Skin breakdown after mastectomy is something worth understanding, especially during recovery. One recognized complication is called mastectomy flap necrosis — when the skin near the surgical site doesn't get enough blood flow, causing tissue to break down. It affects roughly 5% to 30% of people after mastectomy. Here are Show Full Answer
Skin breakdown after mastectomy is something worth understanding, especially during recovery. One recognized complication is called mastectomy flap necrosis — when the skin near the surgical site doesn't get enough blood flow, causing tissue to break down. It affects roughly 5% to 30% of people after mastectomy. Here are the warning signs to watch for:
- Discoloration — Skin may turn pink, purple, dark brown, or black
- Blistering — Fluid-filled bubbles near the surgical site
- Dry scabbing or crusting — A hard, dry layer over the wound
- Temperature changes — Skin feeling unusually cold or warm
- Wound separation — Edges of the incision pulling apart
- Unusual drainage — Fluid or discharge leaking from the wound
- Fever — Can signal an infection is developing
If any of these appear, contact your healthcare team promptly. Severity can range from minor surface changes that heal on their own to deeper tissue loss requiring surgery. The good news is that surgical teams are fully trained to manage this complication.
As one MyBCTeam member shared after needing surgery for necrosis: *"It's still a good day! Hopefully, this is it! I am feeling good despite some tugging and pulling discomfort."*
Setbacks don't define the final outcome — many people go on to complete their recovery successfully.
September 28
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