Fat necrosis was aspirated 3 days ago. Areas still indurated. Do I need multiple aspirations?

Question

Hello. I had 2 areas of fat necrosis that were aspirated. Its been 3 days but the areas are still indurated. Feels like a very thick mosquito bite . A doughy nodule. will my butt be soft again? Am i going to require multiple aspirations and is this an effective treatment? Do steroids or antibiotics help? Any supplements to decrease this necrosis?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Mary2012UT,it is hard to tell without an examination whether you will need multiple aspirations. It is likely that area of fat necrosis will get softer with time. I would suggest you to follow your surgeon's instructions. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

it's hard to predict the future of exactly what will happen. You may need more aspirations or you may not. at this point following up with your surgeon so they can keep a close eye on the situation would be best. There are no supplements that will help prevent necrosis although vitamin C always helps for healing purposes.Best of luckDr. Michael Gartner

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

The hard areas or induration is swelling as a reaction to the fat necrosis and trauma of aspiration. It can take months for this to fully calm down and soften. Antibiotics help if there is an aspect of infection associated with the fat necrosis. Fat necrosis can become infected, so you may have had both liquified fat from the fat necrosis and pus from an infection aspirated. Infection almost always has induration. This not only can feel hard to touch but can have hyperpigmentation too. Make sure you follow up closely with your PS.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

That necrosis usually presents as ferment nodules that cannot be aspirated.
Desd fat from fat transfer procedures like Brazilians can liquefy fat and this oil or liquefied fed can be aspirated.
Tissue infections usually appear red and orange very tender.
If there's an infection with pus accumulation or infected that then this can also be aspirated. If there are signs of infection you should probably be on anabiotic's but if there's no sign of infection you do not need anabiotic's.
Your doctor is the best person to tell you what kind of treatment you need.
There are no supplements that can change the outcome.
Steroids can have a positive and negative effects. Again your doctor can help you with this decisionBest,
Mats Hagstrom M.D.

Fat necrosis was aspirated 3 days ago. Areas still indurated. Do I need multiple aspirations?

Answers (4)