How can I fix sagging skin on my back after a mastectomy?

Question

I had a double mastectomy 7 years ago and have never wanted to wear anything that shows my upper back ever since. The area where the breast was removed under the armpit is just puffy skin - it doesn't feel like there's any fat under there - and it extends around to my back. It seems like there is no structure for the skin to hang on and it's extremely unattractive. It looks like saggy flab even though there's nothing there but skin. Is there a laser that could fix this? If not is there a surgery?

Jeffrey Swail, MD · Answer

Sometimes the transition between a healed mastectomy and surrounding tissue can be associated with bunching and irregularity of the skin whether reconstruction was done or not. It’s quite possible that a scar revision or surgical contouring of the surrounding tissue can be done. Laser is unlikely to be effective.

Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have excess skin and subcutaneous tissue lateral to the breast after mastectomy.  Sometimes this lateral excess is mainly skin, as you seem to be describing, due to removal of the adjacent breast tissue and preservation of nearby skin.  In that case, the loose skin can be directly excised with a remaining straight-line scar in its place.  
Sometimes there is also a copious amount of subcutaneous tissue in the lateral excess, which was present previous to the mastectomy but after removal of the breast volume appears to be more prominent because it is now more visible.  This occurrence is especially true when no reconstruction was performed.  In the case of subcutaneous tissue excess, the subcutaneous tissue can be liposuctioned and/or directly excised with the excess skin.  I would recommend discussing your concerns with your breast surgeon and have he or she recommend a plastic surgeon for consultation.
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD

Leslie Memsic, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not uncommon to have excess skin and soft tissue lateral to the breast after mastectomy. This tissue is not breast tissue but joins the breast and generally looks fine before mastectomy. Once the breast is removed- especially without reconstruction, this tissue becomes more prominent. The tissue can be reomoved bysurgical excision (will result in scar),  liposuction, or cool sculpting and I recommend you consult with a breast surgeon or plastic specialist. You deserve to be happy with your body. Good luck and take care.

Heather Richardson, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes! There are many procedures that can improve surrounding uneven tissue after mastectomy! From liposuction, to CoolSculpting, to surgical excision, talk with your plastic surgeon or your breast surgeon to discuss the best options.

Ali Sadeghi, MD, FACS · Answer

thank you for the question.  Post mastectomy revision and breast reconstruction revision are options that you have to deal with the excess skin in the back. This is a procedure that is offered by board certified plastic surgeons. Good luck

How can I fix sagging skin on my back after a mastectomy?

Answers (5)

Answer: Uneven surrounding tissue after mastectomy

Answer: Uneven surrounding tissue after mastectomy

Answer: Post mastectomy revision

Answer: Post mastectomy revision

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Everything you need to know about Mastectomy

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How can I fix sagging skin on my back after a mastectomy?

Answers (5)

Answer: Uneven surrounding tissue after mastectomy

Answer: Uneven surrounding tissue after mastectomy

Answer: Post mastectomy revision

Answer: Post mastectomy revision

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mastectomy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.