Breast surgery in Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece

Low volume is corrected with augmentation, sagging with a lift, heavy and painful breasts with a reduction, and problems from a previous operation with revision. Two procedures are often combined, such as a lift with an implant. The final recommendation is made after I have examined you.

Breast augmentation

For breasts that never developed fully, for asymmetry, or for volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss. It is done with implants and, in selected cases, with the Preservé technique. Read more: Breast augmentation.

Breast lift

For breasts that have dropped, with the nipple close to or below the crease under the breast (the inframammary fold). A lift does not add volume; when volume is needed, it is combined with an implant. Read more: Breast lift.

Breast reduction

For large, heavy breasts that cause back, neck or shoulder pain, skin irritation or difficulty exercising. The breasts become smaller and sit higher. Read more: Breast reduction.

Breast revision surgery

For problems after breast augmentation: capsular contracture, a misplaced or ruptured implant, asymmetry or sagging. It includes removal of silicone implants, with or without replacement, and is planned around the cause of the problem.

Gynaecomastia

For enlarged breasts in men, caused by glandular tissue, fat or both. Depending on the grade, it is corrected with liposuction, with removal of the gland through a small incision at the lower edge of the areola, or with a combination of the two. Read more: Gynaecomastia.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy

To rebuild the breast after mastectomy or preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy, either at the same time or later: with implants or tissue expanders, with tissue from the abdomen (DIEP, TRAM) or the back, with fat transfer, and with nipple reconstruction. The technique is chosen according to your cancer treatment and the quality of your tissues. Read more: Breast reconstruction.

Breast malformations

For tuberous breasts, Poland syndrome, marked asymmetry and inverted nipples. Depending on the malformation, correction combines an implant, fat transfer, a lift or a reduction. Read more: Breast malformations.

Over the years the breasts loosen and drop: they lose volume, the skin stretches and the gland loses its support. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and large changes in breast size bring this on earlier, and in large breasts it becomes more marked with age. Depending on which change dominates, a lift, augmentation or reduction is the answer.

Sagging is a natural process that progresses over the years. In some women it starts earlier, either because of the anatomy of the breast or because of large changes in its size, as in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Often the two breasts have not dropped to the same degree, so there is asymmetry as well.

Sagging comes from three factors that often occur together: loss of volume, especially in the upper part of the breast, which creates pseudoptosis (apparent sagging); loose skin, usually with stretch marks and excess skin; and loss of support for the breast gland. A breast lift therefore aims to restore the lost volume, reduce the excess skin and give the breast gland better support.

Breasts can also grow excessively, in adolescence, with weight gain or with hormonal changes such as the menopause. Because of their weight, they usually sag markedly as well: the upper part empties, the nipple drops, the areola widens and the lower part becomes too heavy. This picture usually becomes more pronounced with age.

Augmentation, lift, reduction, revision and gynaecomastia surgery are day-case operations: you go home the same day, accompanied by someone. Reconstruction after mastectomy needs a hospital stay. The table shows how long each operation takes and when you can return to work and exercise; your own timings are confirmed at the consultation.

Procedure	Anaesthesia	Duration	Back to work	Exercise
Augmentation	General, or local with Preservé	Up to 40 minutes	5 days	6 weeks
Lift	General	1.5 hours; up to 2.5 hours with an implant	5 days	4–6 weeks
Reduction	General	2.5–3 hours	1 week	1 month
Revision	General	1–3 hours	5 days	4–6 weeks or longer
Gynaecomastia	General	About 1 hour	5 days	6 weeks
Reconstruction	General	Depends on the method	About 2–4 weeks with an implant; 6–8 with a flap	About 6 weeks with an implant; 8–12 with a flap

Yes, with fat transfer from your own body, often called natural breast augmentation. The increase is usually moderate, part of the transferred fat is reabsorbed and a second session may be needed. Today I recommend it only in a small number of selected cases. There is more on this on the breast augmentation page.