Was Deflating Implants Right Choice?? Why Wasn't I Warned That I Could Get Seroma?

asked 7 months ago by grapes2891 in New York, NY
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 140 times
Tags: drainage, preparation, seroma

I got saline implants 8 yrs ago & always thought they're too big. 2 weeks ago I decided I want to have them removed & maybe a lift. The PS suggested delfating implants at her office so I could see what they would look like & leaving shells in for weeks to months for best results. A week after the deflation, my breats got huge and I got really ill. I got seroma.Now this PS said I need a capsulectomy. But, my first PS is saying I need to close the capsule and drains.Thoughts??

5 answers to Was Deflating Implants Right Choice?? Why Wasn't I Warned That I Could Get Seroma?

Breast deflation

Some surgeons report deflating implants before doing a lift if the patient does not want the implants in anymore. It is strange for the breasts to swell up. COuld it be an infectoin or seroma? Perhaps. Hard to tell you what to do without an examoh

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Was an In Office Deflation of Breast Implants the Right Choice??

It sounds like you are getting conflicting information from two of your Plastic surgeons. If you did not have any issues with your breast implants for 8 years it is highly unlikely that placing a needle in sterile fashion into the implants (to deflate them to show you the current size of your breasts) could have caused a seroma. Seromas are usually seen shortly after surgery especially when lymphatics are disrupted. This is more suggestive of either an infection or bleeding (potentially... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants

Seroma is not a common risk after deflation of implants. From your description you need to make sure you have no INFECTION, OR HEMATOMA. Either way you need surgery removal of the capsule and drain the breast. Treat the infection based on the cultures. See you plastic surgeon ASAP

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Removal of Implants and Complications

Thank you for the question. It sounds like you have had an unusual experience along with unusual complications. What concerns me most in your description is when you state that you “got really ill”. if you have signs or symptoms of an infection then I'm concerned that you had more than a seroma as a complication. I would continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon and seek other opinions as necessary. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Weird breast story

This is a very strange situation and I have never heard of a seroma after deflating a breast implant. Maybe a hematoma if the needle poked a blood vessel. Perhaps even an infection. Either way, there can be no useful answers on the internet for this unusual situation. Please see doctors in person for this.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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