Gangnam Accessory Breast Removal Surgery: Is Winter the Best Time? Exploring Methods and Scar Recovery

Gangnam Accessory Breast Removal Surgery: Is Winter the Best Time? Exploring Methods and Scar Recovery

Hello. I am Dr. Kim Ju-won, the head director of Melon Plastic Surgery, your breast specialist with solutions for beautiful breasts.

Today, we're talking about accessory breasts. Those who know will understand: accessory breasts are a significant concern.

This is because they can either enhance the breast line or make beautiful breasts look unattractive. Breasts look beautiful when they are in good balance with the body.

Simply put, the entire body line, including the breasts, looks most beautiful when it has rhythmic curves rather than being bumpy. Enhancing a naturally beautiful body line without overdoing it is also an important role of breast augmentation.

This is where accessory breasts come in. I often hear reviews like, ‘I worked hard to get beautiful breasts, but the accessory breasts in my armpits sagged, so I couldn't wear a tank top,’ or conversely, ‘I had surgery for a smaller size than I initially thought, based on the doctor's recommendation, and the bikini line from my arm to my breast was smooth without accessory breasts, making my breasts look even more prominent.’

As such, the presence or absence of accessory breasts can lead to different results. It's a concern for many, but accessory breasts are often mistaken for armpit fat – let's discuss them now.

‘My armpit fat won't go away with exercise or diet. Could it be accessory breasts?’‘If it's an accessory breast, should I have surgery?’

Let's look at everything from why accessory breasts occur to removal methods and the recovery process. If you're wondering how to lose armpit fat, pay attention.

Accessory Breast Removal Surgery | What are Accessory Breasts? Causes and How to Identify Them

What are accessory breasts? Are they breasts? Or are they armpit fat called accessory breasts because they are next to the breast?

First, accessory breasts refer to mammary gland tissue that develops in a location different from normal breasts.

Humans are born with a mammary line extending from the armpit to the thigh, and this mammary gland tissue degenerates with age. However, there are cases where degeneration is incomplete, and some tissue remains. This is an accessory breast.

Second, they are called accessory breasts not because they are next to the breast, but because they are ‘similar’ to breasts.

Third, accessory breasts are not armpit fat.

Although they may look like a lump of fat on the surface, many cases reveal both mammary gland tissue and fat cells. If the skin on the front of your armpit folds or bulges when you wear a bra, you might suspect the possibility of accessory breasts.

They mainly occur in the armpit but can sometimes appear on the thigh (femoral region). If you have accessory breasts, friction with clothes or skin can cause discomfort due to sweat in the summer.

The line from the arm to the breast can also appear bumpy, affecting how clothes fit. If armpit fat doesn't disappear despite diligent exercise and dieting, you can check for accessory breasts with an ultrasound examination.

If accessory breasts cause discomfort when touched or when moving your arm, considering surgical removal is an option.

Accessory Breast Removal Surgery | Surgical Methods and Procedure

‘Isn't liposuction enough?’‘Does the surgical method change if there's mammary gland tissue?’

As mentioned earlier, many cases of accessory breasts include mammary gland tissue.

Therefore, accessory breast removal surgery begins with identifying the tissue. For this, an ultrasound examination is performed before surgery to check for the presence and extent of mammary gland tissue.

There are several types of accessory breasts: fatty type with almost no fat, glandular type where mammary gland tissue is predominantly distributed, and mixed type with both fat and mammary gland tissue. The more glandular the type, the more likely you are to experience pain and a hardened sensation during hormonal changes like menstruation.

Sometimes, people ask if only liposuction is needed for accessory breast surgery, but the armpit area where accessory breasts are located is also where lymph nodes and sensory nerves pass, so careful consideration is necessary. Sufficient diagnosis and planning are needed before surgery, but a conservative and precise approach is essential.

Accessory Breast Removal Surgery | Who Needs Surgery, and When to Have It

If you have accessory breasts, do you always need surgery? No. In fact, if there's no discomfort in your body and daily life, surgery is not necessary. Of course, there are cases where surgery is needed.

These include glandular and mixed-type accessory breasts that contain mammary gland tissue. If you've experienced painful discomfort, hardening of the breast, or excessive swelling during menstruation, pregnancy, or lactation, you might consider surgery. Although not common, inflammation can also be a reason to consider surgery.

If mammary gland tissue is present, mastitis can occur during pregnancy or lactation. If the accessory breast is large and sags or protrudes, there can be friction with the surrounding skin and clothing. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary because irritation occurs continuously.

Let's summarize who might need surgery:

• If armpit fat protrudes outside the bra, causing severe friction with surrounding skin.

• If breast pain is severe, or breasts harden and swell excessively during menstruation, pregnancy, or lactation.

• If mastitis occurs during pregnancy or lactation.

• If there is severe asymmetry in both lines or significant cosmetic stress.

I believe the best time for surgery is when you can secure enough recovery time and feel the greatest need for the surgery. Winter is often said to be a good time for surgery because it offers environmental advantages. These include less sweat, making scar management easier, and long, thick clothing that can conceal the surgery.

Sometimes, certain characteristics of a season can make post-operative care easier. However, the center of the decision should always be ‘yourself’. Please remember that the comfortable season for you and your perceived need are most important.

Accessory Breast Removal Surgery | Post-operative Pain Management, Scars, and Recovery Care

The armpit is one of the busiest parts of the body. It moves a lot, so it's a frequently folded area. Therefore, careful management is needed.

A compression bra may be worn to help the operated tissue recover stably, and pain control may be necessary if the pain is severe. The recovery of elasticity also needs to be considered because the area where tissue was removed may show temporary loss of elasticity.

It is important to recover the operated skin and tissue through systematic management by a medical institution. The first step to resolving accessory breast concerns would be to identify what type of accessory breast you have.

At Melon Plastic Surgery, from confirming if accessory breast removal surgery is possible to performing surgery tailored to the characteristics of the accessory breast, and even post-operative recovery care, I, as your primary doctor, personally oversee everything. So, if you're concerned about accessory breasts, please don't hesitate to talk to me. I will be with you to provide solutions that create a smooth upper body line.

Thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an accessory breast?

An accessory breast refers to mammary gland tissue that develops in a location different from the normal breast. It is residual mammary gland tissue that did not degenerate during fetal development, and it is different from the visible armpit fat.

Is accessory breast surgery always necessary?

No, surgery is not necessary if there is no discomfort to your body or daily life. However, if it includes mammary gland tissue and causes significant pain, inflammation, or cosmetic stress, surgery may be considered.

When is the best time for accessory breast removal surgery?

Winter can be advantageous due to environmental factors. Many people prefer it because less sweating makes scar management easier, and thicker clothing helps conceal the fact of surgery.

How do I manage scars after accessory breast surgery?

After surgery, wearing a compression bra may be necessary, and if pain is severe, pain control is important. It is crucial to aid the stable recovery of the operated skin and tissue through systematic management by a medical institution.

Can an accessory breast be removed by liposuction alone?

No, accessory breasts often contain mammary gland tissue, so liposuction alone may not be sufficient. Before surgery, an ultrasound examination should be performed to confirm the presence and extent of mammary gland tissue, and an appropriate method should be determined based on this.