Bulge under arm after skin sparing mastectomy

I had a skin sparing masectomy, and have a bulge in my underarm area. It is called a, " dog ear". You can have them across your breast scar, as well. Women who have large breasts, and body fat will have more of a problem with this. My surgical nurse said I can get a breast reconstruction plastic surgeon to reduce the appearance. My dog ear is not that bad, so I am leaving it. But, there is help.

I don't think that mine is a dog ear as it's neither fat nor skin.It's basically the muscle which has been brought forward from the back ,passing through my arm pit and then going into breast for reconstruction.I hope this muscle reduces with the passage of time

I have the same thing. I thought it was because I’ve had four surgeries and it was scar tissue. It’s not very big but it looks strange. I always mean to ask but it gets put to the side with other more concerning issues. Thanks for the information @colely.

Hi, just saw your post, I have this issue too and it is really annoying me. I had it done November 2023 and it seems like there are 2 ways to put in the muscle. One way can cause the buldge and the other way is more flat. I went to another hospital and the surgeon told me they usually place the muscle more to the front and it was done unusually so, i’m guessing the bulge way, he was not too impressed. He said that the implant had also moved slightly. So both surgeons in both hospitals have said they will move the implant but I want that bulge gone too as it’s annoying and in the cleavage area it has caved in due to the implant moving and the muscle not over far enough.. I’m hoping my insurance covers this as it is not my fault, the hospital hopefully will cover it as deformed and fix the bulge along with it.

Hi @rida @colely @jaynep @libby44
I’m hoping that you’ve all recovered well from your LD flap surgery and BC free. I recently had this type of reconstruction due to radiated breasts and pre-existing blood disorder condition. I’m home recovering now going on my 4th week since the operation and will undergo PT this week. I’m curious if this tightness (digging around the chest) and underarm bulge will eventually go away. I know that my PS said that there will be more work after 3-4 months of healing but definitely the way I swing my arms when walking feels very uncomfortable and look stiff. The tightness and digging pain is mostly unbearable and don’t want to be on pain meds all the time. I’m hoping for good news. 🙏

@jj&oann. Hello. I didn't have your type of surgery. I had flat closure, so I can't be as explicit as others can be. But I can tell you that P.T. will do wonders. You just have to work every day at it. I have to do stretches several times a week 5 years later for the scar tissue to stay stretched out. But everyone should do a little stretching, occasionally. To work on a specific area, there is O.T. The O.T.s are hands on women who can do massage, laser treatments, etc. Then there is your plastic surgeon you can go back and see in 6 to 12 months with any concerns. As always, you must advocate for yourself. You can go to P.T off and on for several years. You might have to ask to see an O.T. I had to. Best wishes for a good healing. Coley.

I also had flat closure with my BM and have bulges under both arms. At first, my oncologist said it was "scar tissue" as I am prone to develop this with any surgery. And I felt a lump there under my right arm.
However almost 5 months out, the lump has disappeared. The bulges have not. I have no reason to see my plastic surgeon again as I opt out of implants. And I certainly do not want another surgery to "correct" this, if in fact, it can be corrected. But it is annoying and hard to get use to. At my age, 70, I am now simply blaming the bulges on "back fat" I had. And it is what it is. I have been very consistent with my exercising...that has not helped the bulges to go down. I will continue my exercising and hope for the best - I am not even at the 6 month mark yet.
But I hear everyone loud and clear about this issue. It's annoying for fit with mastectomy bras and swimsuits.
I feel that exercising is the key here to keep the scar tissue "stretched out" as @jjoann point out.
Best wishes to all on your journey!