How Long Before Tissue Necrosis Heals After Breast Reduction?

asked 3 years ago by golfingknee in Ft.Wayne, IN
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 10,562 times
Tags: necrosis

I had a breast reduction done back in december and am pleased with the results other than one of my breasts is still open at the inverse T. It is still draining and bleeds fairly easily.

I have been using bactroban cream on the site for several weeks. My PS believes it may be fat necrosis. Just curious how long these types of things could take to heal, and if there are any other options to try and get the wound to heal quicker.

It is healing but EVER so slowly!

11 answers to How Long Before Tissue Necrosis Heals After Breast Reduction?

Tissue healing after breast reduction

Breast reduction surgery is physically very well tolerated with few incidents of complications in wound healing. However if you should experience a wound breakdown or a scar separation, discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. They will typically recommend wound care which will consist of changing dressings and removing dead or dry tissue. The amount of time it takes to heal these wounds depends on the size and depth of the wound. Although this is inconvenient, these... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Wound Healing after Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. This type of wound healing does occasionally occur after breast reduction surgery. How long it will take to heal depends on the size of the world and the status of the underlying tissue. This may be anywhere from a few weeks to an additional month. The important part of this process is close follow-up with your plastic surgeon, who may able to help with light debridement and/or removal of foreign body (such as suture). Best wishes. more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Tissue necrosis can take a few months to heal

Make sure your surgeon takes a close look at the wound to make sure nothing correctable is there - like a suture. Otherwise it can take weeks to months to close. Best Regards.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Secondary healing in breast reduction

Breakdown of the incision especialy at the "T" is fairly common after breast reduction surgery. When they drain, it may take a few weeks to possibly a few months to completely heal. This had to be followed carefully by your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Difficult to say without examining you

It is hard to know exactly what is happening without an exam, but in general things should have healed up by now. If indeed there is some fat necrosis present, you may need a repeat trip to the OR and possibly excision of this necrotic tissue-- this will probably give you the best chance at a speedy recovery.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tissue necrosis with breast reduction

I would agree that once the dead tissue is completely removed, your wounds should continue to heal. In the meantime, keep in close contact with your surgeon and notify her/him of any change in the quality of the drainage or any other associated symptoms. A pulsatile shower head may be a very effective method of cleansing the wound. While bactroban is an excellent antibiotic (bacterocidal), it can also slow the grow of healing wounds (cellulocidal) and once you do not need it, you should... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fat necrosis may take awhile to heal

If you developed fat necrosis after a breast reduction (devitalized tissue) which is still present in your breast, then it may take months for your body to metabolize the tissue and heal the area. If there is a significant area, then you may need another minor operation to debride the tissue or drain the area. This is best evaluated by your surgeon. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

You might need some debridement

The "T" is the fragile area for healing in a breast reduction. If yours separated, generally it should be totally healed by now. The fact that it is shrinking and bleeds easily are good signs but the rate of healing may indicate that some necrotic tissue is still present and may benefit from debridement to hasten the healing.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Can't answer, but...

The T is the most vulnerable area in general, due to tenuous blood supply. The length of time to heal depends on the extent of necrosis, size of the area, and your ability to heal (reduced with some diseases, and SMOKING!). Fat necrosis is another issue. Fat necrosis may resolve over time if it is small, or may leave hard lumps. If significant, your doctor may need to debride the fat necrosis to clear any infection and facilitate healing. Whatever you come up with, be sure your... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Persistent necrotic tissue

Wounds will heal more quickly once all the necrotic tissue is removed. If you have persistent areas of non-viability where the blood flow is compormised, then the removal of this tissue will speed up the healing process. Otherwise it is like trying to get vegetation to grow on infertile soil. Ask your surgeon if there is tissue that needs debridement or removal. Closure of an open wound usually begins in earnest about three weeks after injury and complete closure depends on the size and... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Could it also be a suture?

Four months is a long time for what sounds like a small area of non-healing. We tend to use Silvadene cream as our preferred treatment whn there is some tissue necrosis. It keeps the area clean and moist and promotes healing. I wonder whehther a permanent suture could be the cause of non-healing. You can easily find out from your surgeon. Fat necrosis is possible, although the areas of fat necrosis end up being very hard and do heal. Any pressure on the area from a bra that rides up will... more