Breast Uplift with Implants
With age, the drooping of the breasts is virtually inevitable with both time and gravity being a significant contributor as well as motherhood and nursing. Pregnancy plays a large role in the drooping of the breasts as the engorgement due to the production of milk causes the breasts to expand. When milk is no longer being produced, the breasts sink down due to the stretched skin that is unable to support the now smaller breasts. Individuals who have also experienced rapid weight gain or weight loss are also subject to drooping of the breasts.
Mastopexy and Breast Augmentation
It is common for women who opt to receive the mastopexy procedure to also receive breast augmentation. This process is called augmentation mastopexy and is typically and most successfully performed in women with small breasts as larger breasts are more likely to sag again over time due their heavier weight. It is also best for a patient to wait to have the surgery performed until after she has finished having children and nursing as repeat pregnancies can cause the drooping of the breasts to reoccur due to continued production of milk. Also, the mastopexy procedure has, in some cases, led to an inability to continue successfully nursing.
During an augmentation mastopexy, the breast is lifted and tightened in order to recreate its original shape and firmness while at the same time introducing silicone cohesive gel breast implants as well. The implant is inserted above the chest wall muscles but below the natural breast tissue. There are, however, exceptions to this. Occasionally, it is necessary to place the implant under as opposed to above the muscles of the chest wall if the patient’s skin is especially thin. The breast is then formed around the implant with surplus skin being removed. This tightens the breast, leaving it firmer and giving it a more youthful shape.
The Type Of Implant
The type of implant which is used for the procedure is the silicone cohesive gel implant which can either have a polyurethane covering or can be without it. Unlike other types of implants, silicone cohesive gel implants carry a very low risk of capsular contracture which is an immune response that the body has to the foreign materials within the implant. This response is caused by the contraction of fibrous capsules of scar tissue in and around the breast. Side effects of capsular contracture are hardening of the breast which can be quite painful and can lead to deformity of the breast. Silicone cohesive gel is also less likely to leak fluid or to tear. The implants are guaranteed for life against the failure of the implant.
An inevitable side effect the augmentation mastopexy procedure is scarring. The size and shape of the scar varies but usually consists of a fine vertical line beneath the nipple and areola area. Although they are usually quite thin scars, it is important to understand that they will not be invisible. Like all scars, they will be the most visible immediately following the surgery but with the application of lotions and oils, they should fade over time, usually within 6 to 12 months. Directly following the surgery, it is also possible that the breast will appear to be slightly square in shape with a feeling of uncomfortable tightness underneath the breast. This appearance and feeling are temporary and are deliberate because over time, the breast will again begin to sag, a fact which the surgery takes into account.
Although possible with any form of surgery, cases of bleeding and infection are uncommon after an augmentation mastopexy. Heavy bleeding caused by the rupturing of blood vessels during the procedure is very rare but if it occurs, immediate treatment is required which is typically performed under anesthesia. In addition, if infection does occur, this will increase the period of recuperation and may also lead to more visible scarring of the tissue. Fortunately, both of these sides effects are rarely seen.
Due to the use of general anesthesia, it is possibly but unlikely that chest problems will arise after the surgery. This occurrence is more common in patients who are smokers. Therefore, it is important that a patient quit smoking as far in advance of the procedure as possible. And, as is the case in all surgeries, a small risk of thrombosis exists particularly in women who are taking contraceptives. For this reason, contraceptives should be replaced with other means of birth control at least six weeks before the augmentation mastopexy.
Why Carry Out the Procedure in Two Steps
It is important to note that this procedure is a complicated one since it is necessary to maintain blood supply at all times to the nipple and areola area. This can be made more complicated by the fact that the breast is subjected to incisions both from underneath where the implant is to be placed as well as from the outlying regions in order for the nipple areola complex to be relocated to the center of the re-shaped breast. In order to avoid complications, surgeons will often encourage a patient to opt to carry out the procedure in two steps with the mastopexy or “lift” occurring in the first stage and the implant being inserted in the second. If, however, it is decided that both of the procedures will be carried out concurrently, it may be necessary for another procedure to be conducted with the next few months. In this surgery, the skin would need to be, once again, tightened over the implant. This would, consequently, lead to additional charge.
The surgery is typically conducted under general anesthesia and requires an overnight stay in the hospital following the procedure. Following the surgery, surgeons may place tubes within the breasts after the surgery for a short period of time in order to drain blood that has collected. It is recommended that the breasts remain tightly bound until the stitches are removed. Rigorous exercise is discouraged for a month following the procedure with patients typically being permitted to return to work after the stitches are removed, approximately 2 weeks after the surgery.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
Contact Form
Patient Finance
