Axillary breast tissue removal - is there a specific type of surgery/surgeon I should be researching

Question

42 year old female. Both underarms have axillary breast tissue, left side worse than right. Is there a specific type of surgery/surgeon I should be researching or is liposuction the only option? What is done to tighten the skin? Any advice would be appreciated.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Axillary breast tissue removal is difficult with liposuction alone. Swelling can persist for 6 months and sometimes up to 1 year following liposuction. The scars are initially red or hyperpigmented but the scars do tend to improve over about a 12 to 18 month period. Given time, you will probably be pleased with the result. Open excision may be recommended if there is an extensive amount of axillary breast tissue.

Rishi Jindal, MD · Answer

Hello, as with many areas, the answer is going to depend on how much tissue you have there and how loose the skin is. Liposuction alone is usually good for the small area just in front of the axilla when your arm is down at your side, but if someone truly has a large mass or area of breast tissue under the arm, I think techniques that do not excise skin do not adequately flatten the area out. I typically liposuction what I can, see if it’s “debulked” enough, and then excise skin that’s too loose along with any fibrous breast tissue there that did not come out with lipo.
Lastly, I would say that there are techniques like doing ultrasound-assisted lipo, lipo with a skin tightening device like Renuvion, or just liposuction with a lot of compression to see how much contracts and then coming back later or doing an in-office skin excision to avoid a second trip to the OR, all depending on what the area looks and feels like on you specifically.
Hope this helps, thanks!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear nicerw,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, excision of axillary breast tissue is a good option to completely remove the tissue. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
A board certified plastic surgeon is your best bet.
Treatment ranges from Liposuction to open excision through a scar in the underarm near the upper outer breast.
You can find a board certified plastic surgeon at plasticsurgery.org.
Best of luck to you!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Excess axillary tissue can be liposuction if it is fat or can be surgically remove.  You may also need a brachioplasty at the same time.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Depending of the size of lesion, liposuction and direct tissue excision, including redundant skin, should be considered. Scar is hidden in armpit and should not be an issue. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Good luck.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns and axillary breast tissue is a fairly common occurrence.
 Sometimes it can be treated with liposuction alone, however since there is primarily dense breast tissue present in the armpit region, direct excision is usually required. Excessive skin and axillary breast  tissue is excised and the scar hidden within the fold of the arm pit. Come see me or another board-certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Axillary breast tissue can be addressed by a board certified plastic surgeon.  You can visit the ASPS website to find surgeons near you.  There will be links to their websites.  You'll also be able to see before/after photos and review credentials.  Depending on your situation you may be able to address your concerns with liposuction alone.  If there is too much skin excess, then excision may be recommended.

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hello. In my opinion liposuction would be the best treatment option for axillary breast tissue. Incision will be very short (3 to 4mm) and hidden in the armpit. In your case vaser liposuction will be good option and will help in skin tightening. Hope that I have cleared your doubt. Thank you for posting your query. Wishing a healthy life.

Cagil Meric Erenoglu, MD · Answer

Axillary breast tissue is like the breast tissue itself, has both gland and fat tissue. So the treatment depends on the size and content of the axillary breast. If it is small and fat-dominant, the liposuction may be a good option and skin tightening will happen itself because there is not too much abundant skin. However if the tissue is large and gland-rich, (breast gland tissue does not come out with liposuction) then an excisional treatment is a better option, both the gland, fat and excessive skin can be treated at the same time and the scar is settled on the armpit crease, resulting in a natural and non-obvious scar.
Axillary breast tissue treatment must be done by plastic surgeons who are experienced in breast surgery and aesthetics.

Axillary breast tissue removal - is there a specific type of surgery/surgeon I should be researching

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