Could epilepsy affect my breast augmentation?

Question

3 weeks ago, I had a breast augmentation. I've had a cough for a week now, with thick yellow mucus. This morning I woke up covered in sweat, with a sharp, stabbing pain in my right shoulder which is worse as I take deep breaths. My breasts feel fine aside from the typical tightness, so I am pretty sure they are OK. I have nocturnal epilepsy, maybe it was a seizure? But waking up soaked in sweat scared me, what could it be???

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

You should definitely go see your primary doctor for your symptoms (or even the ER if you can't be seen soon). I would definitely advise you to let your operating surgeon know what is going on so he or she can also follow up with you. You may need labs, chest X-ray, antibiotics, etc...better to get checked out before it gets worse!

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

These symptoms would certainly warrant a visit with your primary physician, breast surgery or not. If I were your surgeon, I would want this treated ASAP, as you are at increased risk of capsular contracture from bacterial seeding of your not-yet-healed breasts. Even without implants, pneumonia with productive cough and fever (night sweats), plus pleuritic referred pain (shoulder) requires diagnosis and treatment.Your symptoms DO sound like pneumonia, pleurisy, and bronchitis, and this should be definitely be diagnosed and treated. See your plastic surgeon, or your regular physician and let your PS know what's going on. Now, please!Sometimes patients do not take deep enough breaths after breast surgery due to the discomfort. They then retain secretions and a pneumonia can result, even if taking post-operative antibiotics for a few days. By now your antibiotic coverage is long gone, and your (probable) infection is causing your fever and chills, not nocturnal epilepsy.Go to the ER if you cannot see your regular physician until Monday. This needs treatment now. I would also consider asking your PS about Singulair therapy to help reduce the risk of capsular contracture in this setting. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest that you are seen as soon as possible by the plastic surgeon and a primary care doctor, perhaps even in the Emergency Room if you cannot get in to see your doctors.  You would probably need a chest X-ray and some other tests, and sound like you need treatment.

Could epilepsy affect my breast augmentation?

Answers (3)

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