BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS
*DISCLAIMER: This site contains graphic & surgical images that may be disturbing to some viewers.
This site is intended for individuals over the age of 18.
**Please note that none of the images posted throughout this site have been enhanced or photoshopped.
Axillary Breasts
What is an axillary breast?
The breast develops along a “milk line,” that extends from the axilla (arm pit area) to the groin. This milk line is present as the embryo develops into a fetus and then into a new born. A breast, and or nipple, can develop anywhere along this milk line.
In the vast majority of women and men, the breast and nipple develop normally in their correct location.
If a congenital abnormality occurs, an aberrant (abnormally located breast) can develop anywhere along the milk line. The breast can be just a small swelling or a full breast with a nipple.
The most common location for an aberrant breast is the axilla.
The axillary breast may be a subtle swelling in the front of the axilla, or, may be a fairly large fullness with skin redundancy, with or without a nipple remnant or full nipple.
The axillary breast may often respond in the same way as normal breast would, to the changes produced by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and breast feeding.
The same can occur with an aberrant nipple along the milk line. It may appear as a small mole like projection called an accessory nipple, or, it may appear as a full nipple.
The most common location for an accessory nipple is along the upper rib cage or the lower pole of the breast.
I have large breasts. Can the axillary breast be treated at the same time as a breast reduction?
Axillary breasts can be removed at the same time as other breast procedures including, breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction surgery.
The axillary breasts can also be removed as a separate procedure which does not disturb the patient’s natural breast.
Often with a very large breast, the fat and breast tissue extends into the flank and axilla. This is not an axillary breast but an extension of the natural large breast combined with axillary fat. This is not removed in a breast reduction procedure. There may be an option to have this tissue removed using a liposuction technique. This could be done at the same time as the breast reduction surgery. This liposuction is an option which is not covered by Alberta Health Services.
OPERATION:
If the size of the axillary mass is small to medium, then surgery can be done under local anaesthesia with or without sedation. If the axillary breast is large, then general anaesthesia is recommended.
The tissue to be removed will consist of skin, fat and breast tissue.
If there is an excess amount of skin, an incision is made in the armpit area, with an effort to avoid crossing into the upper lateral part of the natural breast. This will hide the scar in the natural creases of the axilla. A varying amount of excess skin will be removed along with excess fat and breast tissue. The tissue is sent for pathological examination to rule out breast disease.
If there is no excess skin, and only fat and breast tissue, then a similar hidden incision is made and excess fat and breast tissue is removed.
If the bulging area is only fat tissue with no excess skin or underlying breast tissue, then a liposuction technique is used to remove this excess fat. This can be done at the same time as breast reduction surgery is performed.
RISKS:
With any surgery there are surgical and anesthetic risks.
Aside from the rare risks of an anesthetic event, some of the general and specific surgical risks for
this procedure would include:
Scarring if there was excess skin that required removal
Infection
Sensation change to the axilla
Discomfort,
Time off work and exercise
Asymmetry
Bleeding (hematoma):
if you take blood thinning medication, this must be stopped at least one week prior to surgery and one week after surgery
*This list is not complete.
During the consultation with the patient, Dr. Giuffre will outline and explain each of the risks in detail.
THE FOLLOWUP:
How often do I need to come back for a checkup after the surgery?
Postoperative visits include:
a 24 hour visit
a 1 week post op visit
a 6 week visit in the office to review the preoperative photograph and the surgical result.
The patient is allowed to shower the following day. Aggressive sports activity should be avoided for 6 weeks.
If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access.
After the 6 week visit, if there are any future requests for an appointment, they are made directly with Dr. Giuffre’s office and an expedited visit is arranged.
FINANCING:
Will AHS (Alberta Health Services) cover Axillary breast surgery?
Axillary breast surgery in combination with breast surgery for breast reconstruction following breast cancer is covered by Alberta Health Services. Axillary breast surgery to improve breast cosmesis is not covered by Alberta Health Services.
Can I finance the costs of the surgery? How do I do this?
Dr. Giuffre does not provide in house financing for cosmetic procedures.
There are a number of companies across Canada that will finance cosmetic surgery not much different than car financing or mortgages. Please refer to the links provided on the Home Page for this information. Dr. Giuffre has no financial or business relationship or affiliation with any of these companies.