Yellow fat discharging from breast after stitches opening on 10 day post op

Question

Yellow discharge is coming out from my breast after fat grafting. Doc opened stitches after 8 days. And today its my 10 th day.it started leaking

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.   This is likely from far that did not "take" or become engrafted.  When fat "dies", it becomes an oil and can leak out of the incision.  Be sure to have close follow up with your surgeon.  Watch for redness or changes to appearance of drainage, signs that could indicate an infection.  Best of luck.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

What you are most likely seeing is the liquified oils that are what is stored inside of fat cells in our bodies.  When the fat cells die, they discharge their oil, and it either stays inside the tissues, forming what is called a "lipoid cyst," or in cases like yours where there is some way for the oils to get out, it simply leaks out.  The body can reabsorb small quantities of these oils, but if the collection is large enough it will persist unless it is drained.  In and of itself this is not a huge problem; in other words, if it's there, you'd rather have it drain than stay in your tissues.  The issues are that a) it indicates a failure on some level of the fat transfer, meaning that there has been some cell loss, and thus some loss of the volume that was expected/desired, and b) it can sometimes cause inflammation or become infected.  As long as the tissues around the area aren't hot, red, swollen, or significantly tender or sore, you can just let things continue to drain and keep the wounds clean.  If you develop any of the other signs or symptoms of inflammation or infection that I noted above, you need to contact your surgeon immediately.  In any event, as long as this is going on, you need to remain in close contact with your surgeon and his staff, and make them aware of any concerns that you may have.  Follow their instructions closely, and keep them apprised of any changes.  Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I don't think I have too much to add, but I will say that any area that has been fat grafted will most likely have some oily fluids that, if allowed to seep out, would do so. I agree that it's better to have it seep out than to collect underneath your skin.Keep in close contact with your surgeon.I hope your final outcome is what you had anticipated.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Yellow fat discharging from breast after stitches opening on 10 day post op

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Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

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Yellow fat discharging from breast after stitches opening on 10 day post op

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Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.