London cosmetic breast specialist, Mr Kelvin Ramsey writes an article for Top Doctors, entitled ‘Am I eligible for breast reduction surgery?’.

Plastic surgeon Mr Ramsey covers the factors that he takes into account when assessing breast reduction patients and what you should know before you make the decision.

“Any woman who has issues with the size of her breasts can be eligible for breast reduction surgery. If the size of their breasts is affecting their everyday life, then reduction surgery may be an option.”

He then discusses the timing of the breast reduction surgery, particularly in relation to whether you should lose weight prior to the operation. “If a patient is planning to lose weight,” Mr Ramsey explains, “it’s recommended that they get to their ideal weight before the surgery. This is because if a patient loses weight after a breast reduction, it will cause the breasts to droop more quickly.”

For more advice on the breast reduction procedure, call 20 3764 0399 or email pa@kelvinramsey.co.uk to book a consultation.

Lymphoedema specialist Mr Kelvin Ramsey and colleagues recently had an article published in the British Journal of Surgery.

Following treatment for breast cancer, damage caused by surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes under the arm can result in a build-up of lymph fluid causing a swelling of the tissues known as lymphoedema. Treating breast cancer-related lymphoedema presents a significant cost to the healthcare system and the symptoms – swelling, discomfort, a sensation of tightness, dry skin and possible infection – all adversely affect the quality of life of patients.

Mr Ramsey and his colleagues conducted a feasibility study into the use of combined dynamic imaging and lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery for the treatment of breast-cancer related lymphoedema.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy with indocyanine green lymphatic mapping to identify suitable lymphatic channels, patients were then treated with end-to-end anastomoses to subdermal venules. After surgery, compression garment therapy (CGT) was recommended. Excess volume reduction was assessed at regular intervals and an excess volume reduction of -33·2 per cent was recorded at 12 months.

The authors concluded that this combined approach could result in sustained volume reduction, but further work would be required to identify biomarkers that would allow practitioners to predict who would best respond to this treatment.

Chosen as the front cover article for this month’s journal, the editor tweeted his excitement at the study’s findings.

Breast implant surgery is a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure and is typically very successful, with a high patient satisfaction rate. However, any surgical procedure carries a degree of risk and potential complications and it is essential that patients are fully aware of the implications of their decision to go ahead with surgery at that time.

Last month, a joint statement was released by the Association of Breast Surgeons (ABS), the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), who have been working in close collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to evaluate the risk factors associated with Breast Implant Associated – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Click here to read the statement in full.

Mr Kelvin Ramsey always offers a comprehensive consultation where all aspects of the surgical procedure are discussed in depth to ensure that patients are fully informed. If you have further questions, then please call 020 3764 0399 to arrange a consultation.

Published this month in the British Medical Journal was an interesting paper on the application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer. This type of chemotherapy refers to medicines that are used prior to surgery to reduce the size of the tumour.

Lead author of the paper, Mr Jayant S Vaidya, professor of surgery and oncology and consultant breast cancer surgeon at University College London and the Royal Free Hospital, argued that in some cases we must reconsider current the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as there is evidence to suggest that there is a higher rate of local recurrence and no evidence of survival benefit.