Breast surgery has evolved significantly over the last few decades, offering patients a wide range of options for medical, cosmetic, and preventive reasons.
Whether you’re considering breast procedures after a cancer diagnosis, looking into cosmetic breast surgery, or exploring preventive options due to family history, understanding your choices is crucial to making informed decisions.
At Dr. Turton’s breast surgery clinic in Leeds, patients benefit from expert care backed by decades of surgical experience and a deeply personalised approach to treatment. Here’s a closer look at the main types of breast surgery available today.
Types of Breast Cancer Surgery
The most common reason women undergo breast surgery is to treat breast cancer.
Surgical treatment options depend on the stage of the disease, tumour size, location, and personal preferences.
1. Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery)
A lumpectomy involves removing the cancerous tissue and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue while preserving most of the breast. It’s often followed by radiation therapy to minimise recurrence. Many women opt for this procedure when the cancer is detected early and is localised.
2. Mastectomy
A mastectomy involves removing the entire breast and is typically recommended for larger or multiple tumours, or when radiation therapy isn’t an option. There are several variations:
- Simple mastectomy: Entire breast tissue is removed.
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: Preserves most of the breast skin, ideal for immediate reconstruction.
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy: Keeps the nipple and areola intact, offering more natural reconstruction outcomes.
3. Lymph Node Surgery
As part of breast cancer surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection may be performed to assess cancer spread. These procedures help guide further treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Cosmetic Breast Surgery Options
For patients interested in enhancing or modifying the appearance of their breasts, cosmetic breast surgery provides several tailored options.
These procedures are highly individual and designed to help patients feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies.
1. Breast Augmentation
Also commonly referred to as breast enlargement surgery, breast augmentation uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size or restore volume lost due to weight changes or pregnancy. Dr. Turton is renowned for achieving natural, proportionate results tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
2. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift reshapes and raises sagging breasts without necessarily altering their size. It’s ideal for women who have experienced skin laxity due to ageing, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
3. Breast Reduction
This surgery removes excess fat, tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size more in proportion with the body. Women with overly large breasts often seek this procedure to relieve physical discomfort and improve quality of life.
4. Breast Implant Removal
Some patients may decide to remove their implants due to personal preference, implant complications, or lifestyle changes. Dr. Turton offers breast implant removal procedures that prioritise both safety and aesthetics. Depending on individual goals, implant removal can be paired with a breast lift or further reshaping to maintain a pleasing contour.
Preventive Breast Surgery
Women with a high genetic risk of breast cancer—such as those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations—may consider preventive or risk-reducing breast procedures.
1. Prophylactic Mastectomy
This surgery involves removing one or both breasts to drastically reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Many women choose to combine it with immediate reconstruction to maintain body image and confidence.
2. Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Following cancer-related or preventive surgery, many patients opt for breast reconstruction using implants or autologous tissue (from another part of the body). This can be done at the same time as mastectomy or at a later stage, depending on medical and personal considerations.
What to Consider Before Choosing Breast Surgery
When deciding on any form of breast surgery, it’s important to consider:
- Medical necessity (e.g., cancer diagnosis, genetic risk)
- Desired cosmetic outcome
- Recovery time and potential complications
- Whether reconstruction is desired, and when
A consultation with a specialist like Dr. Turton ensures all factors are considered, and patients receive tailored advice supported by years of surgical expertise.
Combining Function and Aesthetics in Modern Breast Surgery
Today’s breast procedures often blend medical precision with aesthetic sensitivity. For example, nipple-sparing mastectomies paired with immediate reconstruction not only treat disease but also help maintain a woman’s body image.
Similarly, women undergoing cosmetic breast enlargement surgery benefit from techniques originally developed for reconstructive purposes, ensuring safer and more natural-looking outcomes.
At Dr. Turton’s clinic in Leeds, patients can expect a collaborative approach, where safety, aesthetics, and emotional wellbeing are all equally valued.
Book a consultation today with Dr. Turton
Whether your journey with breast surgery begins for medical, cosmetic, or preventive reasons, having access to expert surgical care makes all the difference.
At every stage, Dr. Turton’s clinic offers compassionate guidance and world-class techniques to help you feel informed, confident, and supported.
If you’re considering breast cancer surgery, cosmetic breast surgery, or preventive options, book a consultation with Dr. Turton to explore the best solution for your needs.
