What Can I Do About my Armpit Fat? (photo)

I've struggled to get rid of it through diet and exercise without any luck. I figured it was badly distributed fat all these years, but now I'm hearing it could actually be migrated breast tissue from wearing the wrong bra size. Well, either way it's an eyesore. Whether it's fat or tissue, what can I do about it? Maybe lipo? Or excision? Thanks in advance for your help.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by zhen_zhen in SoCaL

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (2)

Armpit fat removal

I have had good success with contouring this area with liposuction alone. However, if there is breast tissue in this area, the amount of correction will be limited. The area that you are showing in your photograph appears that it would improve with liposuction

How to remove bulging fat next to breasts? (photos)

In my experience, this small bulge of fat, which may indeed represent supernumerary breast tissue, is usually very soft, free of fibrous stroma, and responds well to syringe liposuction in the office. Post surgical compression is indicated (custom fitted or sized elastic bra, vest, or elastic bandages to apply gentle pressure for prevention of bleeding and control of swelling). Direct surgical excision reserved, in my opinion, for much larger bulges.

Liposuction of the armpit area does make a big improvement !

Liposuction under local anesthesia does make a big improvement in the bulges all around the armpit (front,center, and back). Recovery is fast and the procedure is easy to undergo. Fat and fibrous tissue both are usually removed and doesn't leave any ugly scars. Cost is roughly $4,000 on special and is so worth it. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

David Hansen, MD

19 reviews

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Armpit fat is really breast tissue and needs excision.

You appear to have what is known as an axillary breast. As an embryo, everyone has a " breast line" which runs from the armpit, through where the normal breast is and down as low as the groin. Breast tissue can develop anywhere along this line. It is relatively common to have it develop in the armpit area. As it is partially breast tissue and fiberous, it is hard to remove it with liposuction alone and resection is usually needed. The trade off... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

18 reviews

Boston Plastic Surgeon

What Can I Do About my Armpit Fat?

You are rtight that the excess tissue is uaually breast tissue. It cannot be aspirated or sucked out, it requires surgical excision with a scar. You need to decide which you would prefer. Many patients prefer a scar with the improved contour, others choose to avoid the scar.

What Can I Do About my Armpit Fat?Answr:

My private scrub tech Sheila calls them "arm pit shrimps" cause they look like little shrimps taped under the arms..hmmm..But I understand what doctors are telling you about it being breast tissue and I'm sure that's is correct. However I have had really good luck treating this area with just liposuction. A lot of breast tissue is fat and some doctors routinely reduce breast size using just liposuction so why not here!!! Again, I have seen great improvement and women really... more

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Comments (2)

duce90 10 Mar 2013

I am no Dr or expert but from side view it looks like you need to go up a cup size with your bra. you may also need to check that the waist band is not too tight. you should be able to fit two fingers underneath it comfortably when it is on. I too have that extra fat/skin there at the front and have always been self concious about it. however I have always had it and still do and I am size 8-10 and am at my thinnest and fittest I have ever been! after much research I think it is quite normal. lots of people have it, mainly women. if you Google it there are plenty of celebs that have it too! It may just be one of those things you need to work on to accept as being part of who you are (as I do too!) there is of course weight training you can do to help tone the muscles underneath which will help but ultimately I don't think you can get rid of it without something extreme like lipo or surgery. However, this is a common place for slight fat storage on women and if you were to have lipo my guess is it would return. Learn to love your body and focus on the areas you like :) take a look at sarahfit.com she has a video on armpit fat. Just Google it. as she explains she too has it :) it boosted my spirits!

maelis 27 Feb 2013

Hello! it really looks like migrated breast tissue, not like fat. I think you should really try another bra size, at least 2 or 3 (or 4) cup size more, and probably 1 or 2 (or 3) band size less. After a while with a well fitting bra you will probably get rid of this fat, which is no fat at all! Greets

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