Nipple: Infection/Necrosis, Fat Necrosis, or Normal? 4 Weeks Post BR (photo)

Hi ericake2001, am glad to hear that you are healing well. I experienced the same infection when i had my BR surgery about a year ago, unfortunately for me, my PS was negligent and i lost my right nipple. I was rushed into hospital after suffering from unbearable pain, fever and short breathe, i was handled by a new surgeon who dealt with the problem very unprofessionally. I was in hospital for 7 days, was medicated heavily with antibiotics, i had debridement done 3 times to remove dead tissues from both my breast. my right nipple did not survive, and i still have to undergo a reconstruction surgery to even out my breast and hopefully get a new nipple....

I am glad the doc checked you out and gave you good news. Happy healing!!

Ok. Good news! He checked me out today and it is just fat necrosis. He is still quite optimistic for a full recovery and normal nipple in several weeks. He took tweezer and scalpel type tools and 'filleted' off the black and thick areas from the nipple/areola surface, and exposed healthy, but not fully healed, nipple tissue beneath! He's having me treat the area by keeping it slathered with triple antibiotic ointment, frequent dressing changes (I'm using nursing pads, but he said any gauze or panty liners would work) and occasional irrigation with hydrogen peroxide if needed. I see him again in a few weeks for another follow up. There is quite a bit of healing to happen yet, and recessed areas that need to fill in with new, healthy tissue, but he told me the only thing I should worry about is to just 'stay pretty' until the next visit. :) All of the smelly goo was simply liquified fat, and he expects that more will show up, but it's ok. I'm not thrilled with it, but I sure am relieved that it's not tissue necrosis and the nipple area isn't in danger! I was really starting to freak out! Either way, I'm glad I went in to have it checked! Now I need to be patient and keep an eye on it for a few weeks. It's much easier to heal when all energy isn't being wasted on worry! Thanks datgyrl95 for your comment and reassuring words also! I'll try to update again after my next appointment. One thing I've wondered is: how many women have the same problem, but perhaps are too embarrased to ask about it? I hope that at least one person can benefit and find some reassurance from this. :)

Hello, I am dealing with fat necrosis as well. I discovered mines 12/15/12 10 days after my BR. This is a possile complication of large reductions. Some of the fat in the breast died as a result of trauma or surgery, it can happen anywhere in the body there is a lot of fat like tummy tucks too. Mines occured in the incisions under the breast. My breast were red, had yellow greasy discharge, fever and a small opening under right breast. Drainage was not foul but smelled funny, actually I am the only one who noticed it, everyone else smelled nothing. I cried & packed my bags, notified the office and headed to the ER, I spent 4 days in the hospital and my doc treated me with strong IV antibiotics and dressing changes 2 xday. My doc said I did not need surgery and it will dry up on its own. I am taking 2 antibiotics at home and seeing a a lot of improvement. The left side has stopped and the right has slowed but still draining. That fat has to come out, it will find an opening some where to drain. It will get better in time, most of these cases resolve on there own. My breast are healing well, my doc told me to cont keep elbows down and at side, and eat lots of protein for wound healing. So hang in there and don't hesitate to report your concerns to your doc. I wish you all the best.

The first two PS responses had me feeling ok, but that last one freaked me out, so I called my own PS today. He'll see me tomorrow 12/27, to examine for necrosis and infection. I'll try to get on here afterward with an update.