How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Augmentation?

I had breast augmentation on July 26th. My right side healed perfectly, while the left filled with fluid, which burst the sutures a week later. For the past 3 months, it has drained. My ps has gone in once, removed it and cleaned out the pocket. She also has had to go back and reclose the area, trimming the bad skin. The skin is thin, and muscle under is spongy. We are removing that implant tomorrow. How long should we leave it out, and are there any other things to watch for?

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infection 3 months post-op

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by AElizabeth in Houston, TX

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Removal of breast implant for infection

This is not a common problem. I'm sorry that you developed an infection. It does happen. For breast augmentation, I have only had to remove one implant in nine years of practice. I placed a new implant at three months without problem. This is more common with tissue expanders in breast reconstruction because the expanders are textured and the overlying tissue can be tenuous from an aggressive mastectomy. In this set of patients, waiting 4-6 months is common. It... more

Extrusion of an Implant

My experience in not vast in this department. In twenty years of private practice, I have only removed 3 infected implants following breast augmentation surgery. None of these patients had me as the original surgeon. Each and every time, I have felt that the augmented breast had too large an implant given the stature of the patient. If the skin becomes so thin that it appears translucent, the implant is PENDING extrusion. It is better to remove that implant... more

Jonathan Berman, MD

Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drberman.com

You are worried about infection after augmentation...

It is very unfortunate that you have to go through this but it is one of the known complications and could happen to anybody. I have not had to remove an implant for infection but I have dealt with many patients coming to my office after having breast augmentation in south America who have had infections. My treatment is removal of the implant, washing out the pocket, checking cultures, and antibiotics. I let the infection resolve and pocket close for 6 to 9 months.

When to Replace a Breast Implant After Removal

I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you're having with your breast implants. I agree with previous responses that at this point it seems appropriate to remove the implant. I generally wait three to six months before replacing an implant after removal because of infection. This gives adequate time to resolve the infection and tissues to heal. During this time, try to be patient and follow the advice of your plastic surgeon. The better healed and more... more

Removal is the answer for now in my opinion

Yes removal is the answer for now in my opinion.... wait at least 3 months. If the surgeon felt that the wound closure was tight, then it may be wise to switch out both implants for smaller ones, maintain symmetry, and to reduce the changes for extrusion... good luck

Wait at least 6 months from the time infection has resolved

You need to take out the implant first and then wait until all signs of infection are gone and all your tissues have healed, and then wait at least 6 more months before attampting another surgery if your still up for it. Complicated and very rare issue.

Andre Aboolian, MD

27 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Waiting for re-augmentation after implant infection

Hello, Sorry to hear about your experience. The answer about timing depends on each patient but it is usually 30-90 days for most surgeons. The bigger question is why did you get a seroma and infection and wound dehiscence (wound healing problem) in the first place. Answering this will help prevent the event from recurring. It will also be good to consider placing the implant in a fresh pocket as opposed to just entering and modifying the old pocket. Full... more

Breast Augmentation - How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Augmentation?

I am obviously very sorry that you're having this problem and, just as obviously, there is a limited amount of information that I can give via this forum. Being able to see and examine the patient, and know what she looked like before, the surgery that was done, etc., is paramount in working out a plan. That being said, there are some general principles, and it sounds like you're heading in the right direction. First of all, if there is an ongoing infection, the... more

Infection Around Breast Implant

It is very difficult to clear an infection as long as a foreign body such as a breast implant is present. After a trial of antibiotics, as your surgeon has provided,removal of your infected implant is indicated. Cultures are important to identify the organism for effective selection of antibiotic. Removal of the capsule would help eliminate any "biofilm" residual from bacteria. Occasionally the implant that appears uninvolved can be seeded with bacteria from the infected side so that both... more

How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Aug?Answer:

I agree that the implant really has to come out and you are doing the right thing…And it is very rare. I have had maybe 3 in 18 years. I would suggest a minimum of 3 months (longer if possible) and I think the suggestion of smaller implants is good too if possible. And in patients with very thin skin, I have had success with Strattice as a reinforcement as well but it is expensive.