Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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How to Recognize Infection Symptoms After Breast Augmentation?

HI, I got a breast augmentation 1 month ago and my right breast is still red on the top and kinda tender (more than the other one). I don't have a fever. My doctor has already had me on 2 courses of different antibiotics but I don't know if I have an infection...

How can I detect if this is an infection or just normal recovery from the breast implants? Thanks

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by SELENA111 in CHICAGO

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You Need to be Re-Evaluated By Your Plastic Surgeon to Determine if You Have a Breast Infection

Infection following breast augmentation is a serious complication that can result in patients losing their breast implants. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, drainage, pain, fever and occasionally flu like symptoms. When any of these symptoms occur, they should be investigated aggressively. This may include laboratory studies, ultrasonography, and possibly aspiration of fluid within the breast pocket for culture. It’s important that you be re-evaluated by your plastic... more

Breast Aug Infection

From what you describe above it sounds like you might have an infection. Your surgeon would be the best judge of the possibility of infection. It's possible there is just some inflammation from the surgery but time will tell if there is no improvement in your symptoms. Talk to your surgeon again and discuss your concerns.

Signs of Infection after BBA

Here are a few signs: redness warmth swelling pain/tenderness malaise systemic fever purulent discharge from the incision sites In your case, you may want to get an ultrasound to r/o a collection such as a seroma, hematoma, or unlikely a galactocele. You certainly have a few signs of inflammation. Go see your surgeon again. Sincerely, Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)

Detecting infection after breast augmentation

Hello, It sounds like you may have an infection or a seroma or both. It is relatively uncommon to have redness in your breast, especially asymmetrically, one month after a breast augmentation. You should be seeing your plastic surgeon as he/she can examine you and determine the likely hood of an infection. Oral antibiotics would be your first line choice followed by IV antibiotics, followed by removal and replacement of the implant with a drain. All the best, Dr... more

Possible breast implant infection

Signs of an implant infection vary but may demonstrate redness, swelling, fever, drainage, pain, warnth, shiny skin, etc

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Signs of Breast Implant Infection

Breast Implant infection usually demonstrates signs and symptoms that include redness, swelling, fevers, drainage, fatigue, and general ill feeling. Persistent redness this far after breast augmentation surgery could be the result of an infection and may require hospitalization and IV antibiotics. In some cases, washout of the pocket and placement of a new implant can spare patients from requiring implant removal.

Signs of Potential Breast Implant Infection

Regarding: "How to Recognize Infection Symptoms After Breast Augmentation? HI, I got a breast augmentation 1 month ago and my right breast is still red on the top and kinda tender (more than the other one). I don't have a fever. My doctor has already had me on 2 courses of different antibiotics but I don't know if I have an infection... How can I detect if this is an infection or just normal recovery from the breast implants? Thanks" The classic signs of infection more

If a patient is worried about infection after breast augmentation, see your surgeon promptly.

The person best to evaluate you for possible infection is your surgeon. I'm sure he has experience with infection and can recognize and treat the problem. Some redness, even asymmetric, after surgery is not uncommon. Nevertheless, see your surgeon.

Breast augmentation and redness

Without formally examiing you, it woudl be difficult to tell you what is wrong. If you are concerned about a possible infection, then I suggest you speak to your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Infection seems probable, but does it involve the implant?

Hello, Tenderness and redness 1 month after breast augmentation are not normal. The question is really whether or not your implant is involved. If it is, the antibiotics will not work. If it is not, they might. A fever is not always part of the picture. Follow the problem along with your surgeon closely. At some point he might need to do something about this besides giving you antibiotics

Not normal after one month

Selena, It is not normal to have redness and tenderness one month after a breast augmentation. Both of these symptoms are suggestive of infection. Your surgeon is probably trying to salvage the implant with the courses of antibiotics that you are taking. Close follow up with your surgeon is critical until the implant declares itself. A sonogram may help the diagnosis. Good luck!

You need to follow very closely with your surgeon

If there is any question that you have an infection, then you need to follow very closely with your surgeon. If it is a superficial skin infection, then you may be able to treat it with antibiotics. However, if you have a deep infection or an infection of the implant itself, there is a chance that you may need to have the implant removed.

Please go back to your doctor

What you are describing is not normal for breast augmentation recovery. It is very possible you have an infection and antibiotics usually won't fix it. Best to go back to your plastic surgeon right away for another exam. Good luck!

You need to follow up with your surgeon

With the history you give, there is a chance that the implant is involved. Frequent evaluations by your surgeon would be necessary. If it is determined to be an issue, the implant would need to come out, with analysis of the fluid surrounding it to see what type of bacteria is involved. After a suitable timeframe, 4-6 weeks, it can be replaced if otherwise conditions have become stable. Hope this helps!

You probably do have a low grade infection.

Hi. In my opinion, you need to be seeing your surgeon at least twice a week until your right breast is entirely normal or until it becomes obvious that the implant is infected.

Good question

Your recovery already is not normal. You have had 2 different antibiotics, and likely a third just prior to the surgery. You are still red, and tender. Is the breast firmer than the other side? Signs of infection include fever, pain, swelling, local heat. I would agree- don't doctor this yourself. Your ps should be in the loop asap. best to you www.drkasden.us scottkifnw@msn.com

Implant infections are usually obvious- you'll know

Hi there- Congratulations on your new implants... While it is possible you have an infection of your skin and soft tissues (called cellulitis), an infection that involves your implants would be very rapidly progressive and associated with high fevers, worsening pain, and worsening swelling (even on antibiotics)... you would not be in doubt about whether or not you had a problem. The only thing that makes this better is to take the implants out. If you have cellulitis, it is important to... more