Accessory breast refers to excess breast tissue in a woman or man's body in addition to normal breasts. Accessory breasts are usually located in different areas of the armpits, chest or under the breasts, and their sizes and shapes vary. Although accessory breasts usually do not cause serious health problems, their appearance may affect appearance, or cause pain, infection and other problems in some cases. For patients in need, accessory breast removal surgery is a common solution. This article will discuss the preparations for accessory breast removal surgery in detail to help patients make adequate preoperative preparations and ensure the smooth progress of the operation and postoperative recovery.
1. Understanding accessory breast removal surgery
Accessory breast removal surgery is a procedure that removes excess breast tissue from the body through surgical means. Accessory breasts are formed because the breast tissue does not completely degenerate during embryonic development, resulting in some residual breast tissue . These residual tissues may change under the action of female hormones and form palpable lumps. The purpose of accessory breast removal surgery is usually to improve appearance or solve related discomfort.
2. Preoperative evaluation and diagnosis
Before deciding whether to undergo accessory breast removal surgery, a detailed medical evaluation and diagnosis is required. This process mainly includes the following aspects:
Physical examination : The doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination of the location, size, shape, and whether there are symptoms such as pain and swelling of the accessory breasts. Accessory breasts are generally located in multiple areas around the breasts, such as the armpits, under the breasts, or on both sides of the chest.
Imaging tests : To confirm the nature of the accessory breast, your doctor may recommend imaging tests such as ultrasound , breast X-ray (mammography) , or MRI to rule out the possibility of other breast lesions or tumors.
Medical history assessment : Understand whether the patient has a history of breast-related diseases, including breast cancer, breast hyperplasia and other problems, so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken during the operation.
Through the above evaluation, the doctor can confirm the nature and location of the accessory breast and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.
3. Preoperative Preparation
After determining the surgical plan for accessory breast removal, the patient needs to make adequate preoperative preparations. The following are some common preparations:
Preoperative fasting : Fasting is usually required before surgery to ensure that no vomiting or other accidents occur during anesthesia. Patients are usually required to fast for at least 6 hours before surgery and avoid drinking water.
Assess health status : Patients need to provide a detailed medical history before surgery, including allergy history, previous illnesses, medication use, etc. If the patient has high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other diseases, targeted treatment is required to ensure a smooth operation during and after the operation.
Medication adjustment : Certain medications may need to be suspended before surgery. For example, anticoagulants (such as aspirin) and blood sugar regulating drugs may affect the surgical process, so patients should stop taking them according to the doctor's advice.
Laboratory tests : Routine laboratory tests may be required before surgery, such as blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, coagulation function tests, etc. , to ensure that the surgery can proceed smoothly.
Preoperative explanation and signing of consent form : The doctor will explain the surgical process, risks and expected results to the patient in detail to ensure that the patient understands all the details of the operation. The patient needs to sign a preoperative consent form to indicate his/her informed consent to the operation.
Physical preparation : A few days before the operation, the patient should maintain good physical condition, avoid strenuous exercise, maintain good eating habits, and enhance immunity.
4. Surgical Procedure
The accessory breast removal surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours. The specific steps are as follows:
Anesthesia : At the beginning of the operation, the anesthesiologist will choose the appropriate anesthesia method based on the patient's health condition and surgical needs. Local anesthesia is usually suitable for patients with smaller accessory breasts, while general anesthesia is suitable for more complex operations.
Incision design : The doctor will design the incision based on the location and size of the accessory breast. Common incision locations include the armpits, under the chest, or around the areola . The incision design must ensure that the accessory breast tissue can be completely removed while minimizing the formation of postoperative scars.
Accessory breast tissue removal : After the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor will carefully remove the accessory breast tissue. During the operation, the doctor will ensure that the removal is thorough enough to avoid residual accessory breast tissue and reduce the possibility of recurrence.
Hemostasis and suturing : After the operation, the doctor will stop the bleeding of the incision and suture it with absorbable or non-absorbable sutures. A drainage tube may be placed as needed to help drain postoperative exudate and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
5. Postoperative recovery and precautions
The postoperative recovery of accessory breast removal surgery is relatively fast, but in order to ensure the postoperative effect and reduce complications, patients need to follow the following precautions:
Postoperative rest : After surgery, patients should get enough rest and avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting, usually within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, to avoid excessive stimulation of the surgical site.
Wound care : After surgery, the incision should be kept dry and clean to avoid wound infection, and the dressing should be changed according to the doctor's instructions.
Observe postoperative reactions : Patients need to have regular follow-up visits after surgery to check their postoperative recovery. If there are any abnormal conditions, such as persistent swelling, pain, or redness, seek medical attention promptly.
Wear supportive garments : After surgery, your doctor may recommend that you wear professional supportive garments to help stabilize your breasts and promote tissue recovery.
Diet and lifestyle : After surgery, you should maintain good eating habits, avoid excessive intake of high-salt, high-sugar, high-fat and other foods, stay healthy and avoid obesity.
6. Possible complications after surgery
Although accessory breast removal surgery is generally safe, there may still be a risk of complications. Patients should be aware of the following common problems:
Infection : Postoperative infection is one of the most common complications. Patients need to pay close attention to changes in the wound after surgery and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat and pain occur.
Bleeding : Postoperative bleeding may lead to hematoma formation, which requires timely treatment to avoid aggravating the condition.
Scars : Although modern surgical techniques can reduce scar formation, scars may still exist due to the incision site and individual differences.
Numbness or swelling : Since the surgical incision may involve nerves and blood vessels, some patients may experience local numbness or swelling after surgery, which usually recovers gradually over time.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Accessory mastectomy is a common surgery to improve appearance. Preoperative preparation is crucial. Patients should undergo a comprehensive evaluation under the guidance of a professional doctor and adjust the preoperative plan according to their individual circumstances. During the postoperative recovery period, attention should be paid to rest, wound care, and a healthy diet to avoid complications. As long as the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures are scientific and reasonable, accessory mastectomy can effectively improve the patient's quality of life and restore beauty.