Pain in Right Side of Tummy and Breast Reduction Lumps

[Pandalili]

I have two important concerns:  The first is that after breast reduction (I was a double D and now a very small c) I have developed a bump above each nipple.  Sonagrams of both breasts were performed.  Also nipples were checked and there is no accumulation of fluid in both areas.  They vagely stated that these things "work themselves out"  It is now three months since my surgery and they are as hard as a rock and quite visible when I am not wearing a bra.  One doctor said that it could be stitches that are under the skin and the body is reacting to this.  That perhaps if it continued they could go in and remove them.  I am diabetic and the thought of opening myself up again is scary.
The second question is that I have pain on my right side above the belly button after TT.  It hurts when I move and it is very sensitive to the touch.  Left side is fine.  I plan to have lazer lipo in two weeks and this pain concerns me.  What do you think??

[carterlv]

Hello Pandalili,
I just read your comment above and I too have a simular problem. I had a TT and am experiencing pain in my upper right side of my belly since two weeks after my surgery. I have been through all kinds of testing.. blood, kidney, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, CT scans, MRI's and pain management since about early june 07. Today I still have no answers and might have to go back under the knife to look inside to see what is wrong. My gastro doc told me it could be a stitch on a nerve, or that something was left inside me at the operation. But it definetly was not any of my organs and my blood work is fine. If you get any answers, please post back here as I will do the same for you.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

The residual 'bumps' above each nipple could be due to any number of minor post-op problems including reaction to an underlying suture (suture granuloma) or a small area of dead fat with surround scar tissue formation (fat necrosis).  In either case, if the problem does not resolve, exploration and removal would be appropriate and likely a minor procedure.

I do not know what the cause of your periumbilical discomfort following a tummy tuck.  However it seem incongruous that you are frightened about a minor biopsy around the previous breast surgery, and yet are willing to undergo a blind laser procedure around an area with an unknown source of persistent pain in your abdomen.  It seems to me that this should be resolved before undergoing additional elective surgery there.