Anyone have fat necrosis after breast reconstruction?

@trixie1313 and @nataliehope may have some experience to share about this.
Here's some information about Necrosis of the Tissue Flap https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/corrective/necrosis-flap

Mari, are you experiencing necrosis? Did you have a Diep flap reconstruction? Was it recent as in the past few days? Have you contacted your breast surgeon?

@mari
Mari - I did not have a full mastectomy, although I went from a DDD cup down to maybe an A. I had been prepared to have full mastectomies, however, my oncology surgeon did not want to do a full mastectomy, advising that since all breast tissue cannot be removed that it is still possible to get breast cancer again and that full mastectomy can possibly cause lifetime nerve pain. Because I had had a recent lumpectomy on the one side and then the second tumor was located via MRI breast, my breast had to be reshaped following cutting it down in size; the unaffected breast was also brought down to try to match. I stayed overnight and left the next day with drainage tubes. I did no have any necrosis. I cannot address the issue of a full mastectomy, however. I am happy with my decision and actually the scars (armpit to chest as well as lollipop for nipple) have healed quite well. I joke with lady friends that I now look like a Sumo wrestler! But in all seriousness, again I have no regrets.

"@trixie1313 and @nataliehope "unaffected breast was also brought down to try to match". Did Medicare cover $ ? What do u mean re Sumo wrestler? I'll have revision in 3 months. But, don't like the way I'm being treated by Plastic Surgeon, so will be looking for someone new in So. Cal.

I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy with diep reconstruction in July. It was originally scheduled for April but was put off because of the virus. I am hopeful that all will go smoothly and that I will heal quickly. I am very interested in this conversation and hopeful that other people will contribute. I have faith in my Doctors. I will have a breast surgeon and two plastic surgeons. This way the diep can be done at the same time as the mastectomy and shorten the actual surgery time. There will be a plastic surgeon doing either side. I have already had two lumpectomies and am taking this next step because I have learned I have a genetic mutation. I decided to progress this way rather than get BC a third time and go from there. Even tho I can get BC again, I feel I am lessening the chances. Also, my oncologist told me that if I get BC again, it will probably be very aggressive, possibly triple negative, because I have taken tamoxifen and this time am taking anaztrozole which affect the hormones.

@mari Read up on Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act- reconstruction should be covered. Google pictures of sumo wrestlers. If you do not like your plastic surgeon, search for a different one. I belong to Kaiser and we are able to change doctors, etc., with no difficulty but that may not be true for other medical facilities. I did not care for my original breast surgeon and opted to go to a different facility and was happy I did.

Has anyone had experience with fat necrosis in the reconstructed tissue?

Yes. My surgeon wanted to be completely sure that was the diagnosis, so removal was done. All was well.

Hi. Just had my annual mammogram and ultrasound. Hey found a mass on my mastectomy site. Says suspicious. Biopsies scheduled June 2nd. Wish me luck.

Hi Bluebird
Thinking of you today and sending wishes of good news following your biopsies!

Thank you so much. Blind sided me as I have been feeling really good and wasn’t anxious as I have been for previous ones😳.