Breast Augmentation Q&A

92%

WORTH IT RATING

774 Reviews

Ask a Question

Breast Augmentationbefore & after photos

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Augmentation Cost: $6,200

Learn about Breast Augmentation

3,424 people and 892 doctors are talking about Breast Augmentation

Get Free Email Updates

Breast Implant Infection

asked 1 year ago by xwin12 in Canada
Latest answer by John E. Sherman, MD
Question viewed 619 times
Tags: nipples, infection

I recently had a revision surgery for bottoming out implant. 2 weeks later, I had fever and swelling on one side that last for two days. I started on an antibiotic but the fever and swelling had already settled on their own at that point. But, the nipple incision site is hard, red and swollen. I have been on the antibiotics for one week and no improvement. What should I do? I am panicking because I cannot do another surgery.

14 answers to Breast Implant Infection

Breast Augmentation Infection

Hello and thank you for the question. Its difficult to give you good advice without actually examining you. As my colleagues suggested, if you have florid infection which involves the implant, the treatment is to remove the implant as conservative treatment will most often result in recurrence of infection, subclinical infection, among other things. If the infection is limited to the soft-tissue/skin, it is conceivable that conservative treatment with antibiotics could... more

Glenn Vallecillos, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.BeverlyHillsCosmeticSurgeon.com

Breast Infection or Implant Infection?

There is no practical way to properly diagnose your situation or recommend most appropriate treatment through the Internet. Get in to see your doctor and have him/her follow you closely to determine proper treatment.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Infection

Postoperative infection after breast augmentation is always a distressing complication. There are many ways of handling this problem, the use of oral antibiotics and certainly, if necessary intravenous antibiotics. This may or may not save your implant from being removed. The long-standing presence of infection with your implant may lead to a higher incidence of capsular contracture. It is best to consult your plastic surgeon and ask him/her to explain these problems to you and options that... more

John E. Sherman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

If you think you have an infection, keep close contact with your surgeon.

Best thing to do is to stay in contact with your surgeon and monitor any changes. If your antibiotics are not working, he/she may be able to prescribe you a different medication.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Complications of implants

An implant infection is a terrible complication. It sounds like you had a periareolar augmentation. There is a slighly higher potential reported incidence of this approach having a higher infectious rate but a subclinical infection is manifested by capsular contracture. There's no real answer to what caused it. You need to visit your surgeon for his management of this. It can lead to IV antibiotics and clear. I've seen cellulitis (not surgical)... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast infection

If your symptoms (redness and swelling) don't get better with oral antibiotics, you may need IV antibiotics or to have your implant removed. Unfortunately once your implant is infected, it is very difficult to clear the infection and even if you do - you may get bad scar tissue that forms around the implant (capsular contracture) which would require another surgery to repair. I suggest being very aggressive to get rid of an infection near an implant.

Bivik Rajnikant Shah, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Please see your doctor

Your complains are consistent with possible implant infection . this will not resolve by itself and you need to examined by your physician. If you do not get a satisfactory answer from the original plastic surgeon,seek second opinion.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Infection after breast implants

Infection after breast augmentation is uncommon but the risk is present. Signs such as fever and not feeling well, swelling of the breast or breast skin, and tenderness tend to start about a week after surgery. Some infections will respond to antibiotics so stay in contact with your surgeon, take the medications prescribed, and report any changes in how things look and feel. For some the infection will return as the antibiotic is withdrawn so don't delay a return visit if you need one.... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Infection after breast augmentation

Infections after breast implant surgery can be localized near the skin surface, deep and around the implant or both. When the infection is around the implant the implant needs to come out as soon as possible and stay out for some number of months till the infection clears. If it is near the skin surface it needs to be treated aggressively to prevent it from extending down into the implant. These levels of infection can be difficult to discern at a face to face examination and are... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast infection?

It is unclear exactly what is going on without a complete exam. Definitely follow closely with yoru surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant infection

It is difficult to determine the diagonsis without seeing you. I would recommend you return to your PS to get the appropriate management. Good luck!

Dana Khuthaila, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drkhuthaila.com

Infection After Breast Aug

First, always let your Plastic Surgeon know what your status is. They will be the best resource for you. The best way to recover is t simply take it easy and limit your activity. Don't push yourself too soon. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Breast Implant Infection

I agree with Dr Rand. And if you had a INFECTION just treating it only with antibiotics and not removal of the implant is a very high risk of future infections, subclinical infection that could last months (like the red incision), high occurrence of capsular fibrosis. Please seek medical advise and treatments that are appropriate for the situation. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Questioning implant infection

It is not clear what is going on in your case but what you should do is not to bother with internet questions but to stay very close to the doctor you trusted and follow their advice perfectly. IF you have an implant infection, it will require removal but that isn't clear right now from what you wrote.