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Does Post-op Fat Necrosis of Breast Tissue Usually Resolve?

I am three months post-op from anchor lift/implants. I had a negative mammogram one month prior to surgery. I now have two areas of probable fat necrosis per ultrasound, one is 7 mm and the other is 2 cm. Breasts came out great and the lumps are not visible, but I can feel them and I am concerned that these two areas will not resolve on their own without intervention.

Is this common? Will it likely resolve? Is there anything that can be done other than excision? I also read about these causing an inflammatory process. Thanks so much.

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by nicerackinsd in San Diego

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Fat necrosis after breast surgery

Fat necrosis is very common after any surgery in fatty tissue - whether after breast lift, liposuction, etc. Fat necrosis is a condition where bruised fat cells have died and the body's normal reaction (inflammatory process) to remove it is felt as a lump. It takes time for the body to totally remove it: 3-6 months is not unusual. In some cases, the lump will form a firm scar, which could be removed surgically if need be. For the time being, you should follow... more

Fat Necrosis after Augmentation-Lift

Fat necrosis is not unusual after a breast lift procedure and is rarely problematic. They will likely resolve with time. Continue to monitor with your surgeon. If they persist longer than a year, you could opt to have your surgeon remove them for you, if there presence disturbs you or you feel they interfere with your breast self-examination.

Fat necrosis

Fat necrosis usually resolves on its own especially if it is a small area. If it does not, they can sometimes be removed.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Fat necrosis after breast augmentation with lift

Fat necrosis (dead fatty tissue) can develop in breasts after an augmentation and lift. If these areas become symptomatic (painful) you may consider having your surgeon biopsy or remove the tissue. If there appears to be changes on your mammogram that are suspicious, you should also have these areas biopsied. It is not unusual for this to happen after surgery as it is caused by a disruption in the breast's blood supply. Consult with a board certified plastic... more

Fat necrosis is a risk of any breast lift procedure.

Fat necrosis is a risk of any breast lift procedure and will often become softer with time. I am glad that you love the appearance of your breasts after surgery. Give it some more time and see how things are in a year.

Fat Necrosis of Breast Tissue After Surgery

Fat necrosis is uncommon if the breast tissue is handled properly and the breast has good blood supply and adequate tension. If it develops, one needs not worry as most self resolve. A surgeon should keep a close follow up to make sure an infection does not set in as this in compromised tissue. Messaging will help but time is the most important determinant, usually 6 months.

Post-operative fat necrosis is not ideal, but may not be a problem

Small areas of fat necrosis following breast reductions are not uncommon. This can also happen with breast lifts that are performed with the same type of anchor-style incisions. It is possible that these small areas of scarring improve over time, but it is also possible that they remain unchanged. If your breast imaging studies have documented their location and size, and the studies are confident that these areas are fat necrosis, then intervention is neither necessary nor recommended.... more

Lump on breast after breast lift and breast augmentation - plastic surgeon

Fat necrosis is a non-specific sign seen on mammogram that may represent transient post surgical changes. Your surgeon should keep a close eye on these areas to ensure that they do not represent any cystic or tumorous process. If it is indeed fat necrosis, it will most likely disappear or turn into fibrosis.

Fat necrosis after breast surgery usually resolves spontaneously.

Fat necrosis after breast lift or reduction is occasionally seen. It, by itself, is no a health problem but a lump in a woman's breast is always a source of concern. Almost always the lump will gradually dissolve, usually over several months. If a lump persists, most patients would want it removed. This can usually be done with local anesthesia. It is seldom required.

Fat necrosis of breast tissue after a breast lift with implants

The combination of a breast lift with implants can add volume to breasts and change the shape and position of the breasts in one setting. One known complication is fat necrosis in the breast tissue. This may present as a firm mass or can also present as redness and possible drainage from the incision. If it is a small area of fat necrosis, your body will break down this tissue and it will resolve. If it is a large area, you may best be served by a small operation which would consist of... more

Fat necrosis after breast surgery

Fat necrosis is common after breast procedures. It is due to a disruption of the blood supply to an area of breast fat. The inflammatory response to the necrotic fat presents initially as a firm nodule. As the inflammatory response degrades the fat, the lump usually softens. It can take up to 3 months for this to occur. If the area is large enough, the firmness may remain as an area of scar tissue. If it remains, the only real option is surgical removal of the indurated or firm area. It is... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Fat necrosis after breast lift/implants

Fat necrosis is very common and can present as palpable masses. I usually have my patients massage these areas gently for a few months, and they often will soften. If you still have firm regions when you are a year out from surgery, we recommend imagin +/- biopsy to rule out any other process. Good luck, /nsn.

Breast fat necrosis following surgery

Fat necrosis in the breast is extremely common and occurs in the absence of surgery as well. Generally, in the absence of an open wound, no intervention is advised for a minimum of 6 months. Typically we advise patients to wait at least 6 months after breast surgery before imaging the breast. In some instances, the areas of fat necrosis resolve and in others they persist. We generally do not treat these unless they are causing a particular problem or have a questionable appearance on mammogram. more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fat necrosis usually does not resolve

Any operation on the breast can lead to some scarring, even if it is at a microscopic level. My experience is that these areas will not resolve, but since they are new to you since your surgery they can be made to be your "new baseline." In other words, they are likely to be post surgical changes and they can be monitored on a long term basis by seeing if they change. Short of surgical biopsy , I do not believe they will resolve.

Resolution of fat necrosis after breast lift/augmentation

Fat necrosis is due to inadequate blood supply to portions of the fat in the breast. This may resolve over time if the necrosis is small. After about 3 months, you may still have some hardness due to the healing and swelling processes going on. The 2 cm area is not likely to go away by itself. If it is bothersome after about a year of so, excision will likely be the best way to address the issue.

Fat necrosis is benign and can be managed.

The issue with fat necrosis is that it could be causing you concern. The lumps are palpable and the studies show this is fat necrosis. So you know you have a benign situation. Even if they don't soften, they can be followed radiologically. If your radiologist feels very confident that this is benign fat necrosis, there is no reason to have them removed. However, if palpating a lump in your breast is causing you anxiety, you should have them removed for your... more