Fat Necrosis

[TGP]

Hi.  I had breast reduction and tummy tuck surgery on May 26th. I am 4 and a half weeks into my recovery period.  Approximately 2 weeks into the recovery, both of my breasts started to drain this yellowish liquified substance which my doctor called "Fat Nerosis."  I have been cleaning the "holes" beneath my breasts out daily with saline and dressing them with Silvadine antibiotic cream twice a day for approx 2 and a half weeks now.  I have no fever or redness and I feel fine.  As a matter of fact, I am very satisfied with the physical appearance of my new body.  Although, my doctor keeps telling me not to worry... and I am extremely concerned.  Should I be??  Should I ask my doctor to put me back into the hospital and clean all of this out - for once and for all - in order to end it?  What do you think?  Will this ever heal?  Is there another way to handle this?  Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.
T

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

In the basence of any gross infection, I would follow your surgeon's advise and treat the draining areas conservatively.  Sometimes aggressive debridement can result in more problems (including infection and shape deformity) than is expected.  You may be asking for more problems and surgery should probably be performed only if your surgeon feels it is absolutely necessary.

[TGP]

Thank you for your feedback.  I understand what you are saying.  My only concern is.... what if my surgeon is putting off any aggressive treatment (Hospital, another surgery, etc) for more than 90 days (which is the only time that I have to be covered financially under the same bill).  If he tells me in 4 months that he wants to hospitalize me, then I will have to cover additional costs that I wouldn't have if he were to hospitalize me now.  

On the other hand, I do not want to risk infection or shape deformity.  I am so concerned and scared.
T