I have been diagnosed with a hematoma almost 2 week post op and instructed to just rest and medicate.

Thanks for your question. 
Hematomas after a breast augmentation are usually treated one of two ways: either taking the patient back to surgery for evacuation and placement of a drain, or watchful waiting with compression and frequent follow ups. If the hematoma is very soon after surgery and/or is getting bigger and causing symptoms then I will take the patient back to the operating room to drain the hematoma. If it has arisen many days after surgery, is superficial in location, and is relatively stable in size over time, then continuing to watch it while applying compression may be appropriate. The body should eventually breakdown the hematoma and absorb it, and the pain/firmness at the site should also resolve with time. However, as others have mentioned below if the hematoma is deep and around the implant, letting it sit may increase the risk of capsular contracture. Only your surgeon will be able to know for sure where the hematoma is located, how big it is, and if it is getting bigger. 
If your surgeon is following up with you frequently then he will be able to guide your treatment by monitoring the hematoma. 
Best wishes, 
Rohit Jaiswal, MD 
Plastic Surgeon; Las Vegas, NV 

Sorry for your problems.Hematomas after breast augmentation usually cause extreme swelling, bruising and pain. Fortunately, hematomas are rare and occur less than 1% of the time.If you are having extreme swelling, bruising and pain, then you should have another conversation with your surgeon and consider draining the hematoma and replacing the implant. Hematomas left undrained, can promote scarring which can lead to a breast contracture.Now, if you have mild bruising along the incision with no swelling or pain, these combination of symptoms can be observed and have no long term consequences.Good luck!

Hello,Leaving blood around the implant will not bode well for you; the developing scar capsule around that implant will likely become contracted leading to capsular contracture.  Bands, massage, drugs, and vitamins won't prevent the process from occurring. At 6 days post, a discussion about your options (once it was confirmed by examination or ultrasound) would have been appropriate. Those options at the time were ultrasonic guided aspiration, surgical evacuation, and watchful waiting (doing nothing). Now, it is probably too late to do anything but wait.  If your surgeon isn't an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon, then you should see a few if you develop capsular contracture. Best of luck!

Thank you for your questions. If the swelling is due to bruising or swelling in the tissue itself, then it is probably ok to watch and wait. If however, there is a true hematoma, meaning a collection of blood in the pocket next to the implant, I usually advise patients to proceed with having that removed in surgery. Hematoma around the implant risks a higher rate of capsular contracture down the road. Make sure you discuss your options with your board certified plastic surgeon.Good luck!

Significant hematomas after breast augmentation should generally be drained in the operating room.  If it is a very small hematoma in the skin itself and not in the implant space it may not require a trip to the OR.  Your board certified plastic surgeon should be able to guide you through this problem.  Hematoma is also different from a bruise, or ecchymosis, which may occur normally with surgery.

nilnoc21.    Sorry you’re having this problem. Photos would be helpful, but physical examination is key.  Photos would be helpful, but physical examination is key.Sometimes small hematomas can be observed as the body can absorb them. However, there is an increased incidence of capsular contracture after hematoma. Your plastic surgeon is in the best position to treat you this time because he is most knowledgeable about your particular situation. Best of luck.

Dear nilnoc21,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine which is the best option. Generally speaking, small hematoma can be absorbed by the body but any larger hematoma should be surgically removed. It is best that you stay in touch with your plastic surgeon for further assessment.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery 

Thank you for posting your question. I would not adopt a wait and see policy with a haemtoma as there is risk of infection in the short term and capsular contracture in the long term. It is likely that the swelling is a seroma which can be watched for a week. You should commence antibiotics and have some baseline blood tests done also. Best of luck and hope all settles.  

Minor bleeding after surgery is relatively common and, in most incidences, does not cause any complication or change of the long-term result. The smallest form of hematoma is simply a bruise, which does not result in any change of outcome. Often, medium sized hematoma in various areas after surgeries can be allowed to absorb or resolve on their own. This is a process that could be six months. 

There are a number of factors that determine the treatment
of a hematoma including the location and its growth rate. Without a proper
examination, it is hard to advise on the best course of action. Make sure you
are in contact with your plastic surgeon regarding any changes or schedule a
follow up appointment for assessment.