Body
Accessory breast removal in Korea
Accessory breast removal takes out extra breast tissue and fat that make a bulge in the armpit, using liposuction, an excision or both. It suits a bulge that bothers you or swells and aches with periods, once a doctor has checked it. Our partner clinic operates under sedation, with daily life right away; stay about 7 nights in Seoul.
Who is a good candidate for accessory breast removal?
- A soft or firm bulge sits in or in front of the armpit and still shows without a bra
- It swells or aches around your period, or grew during pregnancy
- It rubs on clothes or makes it less comfortable to move your arm
- A doctor has examined the lump and found extra breast tissue, fat or both
When it may not be the right choice
- A lump in the armpit that has not been examined yet. Extra breast tissue can develop the same conditions as the breast, including cancer, so a new or changing lump needs a doctor first
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, when the tissue swells and changes. Ask the surgeon when to plan surgery
- The fullness is only arm fat near the armpit. Arm liposuction may then fit better
Which method fits you?
The clinic says accessory breast tissue, called axillary breast tissue when it sits in the armpit, forms along the milk line, which runs from the armpit down toward the groin, and sorts it into three types: fatty, mixed and glandular. It says the gland tissue has to be removed completely to keep it from coming back, so the method follows the type. A review of treatment options agrees in part: liposuction works for fat but is not enough for gland tissue, and cutting tissue out leaves a scar.
| Method | What happens | Suits | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liposuction (fatty type) | Fat in the armpit is suctioned through a small cut. | A bulge made mostly of fat | A small scar; daily life right away, per the clinic |
| Excision (glandular type) | The breast gland is cut out through an incision in the armpit. | Firm tissue that changes with periods | A longer scar; ask how long and where it will sit |
| Liposuction with excision (mixed type) | Fat is suctioned and the remaining glandular part is removed in the same session. | A bulge of both fat and breast gland | Healing of both the small cut and the incision |
What happens on the day of accessory breast removal?
- Consultation. The surgeon examines the armpit with your arm raised and lowered, asks how it changes with your periods, and may arrange an ultrasound to see how much is gland and how much is fat.
- Sedation, as listed by the clinic, so you are drowsy and comfortable during the operation.
- Fat is removed by liposuction and glandular tissue is cut out as needed, then the cuts are closed.
- A dressing is applied to the armpits, and the clinic lists no drain.
What is recovery like after accessory breast removal?
- Days 1 to 3
- The armpits are sore and bruised, and raising your arms feels tight. Keep arm movements gentle.
- First week
- The clinic lists daily life right away. Its aftercare notes ask you to sleep with your upper body raised for about a week.
- About 1 week
- A check at the clinic about 1 week after surgery.
- Weeks 1 to 4
- The clinic’s aftercare notes advise avoiding hard exercise for about 3 weeks, and alcohol and smoking for at least a month.
- Months 1 to 6
- Firmness and swelling settle, and the scar fades gradually.
How long should you stay in Seoul after accessory breast removal?
Plan about 7 nights in Seoul so the armpit check at about 1 week happens before you fly, while the wounds are still tender. Ask whether your stitches dissolve or need taking out, and when, so that visit also fits before the flight. Lifting a heavy suitcase strains sore armpits, so get help with your bags. If you become breathless or have chest pain, get emergency care first, then tell the clinic.
What are the risks of accessory breast removal?
- A scar in or near the armpit, larger when the gland is cut out
- Fluid or blood collecting under the skin (seroma, hematoma)
- Dents or an uneven contour in the armpit
- Tissue left behind that keeps a bulge or grows again, especially gland tissue
- Pain, numbness or changes in skin feeling around the armpit
- Infection and the risks of sedation
What affects the cost of accessory breast removal in Korea?
An accessory breast removal quote depends on whether liposuction, excision or both are needed, whether one or both sides are treated, whether an ultrasound is included, and the sedation. No price is shown here, as it depends on what the examination finds. A patient coordinator answers first, then the surgeon at the partner clinic that fits your case reviews your photos and consults in depth. Have the method for each armpit and the date of the check-up written down. Our consultation is free for you, and you pay only the clinic’s own price for treatment.
More questions
Is accessory breast tissue the same as armpit fat?
Not always. Some bulges are mostly fat, some are mostly breast gland, and many are a mix. Fat can be removed by liposuction, while gland tissue usually has to be cut out, so the surgeon checks which you have.
Can accessory breast tissue come back after removal?
The clinic says gland tissue must be removed completely to keep it from coming back. Weight gain can also enlarge the fat that remains. Ask the surgeon how the method chosen for you deals with it.
Should a lump in my armpit be checked first?
Yes. Accessory breast tissue can develop the same conditions as the breast, from inflammation to cancer, and an armpit lump can have other causes too. See a doctor about any new or changing lump before planning cosmetic surgery.
Why does the armpit swell during my period?
Accessory breast tissue responds to the same hormones as the breast, so it can swell and feel tender with periods and during pregnancy.
Related procedures
Sources
- Clinic figures as published by Urban Plastic Surgery, collected October 3, 2026. Your surgeon confirms your own plan.
- Accessory Breast Tissue. PubMed Central, US National Library of Medicine
- Treatment Options for the Clinical Management of Axillary Breast Tissue. PubMed Central, US National Library of Medicine
- Tumors arising from an axillary accessory breast: a 10-year retrospective cohort study at a single center. PubMed Central, US National Library of Medicine
Cases and clinic figures come from our partner clinic, Urban Plastic Surgery. The partnership does not change what we publish about risks and recovery.