Atlas of Aesthetic Breast Surgery, 1e

Book Preface

The material presented in this book represents strategies and techniques that I have either learned or developed over the past 15 years of building an aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery practice. In aesthetic breast surgery, there is little room for long learning curves, and each of the procedures included in the book has allowed me to provide consistent aesthetic results with a minimum of complications. However, particularly with aesthetic breast surgery, there are frequently many different ways to achieve the same end, and it is important to recognize and embrace a healthy academic respect for these different approaches. Only then can the surgeon truly identify those variables that have the greatest effect on the fi nal result and then understand how to manipulate those variables to maximal effect.

With this in mind, I have attempted to differentiate between principles and preferences when it comes to performing aesthetic breast surgery. By recognizing this difference, each surgeon will be able to apply his or her own unique artistic fl air to the task at hand and yet respect those variables that are common to all. For instance, a principle that must be respected in breast augmentation is to set and maintain the level of the inframammary fold. Once this is done, any of several different implants can provide an aesthetic result.

But perhaps more important than the fi ne details of each procedure is the basic approach to the task at hand of the operating surgeon. A successful breast surgeon must be, to a greater or lesser degree, a perfectionist. Markings in preparation for surgery must be accurately applied in an unhurried fashion. There must be little bleeding and the operative fi eld must be clean and uncluttered. Breast shape must be evaluated in the upright position. Whenever possible, it is highly advisable to tailor tack to create the optimal result before you cut. There must be no hesitancy to use sizers when needed to enhance the creation of symmetry in implant cases. And there must be a willingness on the part of the surgeon to retighten, resuspend or generally redo any aspect of the procedure as needed, with the ultimate goal being to create the fi nest result possible. Aesthetic breast surgery provides the surgeon the opportunity to artistically sculpt living tissue, and each breast must be approached with this in mind. It is a responsibility that must not be taken lightly as our patients deserve nothing less. It is my hope that the information contained in this book enhances your results and allows you to reach your full potential as an aesthetic breast surgeon.

Dennis C. Hammond M.D.
2008