Can axillary breast tissue in my armpit be removed with a breast lift or reduction surgery?

Recommend that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if liposuction might improve the situation or if a direct excision is needed. The armpit procedure can be combined with the breast lift or breast reduction.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Dear creamy77,
if you have fat tissue in your armpit, it can be removed using liposuction. However, if your problem is gland, then liposuction won't work and you'll have to get an excision. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Armpit/axillary fullness is fairly common. It can be due to excess fat, axillary breast tissue or a combination of both. Excess fat will be responsive to liposuction (which can be performed in conjunction with a reduction). Axillary breast tissue, on the other hand will need to be excised directly.It is important to differentiate between the two scenarios as this will direct treatment. Axillary breast tissue will typically change with the menstrual cycle (similar to the breast itself) while excess fat will not.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS)

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) Because you didn't provide pictures, it is difficult to say. Liposuction may be adequate. Direct excision may be necessary though. If you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

You can get a breast reduction and an accessory axillary breast excision at the same time. I can’t give you an exact answer since I don’t promote it but you can remove the excess armpit fat.

Good morning,It sounds like you have a common problem we see in many women- axillary fullness. A board certified plastic surgeon would be able to help you determine the etiology of the fullness. If this tissue is excess fatty tissue, it would be receptive to weight loss and you should see some decrease. From a surgical standpoint, depending on the type of tissue, this can either be liposuctioned or fully excised to improve the contour of the area. Coolsculpting is another option if the fullness is not due to axillary breast tissue, however this wouldn't tighten the skin like excision would. This type of procedure is often combined with a breast reduction. Best of luck!

The excess axillary tissue can usually be treated with liposuction alone.  If you are doing a breast reduction, it can be addressed at the same procedure.  If there is dense tissue in the axilla, it may require excision vs liposuction alone.Best of luck.Dr T

An exam would be necessary but if you have ectopic tissue in the armpit, it would be excised in a separate procedure.  Generally, I perform the reduction first for blood supply reasons and then schedule the excision.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
While axillary fat responds quite well to liposuction, axillary breast tissue may be difficult to remove with this technique. This may require open excision, which can be combined with breast lift / reduction surgery.
Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Depending on the technique used, it is absolutely possible to remove axillary fat at the same time as a breast reduction. If you are planning on having a breast reduction, you should be evaluated for a No-Vertical-Scar breast reduction. There are a number of no-vertical scar breast reduction techniques, but my preferred technique is the Bellesoma Breast Reduction technique. In my professional opinion, this technique represents a “quantum leap” in breast lift techniques. Our technique provides an exceptional breast lift, upper pole fullness, relief from neck and back pain, and no vertical breast lift scar. It uses a woman’s OWN breast tissue to produce an internal suspension technique and breast augmentation, without the need for a breast implant. It does not disturb the nipple, areola, or breast glands, so sensation and the ability to lactate is preserved. It uses 3D scanning of your breasts and body to design a procedure specifically designed for YOU, and you alone. Finally, for patients who desire breast enlargement, the constriction of breast width can result in an increase in cup size, and it can be combined with fat grafting to increase breast size. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate you. Preoperative visualization with Crisalix can simulate what your body will look like after surgery and can help you make your decision. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. Good luck!