Breast Reduction: Q&A
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Should I Have Axillary Tissue Removed with my Breast Reduction?
My PS is convinced the axillary is primarily breast tissue and is concerned that lipo will not leave a good result. He would prefer to do the BR first and then see, but he does not believe the BR is likely to reduce them. Also he's charging a lot for the axillary removal. Should I push to do both together? Should i Do the BR alone and then Explore other PS options for the axillary removal. My PS is VERY experienced and has a fabulous reputation so I am concerned by his reluctance.
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11 Doctor Answers |
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SydneyNJ13
+2
Reducing Axillary Fullness with Breast Reduction
Axillary fullness can be due to several things. The hardest to deal with during breast reduction is actually breast tissue in what is known as the "Tail of Spence," an extension of the breast itself toward the axilla. Frequently, however, the fullness is fat, either alone or over the axillary extension of the breast. Liposuction can generally remove the excess fat and, in many cases, flatten the area. If the fullness is breast tissue, then the only way to flatten it is to resect it. To do...
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Highlands Plastic Surgeon
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Axillary tissue removal at breast reduction surgery
I would take a different view than most of my colleagues who have commented so far.
It's not clear exactly what you mean by axillary tissue however. You may mean one of the following: Accessory breast tissue (extra breast tissue just at the top front edge of your armpit), a large axillary tail of your breast (so the breast looks wide based, even sometimes to right under the arm), or just a fatty axilla, separate to the breast itself.
In any of these instances, it's very...
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Should I Have Axillary Tissue Removed with my Breast Reduction?
Although it is worthwhile to seek opinions online, you seem to understand the situation and your choices well. Many patients want this extra axillary tissue removed at the time of breast lift or breast reduction. It can be done, but is extra time, effort, and risk superimposed upon an already demanding procedure.
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Axillary breast tissue
While I cannot tell you what to do since I have not examined you, it is not uncommon to remove redundant axillary breast tissue at the same time as the breast reduction. Since this breast tissue is often glandular rather than fat, liposuction by itself is not that effective. The skin can also be rather redundant and hang loosely if not excised so a direct excision with removal of the redundant skin is often required. Perhaps your surgeon is reluctant to create a new scar that can be...
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Breast Reduction and axillary liposuction
Without examination and photos its best to trust your experienced plastic surgeon who has an excellent reputation. You can always reassess this area following surgery and determine if it makes sense to undergo liposuction once you have healed from your reduction.
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Breast Tissue Removed
We see this very commonly with breast reduction. It may be satisfactory to perform liposuction at the time of breast reduction. This may solve the issue and it can always be excised if needed. goog luck
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San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
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Excess Axillary Tissue Done Together Or Separate from Breast Reduction
There are arguments to be made for simultaneous vs. staged axillary breast tissue removal at the time of a breast reduction. The only reason to stage it, and a really good reason, is that it may injure the blood supply to the skin flaps of the breast reduction. The risk of that depends somewhat on the technique used to remove it. Liposuction extraction diminishes that risk while an open incisional approach increases it. Your plastic surgeon's reluctuance to do them together should be a...
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Breast and axillary tissue reduction
When performing a breast reduction, the lateral flap of skin closed obtains its blood supply from the lateral and superior tissue. If you excise the axillary tissue at the same time, it may compromise the survival of that skin.
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Removal of axillary tissue
It is common for patients to have both excess axillary tissue and macromastia. However, I perform the breast reduction first and then operate on the axillae at a later date. The reason is that working in the axilla can compromise the blood supply to the flaps and increase the risk of nipple/areolar slough, among other things. Your plastic surgeon is taking the conservative and, in my opinion, appropriate course here. Liposuction is not the treatment of choice for breast tissue as opposed...
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Combining Cosmetic and Insurance Procedures
The breast reduction can be approved by insurance, and cosmetic surgery can be combined in addition to get a break on anesthesia and facility fees. This is not impossible and is done frequently. Your plastic surgeon probably has a good reason why he does not want to perform this second procedure. If you trust him, trust his opinion. Good luck.
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