When Can I Have Implants Replaced After Removal for Infection?

Tgutsbny,
I am sorry that your implants got infected. How someone gets an infection is complicated. It depends on many factors such as your immune system, your overall health, the healing process just to name a few. It is difficult to tell how you are healing with this picture and only one picture. You should continue to follow up with your surgeon. This is extemely important so that he/she can direct your treatment successfully. I generally wait at least 3 months after removal to consider replacing the implants. All signs/symptoms of the infection must be gone! Good luck.
Dr. ES

3 to 6 months after the infection is TOTALLY cleared up. The reasons are many. From a break in sterile technique, to you getting a cold after surgery. We rarely ever know. I had a young patient after implants whose child had k. pnemoniae infection. She had to take him to ER to get treatment. Two days later she had a red swollen left implanted breast. On removal and culture, guess what bug she had? You got that right. 4 months later she has a new implant with great healing.

Hi there-
I would not want to second-guess your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon- but am happy to give you an understanding of how I would normally advise my own patients...
Implant infections are extremely rare, but they do happen, and when they do, it is appropriate to remove them. Most surgeons would recommend you wait at least 3 months before replacing them, and I think this is a good, conservative approach.