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Breast tissue in underarm

I have a lump on my underarm.  It is not painful but it is ugly and it makes me very self conscious.  When I got pregnant it really got big and filled with milk my doctor said it was breaast tissue that traveled into my armpit and that as long as it didn't hurt it really wasn't anything to worry about.  It just looks like extra baggy skin and as a result I can't wear sleeveless tops.  I've never known anyone else who has this to ask what they think or feel.  My husband thinks if it bothers me so much I shyould have it removed.  I am scared and want to know what the health risks are.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Shat should I do about it?
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Avatar universal
hi,,,,my name is fatima..last week i had the same op as you on my right side......actually this was the second time i had it removed. 14 yrs ago i got both sides removed in pakistan....i think the right one still had some Breast tissue left and very soon it grew bk........i ignored it then and learnt to live it until now...........i have two kids and everytime i m pregnant or i have periods the lump use to hurt me....so i got it checked and the doc said its better to get it removed......i dont have alot or recovery day memories from last time....but this time i know its different. i have read a lot of your posts and i noticed when u mention having burning sensation. i have burning sensation on the upper part of my arm actually the upper back of my forearm....and every time i stretch my arm fully i have pain and its like my muscle cant stretch more.....i have had my fluid removed once ...that was 8 days after surgery it was 170 ml.....and now i will go again to get it out on Tuesday.....i want to ask you if u still have the burning sensitive feel to your forearm ? coz i fear i have lymhodema.
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Avatar universal
Hi there

I have the same issues and I recently turned 48.  How much were these procedures and what surgeon did you go to...  I need to really get this done.   I feel very self conscious and I cant wear sleeveless shirts and I have very deep indentations on my shoulders from bras and not to mention the extra breast tissue under my arms are getting larger... help
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Avatar universal
hi everyone.. I joined this community many years ago as my underarms were bothering me so much.. my boys called them extra boobs !!!.. which actually they are !!!

anyway, after a few consultations in regards to removing them, i decided against it.  the surgeon, did not seem a competant one, and he seemed to be trying to put me off.. he said that if i do go ahead.. then my underms could stretch back again because fluid would come into them to fill the gap after surgery.. he said that the lymph nodes, if he were to accidently remove one, would balloon my arm and it wouldn't go back to normal, ever !!!...

so i was very disheartened.. BUT.. i did decide on not doing it.  The reason being, if something bad were to happen, i wouldn't forgive myself.... i know it's a very VERY slim chance.. but things can go wrong... and because i have other health issues, i felt that i couldn't add to that....

so, the only time it bothers me is on holiday, but i now do the following.

If i'm on the beach, i still wear a bikini.. it is noticable, but generally people look (which i hate)..but that's it.. no one makes fun as we are all different shapes and sizes..... if i'm in close proximity to anyone, then i wear a cover up... AND if i'm on a boat trip - i wear a rash top, or just a plain t shirt..and swim in it....which makes me feel much more confident..

funny enough, i've lost over 2 stone, and they have got smaller.. so i'm hoping with another stone to go, they may not be that noticable...(but i doubt it.. as they were quite big !!)

i really REALLY did want surgery.. but i couldn't get it on the NHS  and private was quite expensive...

maybe if i had another surgeon who was positive, AND who had done lots of these types of surgeries i would have gone with it... but i didn't.. fate maybe ???...

so i have to avoid sleeveless dresses / tops.. i once thought that was so annoying.. but i've got used to it now.. and it doesn't bother me.. in the scheme of things.. it's not that big a deal...

i am 45 years old..



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Avatar universal
Also wanted to add:
I was back to work the very next day after the surgery. Other than feeling a little out of it and sometimes dizzy, I am doing fine. My arm has a little numbness and tingling near the surgical site, plus I have a minor rash. Other than that all is healing well.
I have been resting as much as possible since the surgery 5 days ago and feel pretty good. I took the Percocet prescribed to me twice on the day of surgery, and have been taking it only once at night since then to help me sleep.
The procedure itself took 40 minutes (I only had the left side done) and I was home less than 3 hours after I arrived at the surgery center. A very easy outpatient procedure. I am avoiding lifting my left arm and also trying to skip lifting anything heavy on that side.
I hope this info helps some of you who are considering having this done!
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Avatar universal
Emily-- I have read that if you get pregnant and breast feed that the tissue can grow back, but you should consult a doctor and get a real answer.
As far as a doc in Southern Cal-- I really liked my surgeon for this procedure-- Dr Matthew Lublin. His office is in Santa Monica. I had the surgery 5 days ago and I'm really happy I did.
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone--
I just had the surgery on my left underarm, 5 days ago. The recovery is going well but I feel like it was a bigger ordeal than I was expecting.
So far no complications in healing and I am grateful for that.
The swelling in the area is bigger than the breast tissue I had removed, but I am hoping it will go down over the next few weeks. In a few days I have a follow up with my General Surgeon who performed the procedure. I'll let you all know how it goes.
If anyone in the Los Angeles area needs a recommendation for a surgeon who is qualified to perform this procedure. I will happily endorse my doctor-- Dr. Matthew Lublin. If I can figure out how to post before and after pics, I'll try to do so. Any advice welcomed!!
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