Should I get breast reduction or full abs, back and flank surgery first?

Question

Hi. I have been approved by my insurance company to get a breast reduction (40DDD). The surgeon does not want to perform liposuction at the same time because of how long it will take and how many liters will be removed. Which procedure do you suggest first for better cosmetic results?

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

As your breast reduction has been approved, it makes sense to proceed with that.  As many hospitals give a discounted fee for cosmetic procedures which are done after an insurance case, perhaps a specific area of your liposuction could be done at the same time as your breast reduction.  This would take off some of the time needed for the remaining areas to be done in the future AND help your surgeon stay within the ASPS guidelines of not removing more than 5 liters of lipoaspirate per surgery.  Your surgeon could remove  X liters during the first procedure from areas in the same general location as the breast reduction, then more at a later date from areas not treated at the first procedure.  This keeps the time short for each procedure and keeps the amount of fat removed within the guidelines and makes it safer for you.  Good luck.

Lisa J. Peters, MD · Answer

I don't think there's a right or a wrong answer to this question.  An argument may be made to have the breast reduction first, as it's already been approved by your insurance company and if you were to change insurance or lose coverage for some reason, it's not a guarantee that you'd be approved by another insurer.  On the other hand, when I perform a breast reduction, I like to gauge the size of the new breasts relative to the proportions of the patient, so having the liposuction first may give the surgeon a better idea of what size breasts will fit best on your "new" body.

Richard A. Bartlett, MD · Answer

Dear c318,Without more information or a picture it is difficult to answer your question specifically.  Assuming you are talking about liposuction other than on your breasts you should probably listen to your surgeon.  Liposuction and breast reduction are address separate and distinct goals.  It doesn't really matter which is done first, but occasionally in larger patients the smartest thing to do is to separate the procedures.

Should I get breast reduction or full abs, back and flank surgery first?

Answers (3)

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