Typically when one thinks of breast surgery, they automatically think it is for the purpose of enlarging the breasts. While this is one common reason women have breast surgery, it is not the only reason. There are different types of breast surgery that are performed that are actually medically necessary for the patient's health.

Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death to women in the United States today. When breast cancer is discovered and it cannot be destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation, the only other option is to have breast surgery. The advancement of the cancer determines how severe the surgery must be.

Sometimes, a partial mastectomy can be done in which only the cancerous lump or part of the breast is removed. However, if the cancer has advanced so that it is in a large area of the breast, a total mastectomy or complete removal of the breast may be necessary.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

If a patient has had a partial mastectomy, the breast may now be very deformed. Often, reconstructive surgery is done to help rebuild the breast to a more natural appearance and balance the size.

This is often done by a process known as harvesting. In this procedure, fat cells are removed from other areas of the body, such as the hip or thigh, and then placed in the breast area to give it a more natural look and feel.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Women who have extremely large breasts may develop health issues later in life. Often, especially if the woman are small in stature, large breasts may become difficult for their bodies to carry comfortably as they age. This can lead to chronic back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and even headaches. Ulcers can also develop on the tops of shoulders where bra straps cut into them as their large breasts have begun to sag.

Breast reduction surgery is a medical option that can relieve all of these painful conditions. The weight of the patient helps determine how much of the breast tissue is removed to help ease the pain.

Breast Implant Removal

Breast implants are designed to enlarge the breasts and give a woman a boost in confidence. While most modern breast implant surgeries are successful, there are times when health problems arise. The implants may begin to leak, scar tissue may develop, and the nipple sensations may change. When these issues occur, it can result in pain or illness.

The only way to resolve these problems is to have the implants surgically removed. Some patients opt to have the implants replaced by new ones, but some choose to be content with the size of their natural breasts instead.

Health problems can occur with the breasts just like any other part in the body. Sometimes surgery is the only way to correct these issues and prevent the patient from becoming more seriously ill. There are just as many medically necessary breast surgeries performed today as those that are for only cosmetic purposes. Contact a professional, like Dinu Mistry, MD, for more information.