--- title: "Breast Surgery" --- Breast surgery at Santa Barbara Face & Body spans the full range of procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, combined lift with augmentation, breast reduction, revision surgery, implant removal, fat transfer to the breast, and gynecomastia (male breast reduction). All are performed by Dr. Alain Polynice, a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses primarily on the breast and body, with an emphasis on proportionate results, safety, and honest guidance about which procedure, if any, suits a patient's goals. ## What breast surgery covers The right procedure depends on your starting point and your goal. - More volume or shape. Augmentation, or fat transfer for a natural, modest increase. - Lifting and reshaping. A lift, alone or combined with an implant, for sagging or deflation. - Less weight and size. Reduction, which is often as much about comfort as appearance. - Fixing or removing. Revision and implant removal, an area of particular focus here. ## The breast procedures Each links to its own page. ProcedureForBreast AugmentationAdding volume or shape with implantsBreast LiftRaising and reshaping sagging breastsLift + AugmentationA lift and implant in one stageBreast ReductionReducing size and easing symptomsBreast RevisionCorrecting a previous resultImplant RemovalRemoving implants, with or without a liftFat TransferA modest increase using your own fatGynecomastiaMale breast reduction ## Which breast procedure, compared A quick comparison of the most common goals. Your goalProcedureNoteMore volumeAugmentationImplants, sized to your frameModest increaseFat transferUses your own fatLift a sagging breastBreast liftRepositions, no implant neededLift and more volumeLift + augmentationCombined in one stageSmaller, lighter breastsReductionOften eases neck and back symptomsA previous result to fixRevisionCapsular contracture, malposition, ruptureImplants outImplant removalWith or without a lift The value is a surgeon who tells you which of these fits, including when the answer is a lift rather than an implant, or removal rather than another revision. ## Concerns the breast procedures address Many people arrive with a concern rather than a specific procedure. ConcernOften addressed withSmall or flat chestAugmentation, fat transferSagging or deflated breastsLift, lift with augmentationOverly large breastsReductionImplant problemsRevision, implant removalBreast asymmetryAugmentation, lift, fat transferMale breast tissueGynecomastia The value is not the list. It is that the concern is matched to the procedure that actually resolves it. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Dr. Polynice operates primarily on the breast and body, which means these are the procedures he performs constantly, and his Mayo Clinic training and safety-first reputation matter most where the stakes are highest, in revision and implant-removal cases where a previous result did not go as hoped. Just as important, he is candid: sometimes the honest answer is a lift rather than an implant, or removal rather than another revision. Natural, proportionate, honest breast surgery is the standard here. ## Where to start **A good starting point if you** - Want more volume, a lift, or a reduction - Have a previous breast surgery you want revised - Are considering implant removal - Want an honest opinion on which procedure fits **Worth discussing carefully if you** - Are unsure whether you need an implant or just a lift - Have symptoms you think may be implant-related - Are still planning pregnancy or significant weight change ## What to expect A consultation begins with your goals and your anatomy, not a catalog. Dr. Polynice examines you, explains the realistic options and their trade-offs, and is honest about what will and will not achieve your goal, including when a simpler procedure is the better answer. You leave with a plan matched to your body, a clear picture of recovery, and pricing in writing. ## What it costs Breast surgery is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the procedure, whether it is combined with others, and your anatomy. Reduction is sometimes covered by insurance when it is symptomatic, which varies by plan and is never assured. You will have clear pricing in writing at your consultation. > Breast Procedures, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Breast surgery includes augmentation, lift (mastopexy), reduction, and reconstruction, each matched to whether the goal is more volume, repositioning, or reducing size; a lift addresses position while an implant or fat adds volume. — [Breast Procedures, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation) > Breast Implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (United States). Breast implants are not lifetime devices and may require revision or removal over time for reasons including capsular contracture, rupture, or malposition; the FDA advises informed discussion of risks and of removal options. — [Breast Implants, U.S](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/implants-and-prosthetics/breast-implants) ```ld+json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#webpage", "name": "Breast Surgery", "url": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/", "description": "Breast surgery at Santa Barbara Face & Body covers the full range, augmentation, lift, reduction, revision, implant removal, fat transfer, and gynecomastia, performed by Dr. Alain Polynice, a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses primarily on t…", "about": [ { "@type": "MedicalSpecialty", "name": "Plastic Surgery", "sameAs": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182442" } ], "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ ".geo-summary" ] }, "citation": [ { "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#citation-1568722c" }, { "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#citation-95870979" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": { "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Home" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Breast Surgery", "item": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Question", "name": "Breast Surgery", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Breast surgery at Santa Barbara Face & Body in Santa Barbara, California, includes augmentation, lift, reduction, revision, implant removal, fat transfer, and gynecomastia, performed by Dr. Alain Polynice, a board-certified plastic surgeon focused on the breast and body. The aim is a result matched to each patient's body and goals, with a safety-first approach." }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#webpage" }, "url": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a lift, an implant, or both?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on whether your concern is position or volume. If the breast has dropped but you are happy with the size, a lift alone repositions it. If you want more volume, an implant or fat transfer adds it. If the breast has both dropped and lost volume, a lift combined with augmentation addresses both in one stage. An honest exam tells you which, and a good surgeon will say when a lift alone is enough." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does breast revision involve?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Revision corrects a previous result, such as capsular contracture (hardening around an implant), implant malposition, rupture, or a change in your goals. It may involve removing or exchanging implants, releasing or removing scar tissue, adding a lift, or removing implants entirely. Because every revision is different, the plan is specific to what happened and what you want now, and it is an area of particular focus at the practice." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is breast reduction covered by insurance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Sometimes, when the reduction is medically necessary, meaning large breasts are causing documented symptoms such as neck, back, or shoulder pain. Coverage varies by plan, often requires documentation, and is never assured. Many people pursue reduction for both symptom relief and appearance. The practice can explain what documentation may be needed, and you will have clear pricing in writing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I want my implants removed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Implant removal is a straightforward option and one the practice supports without pressure to replace them. It can be done with or without a lift, depending on how your breasts look after removal, and some people choose removal because of concerns they attribute to their implants. Dr. Polynice will discuss what to expect and help you decide whether a lift alongside removal makes sense for you." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#citation-1568722c", "name": "Breast Procedures, American Society of Plastic Surgeons", "url": "https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/breast/#citation-95870979", "name": "Breast Implants, U.S", "url": "https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/implants-and-prosthetics/breast-implants" } ] } ```