Procedures for the Breasts
Dr. Ramiro Morales has an uncanny talent for performing breast procedures that are perfectly tailored to each patient’s unique proportions. His exceptional skill and his reputation for producing consistently beautiful results have earned him the respect of his colleagues and patients, alike. Dr. Morales performs a variety of breast procedures, all at a comfortable, accredited medical facility at Memorial Hospital West.
Breast Augmentation
There are numerous reasons why women decide to undergo breast augmentation, reasons as varied as the women themselves. Some women may feel that their breasts are smaller than they would like, wishing to enhance their curves with breast implants. Others want to restore the appearance of their breasts after pregnancy or weight loss. Still others desire to have more symmetrical breasts. Dr. Ramiro Morales understands the life-changing potential of breast augmentation and provides his patients with the information they need to make confident, educated decisions about their treatment.
Patient Assessment
Dr. Morales appreciates the fact that every woman has her own unique body type as well as her own reasons for electing to augment her breasts. To ensure that each patient receives the size and type of implant that is suitable to her, Dr. Morales conducts a comprehensive evaluation during a patient’s initial complimentary consultation. During this evaluation, he takes into account not only the patient's anatomy, but also what she hopes to gain through surgery.
Implants
Dr. Morales offers both saline and silicone implants. Silicone implants are FDA approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years of age or older, and saline implants are FDA approved for women aged 18 or older. During the initial consultation, Dr. Morales discusses both options, addressing any questions his patient may have before recommending the type of implant he feels best suits her individual needs.
Incisions
The location of the incision is a careful decision that patient and doctor make together during the consultation. Based upon the individual patient's anatomy and personal goals, Dr. Morales will recommend one of two possible incision locations:
Procedure
The entire breast augmentation procedure typically takes from one to two hours. During the surgery, Dr. Morales makes an incision through which a pocket is created beneath the breast muscle or below the glandular tissue. Then he inserts the implant into the pocket. The locations of both incision and pocket are decided on by Dr. Morales and his patient during the patient assessment consultation. Once both implants have been carefully positioned, the incisions are closed, and a gauze bandage is wrapped around the breasts.
Recovery
Dr. Morales provides patients with a set of instructions they should follow after their breast augmentation surgery. Most patients are able to engage in mild activity within 24 to 48 hours and are usually able to return to work within a week. Post-operative soreness and discomfort are normal and can be managed with medication prescribed by Dr. Morales. Swelling is also normal and will subside in three to five weeks. Because the breasts may be sensitive for three to four weeks after surgery, patients are advised to avoid activities that may involve contact with tender areas. It is important to wear the surgical bra received during the preoperative consultation for four to eight weeks after the surgery.
Learn More about Breast Augmentation
Patients interested in natural-looking results with breast augmentation are encouraged to contact the plastic surgery practice of Dr. Ramiro Morales.
Breast Lift
Often combined with breast augmentation, breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a procedure that corrects the gradual sagging of the breasts and enlargement of the nipples that may occur after pregnancy, breast feeding, or significant weight loss, or due to the effects of gravity and time. Women who have lost a considerable amount of breast volume may opt to have breast augmentation performed during their breast lift in order to give the breasts a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Patient Assessment
During the initial consultation, Dr. Morales asks his patients what they hope to achieve by undergoing breast lift surgery, including the size and shape they desire for their breasts. He then performs an examination of the breasts, noting their shape, size, and skin quality and the placement of the areola. After the examination, Dr. Morales can determine what type of lift, or combination lift and augmentation, is best for a patient's particular anatomy. During the consultation, Dr. Morales also explains what his patient can expect from breast lift surgery.
During the consultation, patients are encouraged to ask questions regarding all aspects of the breast lift procedure. If a patient is interested in breast augmentation as well as a breast lift, she and Dr. Morales can also discuss implant options.
Procedure
During the procedure, Dr. Morales will make an incision that allows him to remove excess skin and move the nipple and areola to a higher position. The location of the incision depends on a variety of factors. During the patient assessment, Dr. Morales will determine the right type of incision for his patient. The incision location is based on a patient's anatomy and the results she wants to achieve.
In most cases, an anchor-shaped incision is made around the nipple, down the curve of the breast, and beneath the breast. For patients with smaller breasts, the doctor may recommend a "doughnut" incision. This type of incision involves circular incisions that allow for the removal of a doughnut-shaped area of skin around the areola. After the nipple has been lifted to a position suitable for the patient and excess tissue has been removed, an implant may be inserted if selected during the consultation. Dr. Morales completes the surgery by closing the incisions and bandaging the area.
Recovery
To help ensure a swift recovery, Dr. Morales gives each patient a set of instructions to follow during the healing process. It is normal to experience soreness and swelling in the weeks that follow. Dr. Morales can prescribe medication to manage any discomfort. Though many patients are up and about within 24 to 48 hours and most are able to return to work within a week, patients should not attempt to lift anything above their heads for at least three weeks. For the next three to four weeks, patients should avoid physical contact with the sensitive areas. Patients should wear the surgical bra given to them during the preoperative consultation for four to eight weeks after surgery.
Learn More about Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift, with or without implants, can make a huge difference in the way a woman feels about her body. Women interested in learning more about breast lift surgery can contact our skilled and caring staff.
Breast Reduction
For some women, having larger breasts may cause them to experience back pain, neck pain, and even breathing problems. Some women also experience emotional distress. They may feel self-conscious about having breasts that they feel are disproportionate to their frame. Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, aims to alleviate these problems by reducing and reshaping the breasts to better fit the patient's physique.
Patient Assessment
Women who are troubled by issues associated with having large, heavy breasts may be good candidates for breast reduction. Usually, however, breast reduction is not performed on women whose breasts are not fully developed. Those who intend to breastfeed are also discouraged from undergoing breast reduction surgery as the surgery may interfere with a woman's ability to lactate. Dr. Morales completes a comprehensive evaluation and medical examination for every patient before agreeing to perform a breast reduction procedure.
Procedure
The breast reduction procedure is similar to a breast lift in that, in most cases, an anchor-shaped incision is made around the nipple, down the curve of the breast, and beneath the breast. This incision allows Dr. Morales to remove skin and breast tissue and skillfully reshape the breast. Incision locations are determined during the patient assessment according to an individual's anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic concerns. Once he finishes shaping the breast, Dr. Morales closes the incisions and bandages the area.
Recovery
It is important to carefully follow the post-surgery guidelines provided by Dr. Morales. During the preoperative consultation, Dr. Morales gives patients a surgical bra which they should then bring the day of surgery. After surgery, this bra should be worn around the clock for four to eight weeks. Many patients are able to participate in light activity within 24 to 48 hours of surgery but should avoid strenuous activities for three to four weeks. Activities to avoid include lifting or pushing heavy objects.
It is normal to experience pain in the first few days after surgery. Dr. Morales can prescribe medication to ease discomfort. Patients may also experience numbness of the breast skin and nipples. This is caused by the swelling that normally occurs after surgery. This numbness should subside over the next few weeks; however, it may take a year or more for normal sensation to return completely. Although it is typical for scars to temporarily worsen during the healing process, they will fade with time.
Learn More about Breast Reduction
Women who wish to learn more about how breast reduction surgery can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort they are experiencing due to their large, heavy breasts can schedule a free consultation with our premier plastic surgeon, Dr. Ramiro Morales.
Breast Implant Revision
Dr. Ramiro Morales performs breast implant revision surgery for patients who wish to modify the results of a previous augmentation. The need to replace a deflated implant is a common reason for a woman to seek breast implant revision. Women who have already undergone augmentation but wish to make their breasts smaller or larger are also candidates for the procedure. Other women may be unhappy with the look and feel of a previous augmentation performed by another surgeon. Patients in any of these situations can trust Dr. Morales to achieve beautiful results through breast implant revision.
Breast Reconstruction
For patients who have suffered the loss of one or both breasts due to breast cancer or another disease, Dr. Ramiro Morales offers natural-looking breast reconstruction. Often requiring more than one procedure to achieve optimal results, breast reconstruction surgery can be a complicated process, requiring the talents of a superior plastic surgeon.
The type of breast reconstruction surgery performed depends entirely on the patient, her physical anatomy, and her personal goals for surgery. In some cases, surgery involves inserting an expander balloon beneath muscle and skin to create room for either a saline or silicone implant. In other cases, a method called flap reconstruction may be better suited. During flap reconstruction, tissue is relocated from an area of the patient's body – either the abdomen, back, or buttocks – to the chest. While Dr. Morales does not perform this method of breast reconstruction, he can refer patients to a surgeon skilled in flap reconstruction if it best suits a patient's individual needs.
Cosmetic Nipple Surgery
Women who are unhappy with the appearance of their nipples and areolas may wish to consider cosmetic nipple surgery. Candidates for cosmetic nipple surgery include women whose nipples have enlarged due to breast feeding or age, as well as women who have inverted nipples due to a congenital condition. Dr. Ramiro Morales can give nipples a natural, rejuvenated appearance through skillful resizing and reshaping. This may involve removal of some of the nipple tissue, making the nipple smaller and more pert. For those who prefer a larger nipple, a tissue graft from another part of the body may be used.
Reconstructive Nipple Surgery
After breast reconstruction, many patients choose to undergo nipple reconstruction as well, in order to make their newly reconstructed breast appear more natural. A nipple and areola may be constructed from the patient's own tissue or tattooed onto the breast mound. A patient's options for nipple reconstruction depend entirely on the patient's unique needs and aesthetic concerns.
Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction is a procedure designed to help men with gynecomastia, a condition in which excess glandular tissue or fat causes the breast area to appear more effeminate than may be desired. Gynecomastia affects 40 to 60 percent of men and can cause some of them to feel self-conscious about their appearance. During the patient assessment, Dr. Ramiro Morales performs a thorough examination to determine the cause of gynecomastia, whether it is excess glandular tissue, fatty deposits, or a combination of the two. Taking into consideration the cause of the condition and the patient's anatomy, Dr. Morales outlines a surgical procedure to meet each man's specific needs.
Contact Dr. Ramiro Morales
Patients interested in any of the procedures described on this page can contact the plastic surgery practice of Dr. Ramiro Morales to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.
Ramiro Morales, M.D.
12600 Pembroke Road, Suite 306
Miramar, FL 33027
Ph: (954) 450-6594
Toll Free: (855) 356-3956
Hablamos Espanol
(305) 388-5445