Clearwater Doctors

Can You Do a Breast Lift from the Arm Pit?

Can You Do a Breast Lift from the Arm Pit?

Modern day plastic surgery techniques have not yet been developed that allow for breast lifting thru an axillary (armpit) incision. Breast augmentation using an axillary approach would not be an option if you have been advised that you require breast lifting in order to achieve your desired results.

Antonio Gayoso, MD

Saint Petersburg Plastic Surgeon

Tiny Black Scab and Puckered Nipples Normal 14 Days Post Op? (photo)

Everything has been fine. I have been to my PS nurses twice, to remove staples and the second time a stitch was out and it was irritating me. Both times they have looked at them and said that they are healing well and to really scrub at my scab. They said that the puckering of my nipples was normal and it would go away. I keep scrubbing this scab but it wont go away, it has gotten smaller but it wont go away. Im scared its necrosis and also that my nipples wont unpucker. Any advice?

Thank-you for your photos. It is not unusual for some puckering of the areola after mastopexy (breast lift) surgery. In addition to that, on occasion  a small area along the incision may not be as quick to heal as the other incisional areas. Your photos show a small scab in an area that is not unusual to have a scab.  I have my patients keep areas like this clean and dry and allow the scab to act like a natural 'bandaid'. As always, follow the directions of your surgeon and report any redness or worsening of the scab. 

Antonio Gayoso, MD

Saint Petersburg Plastic Surgeon

Who Pays for the Cost of Emergency Room After Surgery if It Becomes Necessary?

If something goes wrong and I end up in an ER as a result of a breast augmentation surgery, who will pay for the ER's cost? I asked my insurance company, and they said because it's cosmetic surgery based reason, they don't cover the cost. I called my surgeon's office and the receptionist said if insurance doesn't cover, it would be on me. Really? Then how much I need to be prepare myself for this worst scenario?

Fortunately, hospital treatment after elective breast surgery is rare, especially if you go to qualified plastic surgeon who has been diligent in screening you from a health standpoint for your upcoming surgery. However, emergencies can happen and it will be difficult to predict whether or not a post operative ER visit or hospitalization would be covered by your insurance company. There is a company that provides insurance for complications after cosmetic surgery if the complication occurs within 30 days of the procedure. This company is called CosmetAssure and would be a company that your surgeon contracts with. You may want to consider choosing a plastic surgeon who offers CosmetAssure on the rare chance that you would need ER treatment after surgery.

Antonio Gayoso, MD

Saint Petersburg Plastic Surgeon