Painful breast after fat transfer. Is this normal 1 year post-op?

Question

I had fat transfer to my breast about a year ago, however i experience bad pain to both my breast and they feel lumpy. My primary suggested i get an ultra sound just to ex out any cancer, my results were cysts ab out 11 on each breast.

Nirmal Nathan, MD · Answer

Dear iraism5,Thank you for your question. It is not normal after fat transfer to the breasts to have significant pain. Lumps can sometimes me fat necrosis but resolve over time. If there are any questions from the ultrasound, you can consider getting an MRI which will show the breast anatomy in much finer detail.Good luck,Nirmal R. Nathan, M.D.
  
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
  
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear iraism5,
your breasts shouldn't be painful one year after fat transfer. I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Oil cysts after a fat transfer can happen and is one of the risks with fat transfer. You might even have some small areas of fat necrosis which can be painful. You might have also made regular cysts which do look differently from oil cysts, and these are often uncomfortable, but they do tend to come and go, and are not related to surgery. These are related to diet, caffeine, and hormones.  the radiologist can determine what kind of cysts you have.

Painful breast after fat transfer. Is this normal 1 year post-op?

Answers (3)