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Infection after breast augmentation surgery

I had breast implants done on October 4th. I had a suture from inside try to come through and the nurse pulled it out and trimmed it. Ever since then, I've had an infection. Have been on two types of antibiotics and they go away and then come back. Today I have one pretty bad spot that's sort of bleeding, not much infection pus or anything (I know it sounds sickening) but I'm freaking. I've been cleaning the area with Hibiclens and putting antibiotic ointment on it and keeping it covered with gauze. Any other suggestions? Heat perhaps? There's no pain and the area's not warm to touch, it's just yucky.

Sort 43 expert answers by:
+5

Infection after breast augmentation

Hello, There are two main type of infections possible after a breast augmentation: Superficial infections: It does not involve the implant and usually is related to the sutures. These type of infections usually go away on their own or with a short course of antibiotics. Deep infections: These involve the implant and are more serious in terms of the possible final result. Oral antibiotics should be started. Cultures should be taken if there is drainage to... more
Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+3

First, call your surgeon immediately! An infection has...

First, call your surgeon immediately! An infection has the potential to require not one, but two or more operations--one to remove the implant, then a second to place another implant several months later (after the tissues have fully healed and matured). Infections requiring implant removal are thankfully rare. The highest risk period is likely the initial healing period after surgery for several weeks. Diabetics and smokers are much more at risk, but the risk is never zero. After the... more
Nick Slenkovich, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Infection after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Infections after breast augmentation surgery are not very common, however, if they occur, it can be a long drawn process until getting back to normal. Based on your description, it appears, that you have a superficial infection, or a stitch abscess in the area. Stitch abscess is somewhat different from superficial infection. When the surgeons place absorbable sutures, we rely on our body’s ability to break down suture material. Unfortunately, some suture materials are more... more
Boris Volshteyn, MD, MS
Reno Plastic Surgeon
+2

Infection after Breast Augmentation

I am sorry you're having some problems. It sounds like you had a suture extrude and some continued draining from that spot. If there is continued drainage, there may be more sutures to be removed.  Be sure to have your doctor evaluate this right away. Treating the area as you are usually helps the area to heal and the problem resolve. If the breast is getting red or if you are developing a fever, it is important to let your doctor know, right away.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast Augmentation and Infection

Breast augmentation is a safe procedure that has risks associated with any surgery.  I would advise you to follow up with your plastic surgeon, who should be familiar with wound care and treatment.  It does not sound like an infection of the implant itself. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Problem after breast implant surgery

The problem you are having sounds a lot like a stitch reaction, sometimes called a stitch granuloma. These start as a small bump over the area of a stitch that grows a bit and then starts leaking slightly. Its not really an infection, but more like a slowly healing area. If there is a piece of stitch in that area it will have to be removed to get better. Once the stitch is removed you will heal over time. A little bleeding or possibly leaking a small amount of clear or slightly yellow stuff... more
Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

If the problem is just with the sutures coming out...

If the problem is just with the sutures coming out rather than dissolving, this should resolve spontaneously. Go directly to your surgeon and have them evaluate if this is the case. A deeper form of infection around the implant will not be cured by antibiotics and will require implant removal and replacement at a later date, perhaps in 6 to 12 weeks. You can suspect that you have this kind of infection if you have fevers or if the breast involved is enlarged, painful, or red. more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast, deep sutures, infection

It sounds like suture reaaction, body can react to sutures like Vicryl that can cause granulation tissue and discharge. Get it evaluated by a Plastic surgeon. He or she may want to explore the area and remove the deep sutures.
Sanjay Parashar, MD
Dubai Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation infections

There are two major types of infections that are seen after breast augmentation surgery.  The more common type of infection is superficial in natural, usually clears up with antibiotics, and occurs in roughly 1% of cases.  Less commonly, deeper infections can occur which involve the implant.  These infections are much more serious, and can require intravenous antibiotics or even removal of the implant.  It can sometimes be a challenge determining if a deeper... more
Kelly Gallego, MD
Sioux City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infections after breast augmentation

It is relatively rare to get an infection after breast augmentation surgery. He can be separated into 2 categories. Deep and superficial. Superficial infections usually relate to incisional issues such as stitch abscesses, superficial cellulitis, etc. Deep infections are more serious and usually relate to infection around the implant, inside the pocket. The management of these types of infections is more complex. For superficial infections, local wound care, oral antibiotics will... more
Kenneth Bermudez, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation Cost in Columbus Ohio

I agree with everyone on this list who has encouraged you to make sure your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and that that person is someone you would trust after meeting with them at your consultation. In Columbus, Ohio, our total costs for breast augmentation are currently $4500-5100 for saline implants and $5000-5900 for silicone implants.
Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

This may be serious--does not sound like "dissolving stitch"

Many answers have correctly talked about dissolving sutures, stitch abscess, and the difference between a superficial wound or incisional infection, and implant or pocket infection. Two courses of antibiotics would generally be overkill for superficial incisional or stitch-type infections; removal of the offending stitch should be all that is necessary, unless more than one stitch has become infected (usually from skin bacteria, but ocassionally from other sources, like pets or... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Suture infection usually will clear up- but is unnerving

A small part of the suture can start to work itself out, instead of dissolving. As this happens, it may become a superficial suture infection. Usually with antibiotics and wound care, it will heal.  The worry is that it may spread to the implant, so do keep an eye on it with your plastic surgeon.
Anne Taylor, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection After Breast Augmentation

There are two types of infections after breast augmentation. Wound infections are superficial and usually clear with wound care and antibiotics. In a pocket infection the implant has become contaminated, this will not respond to antibiotics and will need to be removed. If the wound infection is not responding normally to antibiotics, the pocket infection needs to be ruled out .Furthermore, avoid strong antiseptics like Hibiclens, for they will significantly delay normal... more
Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection after implants

As long as it is just a supeficial wound infection it should clear with local wound care and antibiotics.  This is much different than an infected implant which would be a much bigger (but much less common) problem.
Michael Philbin, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Incision infection after breast augmentation

After any operation, Breast Augmentation included, the body reacts to the suture material that is buried under the skin. That's how the sutures dissolve. Sometimes that reaction is very close to the surface of the skin, and so it gets red and the stitch may even "spit". Usually, just removing the stitch is enough. If there's still pus coming out from the area after the stitch was removed, your surgeon may need to carefully open the area up to be sure the process is... more
Verne Weisberg, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Possible infection after breast augmentation

It sounds like what you are describing is local irritation of the incision from the small suture poking through.  Now that the suture has been removed, the area will more than likely heal uneventfully with proper care, but it may take a little longer than the rest of the incision that isn't involved.  Regular cleansing, antibiotic ointment, and dry guaze all sound like appropriate treatment.  I don't recommend the application of heat to the area, because it isn't... more
Amy M. Sprole, MD
Wichita Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection after Breast Augmentation

Infection after breast augmentation is very rare, but can happen.  If you have an infection, you may need long term antibiotics and sometimes even need to have the implant removed.  You should follow up closely with your surgeon.  It is very important that you see a board certified plastic surgeon.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Healing after a suture is removed

The suture you mentioned is probably and absorbable stitch.  Even though we say it is absorbable, this can take several weeks.  It is not uncommon for the stitch to work its way to the skin surface.  Usually once it falls out or is removed as in your case, everything will heal uneventfully.  It can be disconcerting while this occurs.  Keeping the area clean with soap and water, antibiotic ointment, and a sterile bandaid or guaze is all that is needed.  The... more
Randy  Proffitt, MD
Mobile Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sounds like a spitting suture

Infections take many different turns; 1- a rip roaring infection can require surgical drainage or the removal of the inplant. This problem will present as pain, fever, swelling, redness and perhaps some drainage. 2- A local skin infection can have many of the sysmptoms described above but the implant is soft and non-tender. This can usually be treated with antibiotics. 3- Finally, most common is something doctors call a spitting suture. This is when the dissolvable sutures come... more
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection after breast augmentation surgery

Infection may occur after breast augmentation surgery, and should be evaluated and managed by your plastic surgeon. Superficial infections may be treated with local wound care and antibiotics, but deeper infections involving the implants themselves may require more aggressive treatment and surgical intervention.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection after breast augmentation surgery

It sounds like a superficial infection cause by suture. This not uncommon and it usually resolves with local wound care,oral antibiotics, local exploration of the wound and removal of the suture.  However,  is very important that you follow with your plastic surgeon because sometimes this superficial infections can be complicated by deep infections involving the breast implant.
Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

I hope you saw your surgeon for this problem

I hope you saw your surgeon for this problem,  as it sounds like you needed a bit of wound care or even a little exploration to be sure all the stitch material was removed.
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Infection after a breast augmentation

My suggestion would be to speak with your plastic surgeon.  While what you are describing does sound like a superficial infection, you would be best evaluated in person by a trained plastic surgeon.   Generally, infection rates after breast augmentation alone is around 2%.  Many are superficial that can be treated with oral antibiotics and/or local wound care.  Your description seems to be consistent with a stitch abscess which can develop from bacteria accumulating... more
Naveen Setty, MD
Plano Plastic Surgeon
+1

Spitting stitch after breast augmentation

Sometimes a stitch place on the inside will come out through the skin.  This spitting stitch will often be seen in the office and taken out.  The skin in this area may be open.  Usually with local wound care, some antibiotics, and time, the wound will close itself up.  Please don't take sutures out yourself.  Please make sure that your plastic surgeon knows what is going on so that he can determine if it is a; spitting stitch,  superficial infection,... more
Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
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