How often do Breast Reduction Patients get Fat Necrosis?

Fat necrosis is not that common after breast reduction,. but can occur in some patients.  Usually if it does occur it resorbs. On occasion it requires a surgical procedure to remove it.

Fat necrosis is not common, but I do see it in some patients who have very large breast reductions performed.  Some of the key factors to decrease these from happening is to be with a lower BMI, not be a smoker.  Despite these factors fat necrosis can still occur but is not difficult to improve.

Significant fat necrosis is fairly uncommon  I occasionally see patients who will drain some yellowish fluid from the incision area,  It usually settles down quickly.  Achieving an optimal weight prior to surgery and not smoking will help to avoid it.

Thank you for your question. Fat necrosis is a self limiting condition where fat beneath the skin dies; usually the result of blunt trauma, sometimes the result of surgery. During the early part of the process the affected area can develop firm nodules. These gradually soften leaving no residual, though on occasion the loss of fat can leave a contour deformity of the skin. Necrosis of the breast fat following breast reduction is fairly uncommon. When it occurs it usually leaves no residuals. If contour deformities occur, they could be treated with fat transplants.

Fortunately in an otherwise healthy patient, fat necrosis is not that common after a reduction. As to patient prevention, about the only thing you can do is not smoke. Fat necrosis occurs because the blood supply to the necrotic area is inadequate for tissue survival. When it does occur it is usually either behind the areola or below the areola near the fold.