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3 mos post surgery, 79 yo HER2 pos discovered after blood tests indicted cancer in system. Immediate mamo and biopsies. Thanks for info.

October 12
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A MyBCTeam Member

Sometimes even if you insist to your surgeon that you want to go flat they will still leave some extra skin/tissue in your armpit area in case you change your mind about reconstruction. Some surgeons just don't believe that a woman wants to go flat.

I had a double mastectomy and did have reconstruction. My original plastic surgeon, who butchered me over the course of 4 surgeries, left these big fat blobs under both arms and left a couple of muscles in my chest disconnected on one side so I couldn't move my arms in a normal fashion. It hurt for me to rest my arms at my sides and would bruise the fat blobs. For almost 2 years I had to hold my arms up so they wouldn't rest on the fat blobs and hurt which was also tiring and painful to do, but less painful than having my arms at my sides. My 2nd reconstructive plastic surgeon was a miracle worker. It took 5 surgeries for him to reassemble me, but he got rid of the fat blobs, reattached my muscles so my arms functioned normally, and once I was done I looked normal when dressed.

It's really common with reconstructive surgeries to need additional surgery to have things tweaked or fixed. It also happens sometimes when women opt to go flat. Since the extra tissue under your arms is bothersome ask about having a revision surgery to get rid of that extra tissue so you're more comfortable and so you have a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing flat reconstruction. Good luck ❤️

October 16
A MyBCTeam Member

Thanks, no reconstruction (I did implants yrs ago, then removed them 3 yrs later). The tissue under my arm is soft and flabby, the left side tissue is more firm but like the right it too is swollen. Just looking for an “is this normal, 60-70 days post surgeries. Thanks for caring, and sending some info.

October 13
A MyBCTeam Member

Pam, are you planning on reconstruction later? Sometimes surgeons leave some "extra" to accomodate a second procedure. I did not want reconstruction, so had aesthetic flat closure, and there is no extra. Your surgeon should be able to check and let you know if everything is healing on track! Hugs!

October 12 (edited)
MyBCTeam

What does breast tissue look like after surgery, and is it normal to have "flabby" areas under the arm and above the scar line three months post-surgery?

After breast cancer surgery, it's very common for the breast and surrounding areas to look and feel quite different. The body goes through a lot of changes as it heals, and Show Full Answer

What does breast tissue look like after surgery, and is it normal to have "flabby" areas under the arm and above the scar line three months post-surgery?

After breast cancer surgery, it's very common for the breast and surrounding areas to look and feel quite different. The body goes through a lot of changes as it heals, and three months in, things are still settling.

Here's what's generally considered normal after surgery:

- Skin texture changes — skin may look rougher, thicker, or dimpled as the tissue heals
- Firmness or softness changes — scar tissue feels much denser than normal tissue
- Swelling — fluid can build up in areas where tissue was removed, causing puffiness or "flabby" feeling areas
- Skin discoloration — pinkish, reddish, or darker patches near the scar are part of normal healing
- Sensitivity or numbness — nerves regrow slowly, so crawling, itching, or numb sensations are common The "flabby" feeling under the arm where lymph nodes were removed could be related to fluid buildup (called a seroma) or swelling from lymph node removal. The more lymph nodes removed, the more noticeable this can be.

However, there are some signs worth watching for and reporting to your doctor promptly:

- Sudden new swelling or size changes
- Hot, discolored, or inflamed skin
- New lumps or thickening near the scar
- Unusual discharge or drainage
- Increased pain that doesn't improve

Since you're three months post-surgery and HER2 positive, keeping your care team closely informed about any new or changing areas is really important. It's always okay to reach out to them — no concern is too small! 💛

October 12

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