Minimally Invasive Axillary Breast Tissue Removal

Whether you have excess breast tissues in one armpit or both, the effective treatment is surgery. Pristyn Care provides advanced treatment for axillary breast tissues by leveraging liposuction and excision techniques. The original appearance of the armpit region is restored by removing all the excess tissue growth. 

We are partnered with the best hospitals across India with state-of-the-art facilities and modern infrastructure. Pristyn Care also has its own clinics across multiple cities in India where patients can consult the best doctors without any initial consultation fee. We have an in-house team of plastic surgeons in various cities who have more than 10 years of experience in performing axillary breast tissue removal and other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. You can book a consultation with them and discuss the treatment options. 

One of the symptoms of axillary breast tissue is having pain in the underarm and the tissues become engorged, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If the tissues are left as they are, they might continue to grow and become more problematic. Not to mention that it limits the choice of apparel, leads to poor arm posture, and causes excessive sweating and stickiness in the region.

In some cases, other conditions like lipomas, liposarcoma, cysts, or other skin issues may go undetected if the underarm lump is not treated on time. To prevent this from happening, it is important to see a doctor and get diagnosed.

Diagnosis

There are several conditions that can be confused with axillary breasts, such as lymphadenopathy, lipoma, malignancy, sebaceous cyst, vascular malformation, etc. 

For proper diagnosis, the doctor will first physically examine the tissues and suggest the following tests for an accurate diagnosis- 

• Ultrasonography of the axilla to determine the nature of the swelling, identify its contents, and ensure that there is no vascular connection. 
• Color Doppler test is recommended to see if there is vascular swelling. 
• Mammography is done as a routine exam to rule out breast pathology. 
• MRI scan may be suggested in some cases if additional pathology, such as tubercular lymphadenopathy or malignancy is suspected. 

Procedure

Based on the results of the diagnostic tests, the most appropriate technique is used for axillary breast tissue removal. The procedure is carried out in the following steps- 

• General anesthesia is administered to put the patient to sleep. 
• Marking of the targeted area is done. The lax skin is pinched and an ellipse is formed in the direction of maximum laxity to identify the excised skin. The palpable gland is marked with dotted lines. If the axillary folds are too bulky, they will also be marked. 
• Subdermal infiltration is done for the incision. If liposuction is planned after excision, the marking is done pre-operatively. 
• Meticulous dissection of the tissues is done to separate the breast tissues while preserving every nerve. The lymph nodes and axillary pad of fat are also preserved. 
• Once the mammary tissues are identified, it is ligated and excised carefully. 
• After excision, the arm is abducted and temporary staplers are used to to secure the position of sutures.
• Liposuction is used to remove the dog ear (the protruding residual breast tissue). 
• Sutures are used to close the incisions. If necessary, drains may also be placed before suturing. 

The entire procedure will take around 60 to 90 minutes to complete. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. The surgery has no aesthetic downside as the incision is also placed smartly in the arm crease which conceals the surgery scar until it heals.

Typically, axillary breast tissue removal surgery is a safe procedure. But like all surgical procedures, there are some common risks- 

• Infection 
• Wound separation 
• Hematoma (blood accumulation)
• Seroma (fluid accumulation)
• Scarring 
• Excessive bleeding 
• Pain 
• Nerve injury 

Most of these complications can be avoided by a skilled surgeon.

To prepare for the surgery, the surgeon will give you the necessary instructions. The preparation will start by gathering the medical history of the patient. You should provide a list of all medications you are taking, including the prescribed and OTC medications.

The doctor and his team will provide further instructions before the surgery- 

• If you take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin, the dosage will be changed to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during the surgery. 
• Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements as they can also increase the risk of bleeding. 
• Two days before the surgery, the doctor will instruct you to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 
• You will be admitted to the hospital on the day before the surgery. The doctor’s team will also instruct you to avoid wearing tight clothes or any jewelry/accessory as they will be removed before the procedure. 
• You will be instructed to not eat or drink anything after midnight. 

Some other things that you should remember are wearing comfortable clothes to the hospital and taking only the essential supplies to the hospital. Also, ask someone to accompany you to the hospital.

Immediately after the surgery, you can expect to feel slightly disordered and nauseated due to the side effects of anesthesia. You will wake up either in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or your recovery room. The nursing staff will keep a track of your body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. 

Before you wake up, pain medications will be given to you through the IV. The doctor will see you and ask some questions to ensure that you are not feeling severe pain. The necessary medications will be provided and the doctor will give instructions to change the dressing. The schedule for post-surgery follow-up will also be given before discharge. As soon as your discharge papers are ready, you can go home.

Removing the axillary breast tissue will have the following benefits- 

• Relief from Arm Pain- The pain that was caused due to the development of breast tissue in the arm will be resolved after the procedure. 
• Improved Arm Mobility- Often excess tissue growth in the axilla restricts the arm’s mobility. It also affects the arm’s posture. Such problems will also get resolved with the surgery and you can freely move the arm after recovery. 
• Less Irritation- Most women get excess sweating and stickiness under the arms due to the presence of the lump. This leads to irritation and also rashes. Surgical treatment will help to get rid of these problems too.
• Elimination of Undesirable Contours- One of the major concerns for women is the inability to wear sleeveless clothes and feeling concerned about the lump constantly. Surgery will remove the tissues and give you the freedom to dress as you like again. The unwanted contours of the underarm will be gone.

Some non-surgical alternatives for the treatment of axillary breast tissue are- 

• Injection Lipolysis- This method involves using a chemical to reduce the fat cells in the targeted site. A chemical called deoxycholic acid is used to kill the fat cells to improve the appearance of the armpit. 
• High-Intensity Focalised Ultrasound (HIFU)- This method is more like a therapeutic technique that uses non-ionizing ultrasonic waves to ablate tissues in the underarm. 

The effectiveness of these two methods to treat axillary breast tissue is usually not optimal. In 80 to 90% of cases, surgery is required to remove the tissues properly.

As you will be discharged from the hospital on the same day of surgery, the entire recovery will be at home. A recovery guide will be given to you that will contain the following information-

• Take good care of the incision and keep the wound clean and dry. 
• As the body is healing, you may have different sensations in the breast or arm which is normal. The tenderness, numbness, and twinges will go away over the next few weeks. 
• Scar tissue will start to form over the incisions and you should not be alarmed about it. As the incisions are dissolvable, there is no need to worry. 
• Shower after 24 hours after the surgery and use warm water as it will help you relax. 
• Wash the incisions will soap and water and then clean them with a dry towel. 
• Unless you have drains placed, it is safe to leave the incision(s) uncovered. 
• Avoid taking tub baths, saunas, hot tubs, and swimming until the doctor permits you. 
• Take the medications as directed by the doctor. 
• Do not drive or drink alcohol while taking prescription medicines. 
• If possible, exercise and walk around to improve blood circulation. 
• Increase the fiber intake and include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cereals in your diet. 
• There won’t be any restrictions on physical activities. You can resume everything whenever you feel comfortable. 
• It will be best to avoid strenuous exercises until you heal completely.

The results of axillary breast tissue removal surgery (axillaplasty) will take some time to become clearly visible. There will be swelling in the surgical site but you will notice that the lump in the arm is no longer there. During the recovery period, as the scar tissue starts to form around the incisions, the range of motion of the arm and shoulder may be restricted for some time. The tissues will become soft in the upcoming weeks and you will regain your arm mobility.

Axillary breast tissue removal cost in India ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 approximately. The overall expense varies for each patient due to the following factors-

• The severity of the condition
• The method chosen for the removal of axillary breast tissues
• Choice of hospital
• Hospitalization expenses
• Doctor’s consultation and operating fee
• Diagnostic tests to identify the tissues
• Prescribed medications
• Post-op care and support garments
• Follow-up consultations
  

Consult with best Plastic Surgeon at Pristyn Care and get cost estimate of Axillary Breast.