Category: Breast

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

A breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is surgery that enhances the appearance of your breast. It raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity, and heredity.

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.

It is important that you remember that breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.

CLICK HERE for more information and to determine if your plastic surgeon is board certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. CLICK HERE to ascertain which board your surgeon belongs to.

About Dr. Gregory Bland:  Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees. His first was received in 1981, with a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). He attended medical school at the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and received his Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) in 1985 with AOA Honors (a national honor society for medical students).

Dr. Bland completed a full General Surgery Residency at the University of California at San Francisco in 1992, with Board Certification in General Surgery awarded in 1993. After an additional two years training at UCSF, Dr. Bland completed his Plastic Surgery training in 1994. Dr. Bland achieved Board Certification in Plastic Surgery in 1996, with re-certification in 2005 and again in 2016. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The success and safety of your breast reduction procedure highly depends on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

  • Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
  • Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
  • Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
  • Previous surgeries
  • Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Dr. Bland may also:

  • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
  • Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
  • Take photographs for your medical record
  • Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
  • Discuss likely outcomes of your breast reduction procedure and any risks or potential complications
  • Discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure for breast reduction

Upon waking up after surgery, patients can expect to feel tired, groggy, nauseous, and sore. Some of these symptoms are related to the anesthesia and others related to the actual surgery itself. Other side effects include discomfort, redness, bruising, reduced nipple sensitivity, and swelling. You can expect the breasts to be very tender and sore, especially for the first few days. Dr. Bland will most likely prescribe pain medication to help with this. It is normal to have dull pain continuing for several weeks after surgery.

In most cases, a compression garment or surgical gauze will already be placed over the breasts before you wake up. You will probably have sutures and fluid drainage tubes, both of which will be removed in about a week. It is important not to disturb the incisions or sutures during this time.

Sleeping may be difficult following your surgery. Many patients also find it difficult to bathe, as they must wait until the sutures have been removed and cannot lift the arms above the head. Because of this, you may want to arrange for a friend or hairstylist to help you wash your hair for the first few weeks.

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure, and because of this patients should expect some scarring from the incisions, although the size, position and appearance of scars varies from patient to patient. The incisions required, will depend on the amount of tissue being removed among other factors. Over time (and with proper care), these incisions should fade into the surrounding skin.

For the recovery period, you will be given specific instructions for breast reduction recovery that will include:

  • How to care for your breasts following breast reduction surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with Dr. Bland.
  • Dr. Bland will also give you specific directions on when you can resume your exercise schedule from moderate to strenuous.
  • Be sure to ask Dr. Bland specific questions and concerns.

CLICK HERE for more information and to determine if your plastic surgeon is board certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. CLICK HERE to ascertain which board your surgeon belongs to.

About Dr. Gregory Bland:  Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees. His first was received in 1981, with a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). He attended medical school at the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and received his Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) in 1985 with AOA Honors (a national honor society for medical students).

Dr. Bland completed a full General Surgery Residency at the University of California at San Francisco in 1992, with Board Certification in General Surgery awarded in 1993. After an additional two years training at UCSF, Dr. Bland completed his Plastic Surgery training in 1994. Dr. Bland achieved Board Certification in Plastic Surgery in 1996, with re-certification in 2005 and again in 2016. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is the surgical placement of breast implants to increase fullness and improve symmetry of the breasts, or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

Breast augmentation recovery includes a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days. You will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.
Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of Dr. Bland. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following breast augmentation surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Dr. Bland.

Dr. Bland will also discuss what you can expect during your individual recovery period to include:

  • What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
  • Are stitches removed? When?
  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
  • When do I return for follow-up care?
  • What do I do if I experience medical issue when I go home?

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. It’s important that you be careful and follow Dr. Dr. Bland’s instructions to experience the best success of your surgery.

Reminder reminder: It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.

CLICK HERE for more information and to determine if your plastic surgeon is board certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. CLICK HERE to ascertain which board your surgeon belongs to.

About Dr. Gregory Bland:  Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees. His first was received in 1981, with a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). He attended medical school at the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and received his Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) in 1985 with AOA Honors (a national honor society for medical students).

Dr. Bland completed a full General Surgery Residency at the University of California at San Francisco in 1992, with Board Certification in General Surgery awarded in 1993. After an additional two years training at UCSF, Dr. Bland completed his Plastic Surgery training in 1994. Dr. Bland achieved Board Certification in Plastic Surgery in 1996, with re-certification in 2005 and again in 2016. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 

By Megan King

Taking the leap into getting plastic surgery may be a very overwhelming experience. You may find yourself deep in a rabbit hole of eye appealing websites with beautiful models in lieu of actual patients, product brands, non-invasive procedures, invasive procedures, etc. You’re sure to feel exhausted and probably a bit lost!

The first step, and often the most daunting, is to find a surgeon who is board certified. Dr. Gregory Bland, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, recommends you visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons where you’ll be able to select a list of board-certified plastic surgeons by zip code and ones close to your home or office. This search will narrow down your options and allow you to properly navigate through selecting the right surgeon for your cosmetic procedure. Generally, the most difficult, this research is also the most important part of your decision to have plastic surgery.

Why is this so important? Peace of Mind! You want to make sure you are in the hands of the most qualified plastic surgeon. That’s not to say you shouldn’t trust our family practitioner, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, etc. to guide you with recommendations, but you want to make sure you select a plastic surgeon who meets and upholds the rigorous standards and requirements it takes to be qualified to perform plastic surgery.

A board-certified plastic surgeon demonstrates a high level of training and education through their techniques, safety, ethical approach to surgeries being performed, and patient satisfaction. Unfortunately, anybody, no matter what their medical specialty, can wear a white coat and call themselves a cosmetic surgeon. However, they may not be trained to the same standards to perform cosmetic procedures as a board-certified plastic surgeon. A board-certified plastic surgeon (like Dr. Gregory Bland)  is held to a higher level of standards regarding their skills, judgments, ethics, knowledge, and more. A board-certified plastic surgeon is not only competent in performing cosmetic procedures, but also in addressing any complications that may occur during and after the procedure.

CLICK HERE for more information and to determine if your plastic surgeon is board certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. CLICK HERE to ascertain which board your surgeon belongs to.

About Dr. Gregory Bland:  Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees. His first was received in 1981, with a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). He attended medical school at the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and received his Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) in 1985 with AOA Honors (a national honor society for medical students).

Dr. Bland completed a full General Surgery Residency at the University of California at San Francisco in 1992, with Board Certification in General Surgery awarded in 1993. After an additional two years training at UCSF, Dr. Bland completed his Plastic Surgery training in 1994. Dr. Bland achieved Board Certification in Plastic Surgery in 1996, with re-certification in 2005 and again in 2016. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 

Contemplating breast augmentation?  “Bigger isn’t always better,” says Dr. Gregory Bland, a Colorado Springs Cosmetic Surgeon.  With breast augmentation as the most cosmetic surgery procedure in the nation, Dr. Bland believes it’s important to educate patients on what the “perfect breast” proportions should be.  “We spend an extensive amount of time educating potential breast augmentation patients about specific proportions to a natural breast,” said Megan King, Medical Assistant at The Center For Cosmetic Surgery.  “Often times our ladies will come in with one end in mind, a much larger breast.  Dr. Bland believes it’s important to spend time with (during a complimentary and private consultation) discussing options with our clients including the breasts appearance when naked,” she continued.

A board certified Plastic Surgeon in Colorado Springs, Dr. Gregory Bland encourages his patients to do their homework before undergoing any elective surgery.  Learn more about the Perfect Breast, by reading a study by PRSJournal.com.  Are you a good candidate for breast augmentation?  Click here to learn more.

About The Center For Plastic Surgery:  The Center For Plastic Surgery (Dr. Gregory Bland) is Colorado Springs’ premier cosmetic surgery center specializing in the face, breast and body. Dr. Bland holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and a Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Bland completed his Plastic Surgery training in 1994 and achieved Board Certification in Plastic Surgery in 1996, with re-certification in 2005.

Dr. Bland is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

At the Center for Plastic Surgery, we specialize in comprehensive cosmetic surgery and care for women in southern Colorado. Our services include non-invasive, minimally invasive and classic procedures including facial rejuvenation, body contouring, breast augmentation, and eyelid surgery.

Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is the surgical placement of breast implants to increase fullness and improve symmetry of the breasts, or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

At the Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gregory Bland uses saline and silicone gel implants and the recently approved form – stable ‘Gummy Bear’ Silicone implant. When possible, Dr. Bland  prefers placing saline implants partially under the pectoral muscle, as there are several advantages to this. Silicone implants can be placed partially submuscular, subfascial or subglandular depending on ones tissue characteristics.

While there are several possible incisions available, Dr. Bland prefers an incision in the natural crease below the breast (inframammary incision). However, the incision can also be placed in the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple), or in the armpit (Axillary incision). Some discussion has been given on the belly button incision, however, this procedure has never been FDA approved and is not offered at the Center for Plastic Surgery in Colorado Springs.

The procedure is generally performed in the operating room of The Center for Plastic Surgery in about one and a half to tour hours with an IV sedation or General Anesthesia.

Before you decide to undergo breast augmentation, we suggest you do your homework and your research. A good source for information is the American Society For Plastic Surgeons.

The cost of breast augmentation will vary but a personal consultation will present you with options including finance options available with CareCredit.

It is important to remember that breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.  The recovery period for breast augmentation is typically two weeks to resume aerobic type activities.  As with all surgeries, there are risks, although rare, and may include a chance of infection, bleeding and breast asymmetry. Also, hardening of the breast, visible implants, and malpositioning have also been reported.

About the Center for Plastic Surgery: Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees – a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). A prominent Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bland is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.