Are Benign Lumps Typical After a Breast Reduction/lift?

Breast reduction results in significant changes in the architecture of the breast. It’s not uncommon to develop lumps in the breast as a result of these changes. These lesions fall into several categories and include stitch granulomas, encapsulated hematomas, scar tissue, cysts and areas of fat necrosis.

The vast majority of these lesions are benign and resolve with time. Even though these lumps have developed following surgery, it cannot be assumed that they are the result of surgery. It’s important that they be evaluated to rule out malignancy.

Although conservative management is appropriate, in some cases these lumps don’t resolve on their own. Under these circumstances, excision of the lesion may be necessary.

A post surgical breast "lump" or mass is not unusual, but all breast masses must be taken seriously.  Your surgeon, it seems to me, is managing the finding quite appropriately.

Thank you for your question.  I am happy to hear that your surgeon sent you for imaging to evaluate the lumps that you have noticed following your breast reduction/lift procedure.  While I would not say that lumps and bumps are an especially common complaint post-operatively, it is possible that this lump might be the result of scar tissue or some cystic process.  In any event, it is always important that any masses are evaluated via imaging studies (such as a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI) to ensure that nothing sinister is going on.  In my practice, I routinely have any patients 40 years or older or who have a personal or family history of breast cancer present for a baseline mammogram as part of their medical clearance for any breast related surgery (augmentation, lift or reduction).  Additionally, whenever breast tissue is removed in surgery this tissue is sent to the lab for analysis by a pathologist for further evaluation.  Follow your surgeon and radiologists recommendation and present for your follow up imaging in 6 months time.  If you begin to experience any pain or discomfort in the interim, be sure to address this with your board certified plastic surgeon.  I hope that this helps!

Sometimes areas where fat scars or has poor blood supply after reduction surgery can cause firm lumps in the breast.  These firm areas usually resolve in several months to 2 years.  However, no lump in the breast should ever go without thorough evaluation or be assumed to be secondary to surgery.  Your doctor is correctly approaching the evaluation of these findings 

It is possible to have a breast lump which is a suture granuloma or scar tissue. However, if you are speaking of a breast tumor, this would not be a consequence of the surgery. When the breasts are reduced, you may become more aware of the presence of lesions. I require all breast reduction patients over age 40 to have a baseline mammogram prior to the surgery and send all resected breast tissue for pathologic analysis to rule out any previously unknown tumor processes.

Thank you for the question.

It is not uncommon to have “benign lumps”  found after breast surgery.  This may be related to scar tissue, fat necrosis, suture granuloma  or may be completely unrelated to the breast surgery ( for example cyst  or fibroadenoma).

Nevertheless, careful self breast exam and radiologic evaluation remains important;  don't assume that any “lump” is benign.

I hope this helps.

Lumps after breast surgery are common.  These can be caused by cysts, stitch abscesses, or areas where fat does not have perfect blood supply.  After a mammogram/ultrasound/MRI confirms the benigh nature of the lump you may want to try a series of warm compresses.  This will increase local blood flow and may help resolution.  Persistent lumps need to be followed with repeat mammogram/ultrasound/MRI studies.  Even a benign lump may need to be surgically removed for comfort and peace of mind.