your breasts. You will then be brought back to the operating room and placed under anesthesia. During the procedure, Dr. Kulkarni will make the incisions and reshape the underlying tissues to create a more youthful shape and appearance. Your nipples will also be readjusted and resized, and excess skin removed before closing the incisions. You may or may not need drains after the surgery, which typically stay in for about a week.

Will I need to follow any special post-operative instructions?

The first night after surgery is always the hardest in terms of pain. You should take the prescribed medications to keep yourself comfortable after surgery. Each day will feel a little better. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions for activity. Recovery after breast lift is about 1 week, after which you can return to non-strenuous work. If you have drains, they will be removed about 1 week after surgery.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size of your breasts. Breast augmentation is typically done using FDA-approved silicone or saline-filled implants placed above or below the chest muscles. Breast augmentation is used to enhance size, improve symmetry, or restore volume following weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Did you know…

that the popularity of breast augmentation is at an all-time high? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is 45 percent more common than it was in 2000. In 2017, more than 300,000 augmentations were performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. The majority of breast augmentation patients are between the ages of 17 and 55.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for breast augmentation?

You may be a candidate for breast augmentation if you are increasing the size, changing the shape, or improving the symmetry of your breasts. The FDA limits silicone breast implant use to women older than age 22, but saline implants can be used in any woman above age 18.

What should I expect during a breast augmentation consultation?

At your initial consultation, we will discuss your needs and desires regarding breast augmentation. Dr. Kulkarni will review your medical history and fitness for surgery, as well as your goals for this procedure. We will do your first sizing with our in-office implant sizing system which allows you to try on different implants and see how they look on your body. We will also discuss the surgery in detail, including pre-op requirements, what happens during surgery, and your expected post-operative recovery.

You will typically have a second visit with Dr. Kulkarni 2 weeks prior to surgery where we will finalize your implant sizing, order your implants, give you prescriptions to fill ahead of time, and review any last minute questions. You will be encouraged to bring some of your own clothes to this visit so you can see how the implant sizers look in your own clothes.

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

You will be instructed to avoid food and drinks on the day of your surgery. Dr. Kulkarni will see you in the pre-operative area and place a series of planning marks on your breasts. You’ll be placed under general anesthesia for the duration of your procedure, meaning you’ll feel and remember nothing regarding the surgery. Depending on the type of implant you receive, Dr. Kulkarni will make a small incision beneath the breast or under the nipple. The implant will be secured in place and your incision sutured shut. Most breast augmentations take no more than 90 minutes and are usually performed on an outpatient basis.

What should I expect after surgery?

You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery. Your breasts will be wrapped in a snug bra and possibly an ACE wrap to reduce swelling. It is normal to experience chest tightness immediately after surgery. You should take the prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxants as needed.

You will be given detailed post-operative instructions regarding recovery and post-op activities. Most breast augmentation patients feel pretty good a day or 2 after surgery, and most patients return to non-strenuous work within a few days.

Breast Implants

Breast Revision

Radiation Effects

Nipple-Sparing

Autologous

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for breast reduction?

Will my insurance cover my breast reduction?

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for a breast lift?

What should I expect during a breast lift procedure?

Will I need to follow any special post-operative instructions?

Did you know…

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for breast augmentation?

What should I expect during a breast augmentation consultation?

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

What should I expect after surgery?

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