Breast Surgery Procedures in Louisville, Kentucky

The decision to undergo breast surgery of any sort is intensely personal and private. Here at the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery, we want you to know that you can trust us to be patient and understanding during the decision-making process. We know that you will have lots of questions, and we are available to take the time to answer each of them. Whether you opt for a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction, Dr. John Derr, of Louisville, Kentucky, will make sure that you are completely comfortable during every stage of the procedure.

Breast Augmentation

Among the many reasons cited by women wanting to enhance their breasts, some of the most common include: achieving symmetry between two different-sized breasts; regaining size and firmness after pregnancy or substantial weight loss; or simply dissatisfaction with the size of their breasts. Breast augmentation through the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery is a safe and effective method of improving the breasts’ aesthetic appeal and boosting patients’ self-confidence.

A consultation with Dr. Derr is the first step towards breast augmentation. Dr. Derr, of Louisville, Kentucky, will discuss each of your options with you. The location of the incision will be customized to meet your specific needs. It may be located in the armpit, in the crease of the breast, or around the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple). Also, the breast implant may be placed either in front of or behind the muscle tissue, depending on the thickness of the patient’s skin, the size of the implant, and other considerations unique to your circumstances.

Recovery after breast augmentation is fairly easy. Pain, soreness, and swelling are typically most pronounced during the first three days after surgery. Fortunately, you will receive ample medication to control the pain and swelling. The swelling will subside greatly within the first week but will take three to six weeks to completely disappear.

If you think you may be a candidate for breast augmentation, contact Dr. John Derr, of Louisville, Kentucky, at the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery today.

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Breast Lift

Some women would love to rejuvenate the appearance of their breasts but are not interested in breast augmentation. These patients may benefit from a procedure known as breast lift. Louisville plastic surgeon John Derr believes the best candidates for breast lift are women whose breasts are sagging or drooping due to age, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Breast lift is a procedure that involves the removal of excess skin to achieve a tighter, firmer breast. Repositioning of the nipple may be necessary in some cases. To maintain the proper appearance of the breast, breast augmentation is often performed in conjunction with breast lift. Louisville and Kentucky residents who are interested in getting more information about breast lift should contact the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery today.

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Breast Reduction

Large or disproportionate breasts can present several problems. They are physically encumbering and may hinder a woman’s ability to pursue certain hobbies or athletic activities. Chronic neck pain, back pain, and discomfort from ill-fitting bra straps are also common. Aside from the physical manifestations, many women are simply embarrassed or self-conscious about the size of their breasts and therefore feel the need to dress or act differently.

These issues can often be solved with breast reduction at our Louisville, Kentucky practice. Dr. John Derr will work with you to help you decide on your ideal breast size and new location of the nipple and areola. He will also discuss with you anything that may affect the success of the procedure, such as your age, the condition of your skin, or the current size and shape of your breasts. Finally, Dr. Derr will take the time to explain the details of the procedure to you, and answer any questions you might have.

It takes about three hours to complete breast reduction at our Louisville, Kentucky office. Dr. Derr will make an incision around the areola, down the middle of the breast, and along the breast’s natural crease. After removing excess fat and tissue, he will tighten the skin and create the breast’s new shape. The nipple will be moved to a natural-looking position, and the incisions will be closed.

Recovery is similar to that of breast augmentation. Due to the nature of the incision required for a successful breast reduction, there will always be a visible scar running from the bottom of the areola to the crease of the breast. Everyone heals differently, but the best way to aid healing is to follow the doctor’s postoperative care instructions.

After undergoing breast reduction, most women report that they are very happy with their new figure. Many patients are able to participate in activities that were once difficult. What’s more, breast reduction often reduces the stress that comes with being self-conscious.

For more information on the benefits of breast reduction, contact the Louisville, Kentucky office of the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery.

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Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

When a breast is removed due to cancer or another disease, reconstruction is often an important next step. Breast reconstruction has become a common surgery with a relatively low risk factor. To develop a surgical plan that is tailored specifically to your needs, several factors need to be considered ; Dr. Derr will explain all of them to you and recommend the best approach.

Reconstruction Types: Expander/Implant vs. Autogenous

There are two approaches to reconstruction of the breast: expander/implant surgery, which is similar to breast augmentation, and autogenous surgery, which involves the transplantation of the patient’s own body tissue from another part of her body. Dr. John Derr will help you decide which procedure is best for you.

The expander/implant procedure is the most frequently used procedure. The first step is implantation of a “balloon” expander underneath the skin and chest muscle; this is often done at the same time as the mastectomy surgery. Gradually, over a period of weeks or months, the doctor will inflate the expander with saline solution, and the skin will stretch to form a pocket. A breast implant will be inserted in this pocket during a later appointment at our Louisville office. Then another surgery will be scheduled for reconstruction of the nipple and areola.

Autogenous surgery, also called flap reconstruction, is an umbrella term used for a number of techniques that involve removing muscle and fat tissue from another part of the patient’s body and repositioning it on the chest to recreate a breast. Although this procedure results in more discomfort, and leaves scars in two areas of the body, some women prefer it because it can result in a more natural-feeling breast.

Reconstruction Timing: Immediate vs. Delayed

In most cases, women can start the reconstruction process at the same time as the mastectomy surgery; since reconstruction involves several steps, this is often the logical course of action. Of course, this is a decision that should be made long in advance, with both breast surgeon and plastic surgeon working together for the best outcome. The following are some reasons that a woman might want to delay her reconstruction:

• She wants to undergo as little surgery at one time as possible
• She needs to take more time to weigh all her post-mastectomy options
• The surgeon advises waiting because of health issues such as obesity or high blood pressure

If you will be undergoing mastectomy and would like to explore your breast reconstruction options, please do not delay in contacting the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery. He will be able to answer your questions and allay some of your concerns, so you can rest easy and concentrate on healing.

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Gynecomastia Treatment

Though gynecomastia (overdeveloped male breasts) is not a popular topic of conversation, it is a very common condition . It is estimated that 40-60% of men are affected by gynecomastia in either one or both breasts. Fortunately, this condition is easily treated with surgery that is similar to female breast reduction.

Depending on the amount and type of tissue that needs to be removed, Dr. Derr will use a combination of surgery and liposuction to achieve the final result. If the breast enlargement is caused by oversized glandular tissue, the tissue is removed with a scalpel through an incision made around the areola. If the enlargement is primarily made up of fatty tissue, Dr. Derr may only use liposuction.

Risks associated with gynecomastia are minimal, relative to other kinds of surgery. However, as with all invasive procedures, the risks need to be weighed with the benefits. Some men might experience:

• excess skin, which can be removed during the same procedure
• noticeable scars
• permanent pigment changes in the breast area
• slightly mismatched breasts or nipples

Dr. John Derr and his friendly staff are committed to providing each of their patients a wide array of options along with professional medical advice and a willingness to listen to patient concerns and questions. If you are considering undergoing breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift, the Louisville, Kentucky office of Dr. Derr is waiting to help. Contact the Derr Center for Plastic Surgery to make an appointment.

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