Skin on side of breasts

4 years post op and have been seriously looking into BR or lift.  I was just wondering if anyone else has had skin flaps along their sides.  The type that bulges and hangs over the sides of your bra.  Is this removed in a BR or lift?  Or is it something separate all together.  I have looked at procedures and neither of them mention how this skin is affected.  I would be afraid that I would look great in front but then still have the side baggage...which really bothers me because I can't wear tight shirts with it...

I haven't had this surgery yet. But I have the extra flap on the side and it hangs over the bra and also under . I'm scheduled for a Upper Body Lift on 02/25/11 and it will be removed. On the other hand i have several friends that have had BR/BL  and the extra skin was not removed. The Dr. stated that this was not a part of the Breast and therefore was not addressed. In fact my BFF is schedule for 03/02/11 to have it removed. costing her an additional 3600. but she absolutely hates the way it looks in her clothes.

I had a breast lift with implants and it did pull some of that skin tighter but not enough to satisfy me. I later had a separate procedure (upper flankplasty) to have the remainder removed. It also took some extra skin off my upper back...the incision extended from under my breast and went into my sides and around to my back on both sides. I am happy with the results. I no longer have the overhang on my bra or bathing suit or tanks and halter tops.

I had reduction/lift, brachioplasty, and they extended into my back. Most of that side flap is gone, but there's still a teeny bit.

I had a breast lift (with brachioplasty) 8 weeks ago.

My incisions go under my breast -- and 1/2 way around my body basically.
He took alot of the 'under arm bra bulge' ------ more than I was expecting.

I am thrilled with the result --- that is the most 'tender' part of my body though.
It makes it a little uncomfortable to sleep on my side --- but is so worth it.

Are you getting consults yet?  Do you have a surgeon --- you should be able to get a very clear indication of how much skin and 'flab' they think they can remove.

Good luck!

I developed an upper body lift technique to deal with that problem. It can be done alone, but is most often done in combination with an arm lift and breast lift:

http://www.drlomonaco.com/houston-upper-body-lift.shtml

I consulted with a PS almost 2 years ago, but since at the time I was dealing with severe iron deficiency he did not recommend pursuing surgery until it was resolved.  But he had recommended lift/implants... but when I asked about the side baggage he didn't seem to be very familiar with any techniques for it... Had to look into estimating cost etc...so I felt that he was not a very good choice. 
Right now I have an appointment with another PS in February for a consult. 
Lucky for me it has taken 2 years to get to a hemo doc and get iron infusions... plus ablation, hyst etc...  At the same time I have also now been dx with fibrocystic breasts (which I think is the explanation for what can't be explained).  I started with abnormal discharge, went through duct excision which showed benign... the doctor was excited.  But she didnt seem to care that infection and necrosis set in so now there is only half the nipple. Plus the area where the duct was removed is a hollow 2 inch groove along the inner upper area (where cleavage would be), and of course in a support bra it is a full cup (if not more) smaller.  Of course reconstruction is only available following treatment of breast disease...not diagnosing or biopsy.

So now I am able to function again (severe anemia starts affecting judgement).  I have met and exceeded my goal weight of 150. (150 lb lost) I have started working out again to tighten what I can (had hernia/TT in 2007), and I know that there is no way that any amount of exercise can fix my breasts.  Not to mention that I now take pain meds daily for the pain and feel like I'm laying on a rock all night from the lumps.  I try to wear support bras, but compressing the skin is painful (my opinion is this is what aggrivates the fibrocystic conditions because my hormones must stay the same all month...) I don't like the support bras because when I wear them I have to wear padding to make both look the same size. I wear double sided tape along the edges to keep the skin in the cups (which causes rashes).   I feel like I dont have breasts...I have bags of lumps...  I know from looking at them and how much they have shrank that it would be a miriacle to get a lb of skin and tissue from them...so I probably would not qualify for a reduction based on size.  Not to mention I would need something put back into them.  I ask about the side baggage because I still have plenty of that...and if that counts as breast skin than maybe I would meet the needed amounts. 
I have discovered that my insurance BC/BS has a plastic surgery clause in which if I have 'cosmetic' - not medically necessary- surgery then I take responsibility for any complications or costs that may occur in the future including extra imaging needed due to the implants etc. With having lumps and bumps appear all the time I get to have a mammo every 6 mo.  To me that is scary... Am I alone or do most people who have PS not have a concern for this aspect?

"When I asked about the side baggage he didn't seem to be very familiar with any techniques"

Be sure you find somebody who is familiar with one of the several options available to treat this area.  relying on the breast lift and implant alone is unrealistic.


"I take responsibility for any complications or costs that may occur in the future including extra imaging needed due to the implants"
 
I have never heard of this, but this policy would really expose them to liability not to mention it is unethical.  If true, this is truly a dark day for our healthcare system.

Granted, insurance will not pay for new implants should you choose to have yours removed or changed.  But separating out medical conditions that may require "extra imaging" and trying to sort out what was because of prior plastic surgery and what was not is really subjective.

And guess who defines what is cosmetic and what is reconstructive ?  It's certainly not you or your doctor(s).