Had fat transfer to outer thighs, developed an infection at site of transfer after 4 days. Sent to hospital, given IV antibiotics and discharged with oral abtibiotics. Blood cultures normal, showed mild infection. Mild fever. Diagnosed as cellulitis. Infection has reduced but am left with large golf-ball lumps under the skin. Are these abscesses or fat necrosis? Do they need to be drained?
Answer: Infection or fat necrosis? Fat necrosis is common after fat transfer and can appear anywhere we transfer fat--it is not as common in the face because the blood supply to the face is so rich but I see it after transferring fat to the gluteal area and the hips and legs in some of my BBL patients. I find that they go to the ER and get diagnosed with an infection and get them drained but in my practice I let them run their course and I feel I end up with better results than if they are drained and treated like a regular abscess. If you watch the video below on BBL complications and fat necrosis it will explain it better.
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Answer: Infection or fat necrosis? Fat necrosis is common after fat transfer and can appear anywhere we transfer fat--it is not as common in the face because the blood supply to the face is so rich but I see it after transferring fat to the gluteal area and the hips and legs in some of my BBL patients. I find that they go to the ER and get diagnosed with an infection and get them drained but in my practice I let them run their course and I feel I end up with better results than if they are drained and treated like a regular abscess. If you watch the video below on BBL complications and fat necrosis it will explain it better.
Helpful
July 11, 2022
Answer: Abscess or fat necrosis Dear Arcanely,
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July 11, 2022
Answer: Abscess or fat necrosis Dear Arcanely,
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July 13, 2022
Answer: Abscesses or fat necrosis Abscesses or infected fat necrosis have to be drained by puncture-aspiration or surgically in addition to antibiotic treatment. Diagnosis of abscess can be confirmed clinically, with ultrasound and puncture. Communicate with your surgeon immediately if you didn't, to address this complication opportunely.
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July 13, 2022
Answer: Abscesses or fat necrosis Abscesses or infected fat necrosis have to be drained by puncture-aspiration or surgically in addition to antibiotic treatment. Diagnosis of abscess can be confirmed clinically, with ultrasound and puncture. Communicate with your surgeon immediately if you didn't, to address this complication opportunely.
Helpful
July 13, 2022
Answer: Abscesses or fat necrosis & do they need to be drained? Sorry for your severe postoperative complications of fat grafting to the thigh areas. I must compliment the excellent posted photos. I assume you had surgery not in your city? But traveled away for the surgery? You need t be under the care of a private practice boarded Plastic Surgeon. In my practice I see SOOO many of your all coming from clinics or out of country surgeries with all types of these complications. In your case I would recommend IV antibiotics for 5 days, with daily ozone therapy. Best to virtual with...
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July 13, 2022
Answer: Abscesses or fat necrosis & do they need to be drained? Sorry for your severe postoperative complications of fat grafting to the thigh areas. I must compliment the excellent posted photos. I assume you had surgery not in your city? But traveled away for the surgery? You need t be under the care of a private practice boarded Plastic Surgeon. In my practice I see SOOO many of your all coming from clinics or out of country surgeries with all types of these complications. In your case I would recommend IV antibiotics for 5 days, with daily ozone therapy. Best to virtual with...
Helpful
July 11, 2022
Answer: Cellulitis and fat necrosis While your photos are very alarming, your history is incomplete. We need to know more information like how long post-op you are now, how the circled areas of redness are doing (resolving, or remaining). If not an abscess, there is no need for draining. IF the lumps remain for some time after the redness resolves, then steroid injections or surgical removal may be indicated. Many times surgeons will wait a full year to see if the lumps resolve on their own (I prefer to add steroid injections to help them along, but ONLY if there are no signs of infection).
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
July 11, 2022
Answer: Cellulitis and fat necrosis While your photos are very alarming, your history is incomplete. We need to know more information like how long post-op you are now, how the circled areas of redness are doing (resolving, or remaining). If not an abscess, there is no need for draining. IF the lumps remain for some time after the redness resolves, then steroid injections or surgical removal may be indicated. Many times surgeons will wait a full year to see if the lumps resolve on their own (I prefer to add steroid injections to help them along, but ONLY if there are no signs of infection).
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
