5 weeks post Mastopexy. Reaction to surgical glue. Does this look healthy? (Photo)

Question

doing wet to dry dressings every 3 hours. The pain is ridiculous. It feels like my breast is falling out. My PS says it looks great and is healing fine. No infection PS says so that's fantastic. Why should it hurt so bad

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

This is not a reaction to the surgical glue.  It is vascular compromise that resulted in skin death.  It is healing by granulation tissue (the red tissue).  Anything that is black still needs to be debrided. It is goon to leave a scar which will improve over time but will never be like the other side.  It is an unfortunate problem that is most commonly associated with smoking.  If you are not a smoker, then it was just a unfortunate outcome. Nothing topically will relieve the pain.  I would suggest just continuing the dressing changes.  You will need narcotics to relieve the pain until the area is closed.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

I am so sorry that you are experiencing this. It will heal in time, but you have lost some skin, probably not from the glue. The scar will improve but it will never look like the other side. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

This is an unfortunate complication that can occur after breast lift or reduction. It is not likely related to the surgical glue, but to compromise of blood supply to the breast tissue during the operation. These wounds are in need of debridement to remove the non-viable tissue. Discuss with your surgeon.All the best.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

So sorry to hear about your difficulties. You have lost some skin, probably not from the glue, and will take time to heal. You might ask your surgeon about prescribing some topical numbing cream like Lidocaine. You still have some necrotic tissue, but the red tissue is healing. Please keep all your follow up visits with your surgeon.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

You are dealing with skin necrosis.  It will take time to heal.  Follow your surgeon's instructions.  Be patient.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Not a reaction to the glue but to vascular insufficiency to this area, lack of blood supply.  It is healing but will take more time.  Once it is  healed you may need a surgical revision.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Appears you had a complication that is being controlled by your surgeon. Good Luck...................

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

This does not appear to be a skin glue reaction but rather skin necrosis (death). Wet to dry dressing may not be the best wound care choice. You may want to consider a 2nd opinion.

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

From your photos, you appear to have a partial loss of skin usually due to vascular insufficiency of the breast skin. There are many prescribed treatment regimens to allow this skin to heal in the best fashion. One of the principles of healing is to keep the area moist. It also helps to remove some of the exudate every day. The pain you're experiencing is from not having an outside layer of skin. Ask your plastic surgeon if barrier type dressings like flexan

5 weeks post Mastopexy. Reaction to surgical glue. Does this look healthy? (Photo)

Answers (9)

More Breast Lift Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (9)

More Breast Lift Questions

How long after a lift can I get implants?

Breast lift options? Internal bra? Don't want scarring! (Photo)

Breast lift on people who keloid. (Photo)

Why do I have saggy boobs at 15 and there very uneven.

Why have I had grade 3 ptosis since I was 12?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS