SAMBA into the Swimsuit Season

As summer approaches and clothing becomes more revealing, many women begin to ponder the changes their figure has undergone. Many of these flaws can be corrected with dietary changes and exercise programs; however, aesthetic changes of the breasts are difficult to manage in this fashion. The rise in cosmetic surgeries of the breast seems to confirm this observation.

While most women prior to a pregnancy can see improvements in size and breast shape with implant augmentation, the post pregnancy breast presents several challenges. After children, and especially after breast feeding, the breasts can involute and become ptotic. That means smaller and droopy. Unfortunately, most of these breasts are not well treated with an implant alone.

During consultation, I warn patients about the contention that a larger implant placed above the muscle will tend to correct this problem. I think that there is nothing further form the truth. A large implant placed directly beneath the breast tissue will have a visible ripple shortly after surgery. It will also have a great tendency to droop further because of its weight and the overlying poor breast skin quality. Experts in aesthetic breast surgery refer to this predictable outcome as a Snoopy dog deformity. So, a few months later, you have substituted one flaw for another.

Routine aesthetic surgical treatment for ptotic breasts has been mastopexy (breast lift). This skin tailoring process typically involves anchor shaped scars. These scars do tend to do well, and the surgery can lead to remarkable results. But, many women don't like the idea of having these incisions.

For some women who need a breast lift with their augmentation, a technology called a SAMBA is available. The SAMBA, or simultaneous areolar mastopexy and breast augmentation, requires incisions only around the pigmented portion of the breast. Through this around the areola incision, an implant is placed beneath the chest wall muscle in the usual manner. After this however, the technique changes. Using markings placed before surgery, the excess skin caused by the stretching of the breast during pregnancy is removed. The plan is to both lift the breast gland and reduce the size of the areola. A special GORTEX thread is then woven back and forth from the areola to the surrounding breast tissue. This particular material is remarkable for its strength and pliability. As this stitch is tied, the transformation in the contour of the breast is confirmed. The incision is then closed with absorbable stitches placed beneath the edge of the skin. Paper tapes are placed, and the patient is dressed in a bra. Standard postoperative management of the scars is simple taping.

For those women whose pregnancy has left her with smaller drooping breasts, a SAMBA represents a considerable advancement in aesthetic breast surgery. It produces reliable results in appropriate patients with minimal scar burden. It is performed under a sedation type anesthetic as an outpatient, just like a standard breast augmentation.

If you are considering an active intervention to correct those flaws in your figure, consider a consultation at The Plastic Surgery Group. Cutting edge approaches to body contouring surgery is just one of our centers of expertise.