Breast Enhancement at the McLean Clinic

• Breast Enlargement (augmentation mammaplasty)
• Breast Lift (mastopexy)
• Breast Reduction (reduction mammaplasty)
• Male Breast Reduction (gynecomastia treatment)
• FTM Top Surgery (chest masculinization)

Breast Enlargement

Augmentation mammaplasty is one of our most common procedures. The aim of this procedure is to enlarge breasts for those who feel they are too small or to fill out empty breasts (such as after weight loss). Sometimes the procedure may also help to even asymmetrical breasts.

Dr. McLean favors form stable anatomic implants from the Natrelle series for the majority of augmentations. However, round silicone implants and saline implants are also used. The choice depends largely on patient preferences and aims. Dr. McLean listens to you carefully in helping you determine implant type and size, incision location, and whether the implant should be placed under the breast or under the muscle beneath it.

Breast augmentation is often extremely gratifying to our clients and therefore also to us!

Breast Lift

Mastopexy is a procedure to lift the sagging breasts. Therefore, it is most commonly performed following pregnancy, breast feeding and weight loss. Mild sagging can sometimes be relieved by an implant without lifting. If the sagging breast is also empty, it may require an augmentation as well as a lift.

The most common procedure for mastopexy is the vertical lift, resulting in a lollipop scar that extends vertically from the fold under the breast and around the areola. Think of a lift as similar to putting a floppy, spread out pillow into a tighter pillow case: you get a firmer pillow. In a mastopexy the skin is the pillow case, and removing part of it tightens and firms the breast. Mastopexy can also afford the opportunity to equalize uneven breasts. A “Mommy Makeover” combines a tummy tuck with mastopexy.

Breast Reduction

Reduction and lift are similar procedures. In fact, a reduced breast is also lifted. The difference is that breast reduction involves the removal of significant quantities of breast tissue as well as skin. Reduction may have the benefit of relieving weight from the back, neck and shoulders, and improving associated pain.

McLean Clinic Breast Reductions are usually done using the vertical technique, leaving “lollipop” scars, as in the vertical lift. “Anchor” scars, which have a component lying in the fold beneath the breast, are usually reserved for the most severe cases. Breast reduction usually involves shaping the breast and chest with liposuction.

Breast reduction is usually very gratifying for patients who have suffered from the burden of breasts that are too large.

Male Breast Reduction

Gynecomastia is a term for male breasts. This condition is very common. It may involve actual breast formation in a man or may be the result of weight gain. In either case it can be treated.

At the McLean Clinic gynecomastia surgery may consist of liposuction alone to remove fat through minimal incisions, or removal of the breast tissue, also with minimal or hidden incisions. Sometimes these are combined. In very severe cases with a lot of excess skin, mastectomy with nipple grafts may be chosen. This leaves significant scarring, but gives the flattest chest.

FTM Top Surgery

Patients with gender issues are often highly motivated to seek appropriate surgical management. Top surgery is intended to masculinize the appearance of a feminine chest. Commonly two procedures are available: a simple “keyhole” or minimal incision mastectomy, and the “double incision” mastectomy with nipple grafting. Most patients are candidates for the latter procedure.

The McLean Clinic has become a major centre for this surgery in Canada, and we have treated patients from almost every province. Perhaps this is because we enjoy these clients so much.

Other Considerations

McLean Clinic breast procedures are performed as day surgery in our surgicentre, usually under general anaesthetic. Initial follow up is within one or two days. Time off work varies by the procedure and type of work but is typically between one and four weeks. Breast surgery is often combined with other procedures; commonly liposuction or tummy tucks, but sometimes with others such as arm lifts or even face lifts.

A Word About Risks

Surgery, like everyday life, involves the taking of risk. In cosmetic surgery, as in everyday life, very serious risks are rare, and more common problems are usually readily taken care of.

The risks of surgery generally include infection, bleeding, healing problems, numbness, fluid collection and adverse scars. Because cosmetic surgery usually involves two sides, there can be asymmetry. Risks of breast augmentation include interference of implants with cancer detection (please note that they do not cause cancer), and capsular contracture, or firmness.