Mastectomy bulges under arms

BShoemaker

I have recently had my bi-lateral mastectomy and unfortunately have a large bulge, the size of a baseball almost under each arm.  I am heavy so the rolls under my arms are left where the breast ended.  This is a question for probably the heavier gals that also under went the same issue after their mastectomy without reconstruction and were left with these big bulges.  I am finding mine to be very uncomfortable and can't imagine wearing a bra with a prosthesis.  What did you do?  Did you see a plastic surgeon for revisions?  Did you try to lose weight?  Looking for any advice or answers on what your surgeons may have done to help the situation.

 Thanks!

keno41

I too, have those bulges  and I'm not heavy. I'm 8 weeks out and they do seem have gotten smaller so it might have been some swelling.. They are really annoying me! I figured that I may have to see the plastic surgeon about them. My husband calls them my side boobs! 

celia088

I had a right mastectomy and had a small bulge under my right arm.  Those bulges are called "dog ears".  I was told by my plastic surgeon that after my implant surgery, when it was time to exchange the tissue expander for the real implant, he would do a revision on the bulge and reduce it.  I had the implant surgery to get the expander but because i had a bunch of problems with it (missing stitch, infection, seroma), the expander had to be removed.  I never had the revision surgery.  He told me if i lost weight the bulge would probably disappear.  A couple of years later i managed to lose 65 lbs and that "dog ear" bulge still remains and is the exact same size!  I think that revision surgery is the best way to get rid of it.

keno41

Unfortunately, I'm not having reconstruction, so if they don't go away, I'll have to see the plastic surgeon.:(

lassie11

I think my bulge (the one after the extra layers of just me) is a seroma - fluid that fills up the space where the breast used to be. The MRI checking my remaining boob showed that there is a seroma.  I have an appointment to see the surgeon after radiation is done to see about having it drained. It would be excellent if that's all there is to it. At this point, it's OK to dream isn't it?

celia088

I was told by the surgeon that there would be quite a bit of swelling after the mastectomy and to not get fitted for a prosthesis for at least 2 months to allow the swelling to go down.  I did have quite a bit of swelling, however, my "dog ear" didn't get smaller. 

Keno, the revision surgery is pretty easy from what i have heard and read, nothing at all like the mastectomy surgery.  Sometimes the surgeon uses liposuction also to reduce the "dog ear".  I also have a ridge of extra skin along my incision because i had a skin sparing mastectomy to accomodate the expander.  I should have a revision surgery because my prosthesis presses against it and it is bothersome.

Lassie, my seroma had an opening in my incision and it would flow out of that hole but i had so much fluid and it wa so tight that it really hurt me. Eventually the seroma got infected (because of the hole, I guess), so make sure that if it starts to hurt, get in to see the surgeon and have it drained.

chainsawz

I did some research before my bilateral mastectomy and asked my surgeon to be sure she did not leave "dog ears" since I was not having reconstruction.  Instead my bulge is further back where my drains were - I called them my blow holes.  I was told I would have to see a plastic surgeon to get those reduced.....darned!  My surgery was last August and they have not gotten smaller, so I am saving my pennies because when I am NED I am running for lipo!!  Good luck to you!!  lisa

Catrenae

I had a bilateral mastectomy at the end of May and I too have the "dog ears" or as my BS calls them "my bubbles." They are both pretty large, but the one on the right side is bigger than the left (maybe because that's the side I had the radical mast.)  

I do wear a bra w/ prosthesis because I can't have reconstruction until after the first of the year. If you get measured correctly they will account for the "mass" and your bras should fit comfortably. I wear mine all day, well at least at work, and for the most part the bras are fine. Occasionally you may have to adjust the band if it starts "pinching" either side, but that's the only "problem" I've run into.

My BS did tell me that if I decided against reconstruction, she could remove my "bubbles." (I am going to have reconstruction but it was nice of her to let me know.) If they are true "dog ears," and not swelling, they don't go away on their on.

  

BShoemaker

Well, I met with a plastic surgeon yesterday and he advised it would be a simple procedure to remove the bulges.  he would use the original scar line from the mastectomy and and cut the bulges off & sew it up to match the original scar.  The surgery would last approx. 1- 1 1/2 hours and I would get a drain in on both sides.  The drain would remain in for about 5-7 days.  I would be ready to go back to work in about 2 weeks...possibly 3.  I can't do it until I finish treatment, but the good news is, it's all covered as a breast cancer surgery under insurance.

If anyone has gone through this procedure, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks....

keno41

Well, that settles it. I'll have to live with the bulges because I don't ever want to have drains again. I thought they were the worst part of the surgery!

dswope

Can somebody explain to me WHY they leave the "dog ears" there?  With all we have to go through, you'd think they'd realize we like to have at least one less ugly reminder.  How much more work would it take to cut just a little further back to remove that extra skin?  Am I missing something?  Is there a medical reason?

jenn3

I thought I was the only one - those "dog ears" are awful.  I was just looking at mine this morning thinking I can't wait until recon to get rid of the damn things................but I'm still at least a year out. 

kbram

I, also am planning to have this surgery.  BUT, I am not looking forward to the drains.  I have not had anybody explain to me why mastectomies are done this way but would love to know.  I'll have to remember to ask my dr next time.  I had these areas lipoed during exchange and thought that would take care of it. NOT!!  Definitely not looking forward to more stitches and drains!!  AWWWWW!!

Kathy

barbergirl

I had double masectomy on Oct 6, I too have dog ears, I was small breasted and normal weight

However I am going to physical therapy to get my range of motion back and she massages them and under my arms and my scars, it actully feels good. and twice a day my husband does it for me. i think they have gone down, but not away.

I will be having DIEP Dec 12, and I am told they will be gone after that. I will let you know then

janb

Hi All --I had bi-lat mast June 2009 no reconstruction. I have the dog ears my surgeon said if he had removed all the extra tissue at time of surgery my incisions would have had to go further onto my back. GO FIGURE I had said from start no reconstruction but no one ever told me about this dog ear thing. I HATE THEM... My surgeon said I would have to wait a year to have them removed..MY year came and then he scared the p---- out of me , said he would remove them with another surgery in the hospital ,about and 1 1/2 hr surgery, go home same day ,incisions would go from under my arms onto my back I would have drains again and tissue  (I call it FAT)would be sent for biopsy!!!!! This really scared me I called a plastic surgeon and he said no big deal would do in office in their surgery room no drains no biopsy.So now what-- I posted but no one seemed to have heard of the drains until on this forum.Then I talked to my onc he said he thought the surgeon was being cautious with biopsy and that if done should be done in hospital ,not impressed with plastic surgeon approach. But if they did'nt bother me why have it done.so this all took place in the summer I still have them--but not happy ..I'm really interested also to see what other people have had done.. Janet

BMac

I too have the dog ears.  They're the worst part.  So many clothes look bad because of the bulges.  I am a small person.  I would rather have bigger scars than bulges.  If I don't have recon I'm stuck with them.  My problem is I have lymphedema and the lady I go to for Manual Lymphatic Drainage is cautioning me about surgery.

I agree, we've been through so much, why leave these unsightly bulges for us to contend with.

mumito

I only have the bulge on one side the other armpit is fine.

Erica3681

BMac,

It's not true that you're stuck with the dog ears unless you have reconstruction. You can have a surgical procedure to remove them (much less invasive than reconstruction, probably done by a breast surgeon, or possibly by a plastic surgeon). Your scars probably will be extended, but the appearance and comfort will be much better. I agree that the lymphedema is a concern, though occasionally lymphedema can be improved, since it's possible that there's scar tissue around those dog ears that's blocking lymph flow.

I had a non-skin sparing bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction and asked my breast surgeon for the most cosmetically pleasing result possible. My scars do extend to about halfway under my arms but, after three years, are virtually invisible and I have no dog ears. Even though your surgeon didn't accomplish that the first time around, it can be absolutely be fixed without reconstruction.

Barbara

coonie

I have dog ears too! Good thing I like dogs so much

BShoemaker

Keno41 - I agree...when the surgeon mentioned the drains my heart sunk.  The drains were the worst part for me as well.  My issue at this point is that I'm 6 weeks out of the mastectomy and I can't sleep on my side at all because of these damn dog ears.  I can't sleep on my stomach because my chest is still sensitive.  I have to sleep on my back every night and I HATE it.  I may be willing to go through the surgery and have drains in for a week of misery rather than a life time of living with these stupid things.  My dad is pushing me to work on losing weight to see if that helps rather than the surgery, but it seems from the responses whether you are heavy or thin, most women have been left with these things.  So annoying...why not have the plastic surgeon finish the original operation by removing these things if the breast surgeon won't do it during a mastectomy. 

Ok...I'm done ranting for now. 

roseg

I am not overweight and small chested and still have a little bulge on the mastectomy side. For the most part it's not a big problem. It was more noticable immediately after my surgery and has improved over the years, particularly as I regained my range of motion. But it's not gone.

I stay away from bras that are cut low at the sides so the skin is inclosed in the bra and it seems to work out for me. My whole breast cancer surgery experience has left me a lot more aware of bras and how different ones are constructed!

It's most noticable in the summer. I think if you look at yourself and that reminds you of it that it would be worth a small surgery to get rid of them.

Lovegolf

I had surgery 10/28 to fix my dog ears.  I had bilat. Mx 5/1 and the roles on both side, but right more so, were in the way.  Everytime I moved my arm in hurt and keep me from doing normal things.  I am sore at the moment, but can already move my arms better.  PS cut away the roll under the incision from the Mx and then lypoed under my arms too.  I am so glad I had this done.  I am not sure why they do not do it as part of Mx...maybe thought I would change my mind and want reconstruction.

kbram

Lovegolf....did you have drains after surgery on the dog ears?

Kathy

spar2

I too had the baseball size lump under my rt arm, I can remember being so angry and frustrated, it ended up I had another lump come up and had to have the mastectomy redone and while the surgeon was at it he removed the lump.  but the dog ears were done when I had reconstruction which was 3 years after the mastectomy.  The surgeon removes the breast and cancer and I guess its up to the plastic surgeon to make it pretty. 

Sher

I had bilateral masts July 08 and have large amounts of excess tissue on both ends of incisions, especially on prophylactic side.  Actually, my chest looks very different from one side to the other - like there were 2 different surgeons doing 2 different procedures.  My "breast" surgeon did have someone assisting so I wouldn't have to be under anesthesia so long, but in my mind that actually meant "assisting" and not each of them working on their own breast.  Of course, the surgeon wouldn't admit to that and I was told that it was because I had radiation on one side and that affected the outcome or look of the mastectomy.  She also offered some cockamamey excuse that the worry is to remove too much tissue so the skin is too tight, so they leave excess.  It was made very clear to the surgeon that I did not want reconstruction or any further surgery.  From all I've read on this site, many/most surgeons leave dog ears whether or not reconstruction is planned, so it seems to me to be more of an insurance or procedure issue.  Maybe the excess tissue, since not exactly breast tissue is something that falls under what a plastic surgeon would need to do.  A good way of generating more income, right?  Seems logical to me to have a plastic surgeon assist and do it all at once!  I had a one year follow-up appointment with the surgeon which I canceled because I'm tired of telling her how unhappy I am with the way I look.  I've thought of filing a complaint, but what good would that do really?  Every doctor that sees my chest asks "who did your surgery"?  I can see what they are thinking.

Erica3681

I'm sorry you've had these problems. Although the most important thing in a mastectomy is to remove as much breast tissue as possible, a good breast surgeon should be very practiced at knowing how much skin to remove to get a cosmetically pleasing result and how to avoid big dog ears and/or large lumps under the arms. It should NOT be necessary to have a plastic surgeon pretty things up. However, I agree that many women here do complain about less-than-optimal results, so I guess a number of breast surgeons either don't possess the requisite skills or don't bother trying to get the best possible esthetic result.

The good news is that a plastic surgeon can make things look and feel better. As for drains, although they are uncomfortable, they're a very temporary part of the procedure. For me, anyway, it would be worth a week or two, or even three weeks of drains to get a long-term good result.

smithlme

I had scar revision 17 days ago and what a difference. I never knew I would be so happy to be flat. Short story is I had my first diagnosis and a mastectomy, followed by a failed TRAM, followed by a second diagnosis with a new primary and a second mastectomy. Understatement of the century...I was unhappy with my lumpy, bumpy, fatty mess. I, too had the extra fat under my left arm, but the dog ears were on my abdomen.

My PS revised my entire chest and abdomen in a three hour surgery and it was so worth it. Plus, NO DRAINS anywhere! I was advised to walk hunched over for two weeks, sleep at a 45 degree angle with pillows under my knees, keep the steri-strips on, not to lift over 5 pounds and not to raise my arms over my head. I have followed her instructions to the letter. She removed the two binders 5 days after surgery and I could see a huge difference. I saw her this past Thursday and she changed out the steri-strips and the results are amazing. The scars are thin, the fat under my arm is gone and smooth and my stomach is no longer shaped like an alien head! After 6 surgeries, I can finally say I am done! I love my new flat self. After all that cancer has taken away from me, I have a rockin' shape! It's amazing how my priorities have changed...

Linda

Anonymous

Oh, do I know what doggy ears are.  I  complained about them right after surgery.  I kept feeling this "fat" and didn't know what to call it.  Also, the feeling in the armpit never came back.  The problem is I have LE and I don't think more surgery would be wise.  Drains?  I hated those darned things. 

judimac

I had the same problems sleeping for a few months but am fine now, 3 months after my mastectomy. Give yourself more time-my discomfort sleeping was the worst after 6-8 weeks, and then I was OK. I had stopped using pain pills and was impatient to be healed but I needed more time.

   Good luck--I have a dog ear, too but it is not extra-sensitive any longer. 

BMac

Barbara, thank you for your reply.  You've given me hope!  I'll speak to my surgeon the next time I see him.  That's interesting about the nodes possibly being blocked.  No one's ever mentioned that before.  I faithfully perform MLD daily and do my exercises and it's under control and almost unnoticeable.

I wouldn't balk at drains again.  Mine were taken out too early and I develped seromas on both sides.  I've often wondered if that contributed to the lymphedema.

JANET_FROM_PA

My baseball size bulge after mastectomy was about half fluid and half just me.  Hurt a lot and PS told me not to massage it.  My lymphadema nurse said to massage it.  I massaged it and felt so much better.  Unfortunately, the fat remains and my PS won't adjust as it was there to begin with and so would be considered cosmetic.  If you have any adjustments done, a nice PS would fix it for you.