Post-op Breast Implants - is This Muscle Tissue Swelling?

asked 1 year ago by 6051anon in UK
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 837 times
Tags: breasts, 500-549cc, lumps, pain, submuscular, swelling

I had 525 submuscular breast implants a week ago, After 48 hours a swelling appeared over top half of my left breast. Its really hard and painful, pain now spreading to my armpit, The lump is not my implant, It feels as though my implant is trying to drop but what ever this lump is is stopping it and causing the pain, seen my surgeon and he said its not heamotoma as no bruising or redness, not fluid in that area as its so rare so its just muscle and tissue, should I be concerned?

6 answers to Post-op Breast Implants - is This Muscle Tissue Swelling?

Lump of breast

It is difficult to say what the lump you are talking about is. It could be a fluid collection or fatty tissue, or a hematoma or even the muscle. An exam would be helpful.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like a hematoma

If you had a relatively symmetrical starting point and the same sized implants on both sides, what you are describing sounds for sure like a hematoma. Bruising may be a later sign. If your surgeon is in doubt, an ultrasound of both sides would be harmless and would tell if that is the case and if it is, surgical exploration and drainage is the best treatment because blood left around an implant leads to an increased risk of capsular contracture and much delayed healing. more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Post-operative swelling after breast surgery

What you describe sounds like a hematoma. Sometimes even the most experience surgeon does not want to recognize the fact that a hematoma is present. Or perhaps your surgeon believes the hematoma in your case is small enough and it will go away on its own. The definitive way to see if a hematoma is present is to have an ultrasound of your breasts. However if your symptoms are getting better and the swelling is decreasing and the pain is lessening perhaps close observation... more

John M. Anastasatos, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast lump following breast augmentation

I would concur with Dr. Whitt. However, your surgeon is best qualified to make this determination as they are able to examine you..

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Sonogram will detect hematoma after breast augmentation.

Hi. From your description, you have a hematoma that needs to be surgically removed. Not evacuating it will lead to bad result.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after Augmentation

Although your surgeon do not feel that this swelling represented a hematoma, it certainly sounds like a hematoma from your description. The unilateral pain and sweeling to the extent that you describe would certainly accompany a hematoma which may not initially show bruising. I think you should be examined again by your surgeon right away.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

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