Breast tissue in underarm

[sexylaty]

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?

[meeboh50]

Thanks that was very reassuring.

[mrsc13]

also, forgot to add, while healing the first week or so  I broke a blood vessel on one side that was rehealing, and it swelled up to unbelieveable size, turning my arms and breast blue and black with bruisings, it even gave me a few new stretch marks around the suture site from the pressure (my skin is so unforgiving) so take it easy! When they say take it easy, they mean it! Just have patience that the swelling will go away, and don't make it worse, like I did by doing too much!

[mrsc13]

The pain and swelling WILL go away, it just takes time. I had mine done April 13th, and only in the last week has the swelling really subsided. I was quite upset for a while, becuase it had swollen so large it was as though I still had lots of breast tissue in there, but now it much better. Although I can still tell that inside my armpit itself is really swollen, the doctors say that in an area like our it can take around 6 months for all the swelling to go away and see the true result. Hang in there! I kinda wore a compression garment (just an ace bandage wrapped around my armpits, not very effective, always sliding and bunching if I breathed wrong) but you should be fine if you didn't, it's more for the early stages. It just takes time.  Everyone is different. I am not wearing tank tops yet, as my scars are still quite ugly and big (5 1/2 inches under each arm) and it is still quite tender, and I can't do much. It hurt a lot, but it is getting better and I am looking forward to my future!

[meeboh50]

Hi ppsyxhh, See a cosmetic surgeon. But look for a really competent one.  I had my surgery 12 days ago (left side only). It took 6 hrs right from reaching the hospital to discharge. The surgery itself lasted only an hour. I was completely fine once I got out of anesthesia and could have driven home but got someone to drive me back as the doctor insisted. I came home and was able to make dinner that night. I was back to work the next day and could drive comfortably. Now I'm only concerned with the scar as well as the swelling which my doc says will subside eventually. Hope so :) but am really glad I got it done. Now I can finally wear sleeve less and not feel awkward. I was also delighted that it was so simple, as I worried a lot before, about pain, recovery time, cost etc.  The pain killers were very effective, recovery time surprisingly quick and the cost affordable.

[meeboh50]

Hi, I had the surgery 12 days ago, but the area still looks very bulged and the scar black and awful.My doctor says its a swelling and will eventually go down. Has anyone faced this problem? How long does it take for the swelling to be gone? (if it is indeed only swelling, but am not convinced about that and am quite worried). Does one have to wear compression garments? What if I havent done that? Will the swelling stay for ever?

[chigrl85]

I understand what you mean by being the joke of the house...my family calls me hodgki (for hodgkins lymphoma) and make fun of me for being worried about it.  I've always joked that if I can change one thing about me it would be to have lipo on my armpits.  I'm getting married in a year and I don't want to have to pick a dress based on my fatty tissue armpits!