Breast Reduction: Q&A

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Had Wound Separation After Breast Reduction and Healing Very Slow with Infection, What Should I Do?

Im using a method called wet to dry with saline wash that was recommended by my doctor but I feel I'm healing slowly.Is there any other way to get this open wound to close up faster and not be too moist?I clean twice a day and take my antibiotics(Keflex) because I have infection the breast is draining but it's draining from another area of the breast Is this normal?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Covington4512

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Breast Reduction Surgery Complication?

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately what you are describing can occur after breast reduction surgery even in the best of hands. Wet to try dressing changes are an acceptable method of handling this complication. Also, unfortunately it does take several weeks to months before the wound heals completely. Sometimes the surgeon may be able to close the wound as it gets smaller in size. I would suggest continued patience and compliance with your plastic surgeon. I... more

Wound separation after breast reduction

Can happen fairly frequently in larger patients depending upon health and other issues. Wet to dry dressings are a good way to get the old skin/tissue off and allow the new skin and tissue to grow in. Healing this way however is very frustrating and long for the patient. Do you have diabetes or are you a smoker? These conditions will slow down or stop healing on their own, as will obesity, and a variety of medications and other medical conditions. Also, do you... more

Wound Separation After Breast Reduction and Healing Very Slow with Infection, What Should I Do?

No one can ethically and accurately advise you on what you should do without examining you and knowing how your surgery was done and what was the cause of the wound separation. If you have dead flesh in the breast, healing will start only after all the dead flesh was removed and clean living tissue was present on both sides of the wound. If the cause of separation is an infection, all pus needs to be drained, infected dead tissue must be removed and bacterial invasion (infection) must be... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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Wet to dry dressings for secondary healing

This is the regimen that I follow. Secondary healing can be slow but healing cannot be rushed. Safe and steady will produce healing over time. If you are or were a smoker, have hypertension or diabetes, healing will be more protracted. Please continue to see your plastic surgeon regularly for followup to insure that healing is progressing appropriately.

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Breast Reduction: Q&A