6 months should be enough time to have your breast implants replaced

Armando Soto, MD answers: Is it too early to have my implants replaced?

I had breast augmentation in August 2007 and had my right implant removed 5 months later. The cause of it was unknown at the time, but after months of my incision not healing, and numerous visits to doctors and countless cultures, an infectious disease specialist was able to pinpoint it to a particular staph infection. I was given antiobiotics which I took for 3-4 months.

My incision healed up in August and I've been given the green light for my redo in February. All doctors have recommended that I wait 6 months. Needless to say, I'm happy, yet fearful about getting my implant back in. Is it too early though? I certainly can wait if need be. Could I get another staph infection? I definitely do not want to repeat what I went through again. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening? Your advice and insight is greatly appreciated!

Armando Soto, MD
14 months ago

Hi there- I'm sorry to hear about your problems. Breast implant surgery is normally very low risk in healthy individuals, but unfortunately (as you understand) it's not a perfect science. I think the 6 month wait between complete healing and re-implantation is more than enough to lower your risk as much as possible.

In other words, there should be no benefit or further lowering of your risk associated with waiting longer than 6 months, as by 6 months, your body has had a lot of time to adequately clear any remaining bacteria (your wound would not have healed in the presence of a significant bacterial load that your immune system did not have under control).

I definitely understand your desire to avoid further problems, but I think your risk is as low as it will get, so go for it!

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