19 Days After Breast Lift/ Breast Augmentation Notice a Foul Smell?

Question

Two days ago i noticed a foul smell and a tiny bit of brownish/reddish discharge on my right incision at the bottom of my areola. Called my doctor and he said to take off steri strips and wash the area. I tried taking off the steri strips and at the bottom of the areola where the discharge is coming from looked like it was peeling off and there was some white gooey stuff. i taped it back and called my Doctors office they said to go in tomorrow so he can remove the steri strips. I'm worried.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  A wound will have an oder.  Cleanse and apply triple antibiotic ointment and cover 2x per day. Contact your Plastic surgeon to be seen today. Best wishes.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

A foul odour may be a sign of infection. Please have your surgeon examine your incision to better assess your concern. Best of luck.

Stewart Wang, MD, FACS · Answer

It's great that you are on top of things and following up closely with your plastic surgeon. Any foul smell after surgery needs to be looked at. Most of the time it's superficial and minor issues. Occasionally, it may signal a deeper infection. A thorough examination by your surgeon will most likely get to the bottom of this issue. I hope things worked out well and it's minor so that you can enjoy your new breasts.

	Best Wishes,

	Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	You are doing the correct thing in following up closely with your plastic surgeon. You should have some peace of mind, that the most common cause of the “foul smell” in your case would be fluid accumulation underneath the stairs strips. It is very likely that you will find that once these tapes have been removed, the incision line cleaned, and the area has been “aired out”, that the  foul smell will  dissipate.  Of course, there are other “more concerning” causes of foul smell;  this is why close follow-up with your plastic surgeon is appropriate.

	Best wishes

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question.  Drainage is an indication of delayed healing.  The source of this can be superficial or deep.  A superficial infection is nor as serious as a deep infection that involves the implant.  Hang in there and see your plastic surgeon for an evaluation.

	All the best,

	Dr Remus Repta

19 Days After Breast Lift/ Breast Augmentation Notice a Foul Smell?

Answers (8)

Answer: Foul Smell after Breast Lift/Augmentation?

Answer: Foul Smell after Breast Lift/Augmentation?

Answer: The drainage can involve superficial or deep area

Answer: The drainage can involve superficial or deep area

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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19 Days After Breast Lift/ Breast Augmentation Notice a Foul Smell?

Answers (8)

Answer: Foul Smell after Breast Lift/Augmentation?

Answer: Foul Smell after Breast Lift/Augmentation?

Answer: The drainage can involve superficial or deep area

Answer: The drainage can involve superficial or deep area

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.