It's been 9 days since my implant deflation. I'm having pain on the right side. Is this normal?

Question

8 yo saline implants deflated in office w/ local. The right side was painful and I felt something "pop" during the procedure. 9 days after the procedure and I'm still having pain on the right side above the breast. I can feel a firm mass (guessing envelope) on the medial side of right breast. I describe the pain as someone punching me in the chest, slightly knocking the air out of me. No pain or tenderness on left side. I plan to see the plastic surgeon to follow up as soon as I can get in.

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Does there appear to be any indicaton of infection?Swelling tenderness warmth redness etcIf not, pain may be the capsule contracting around the deflated implant or possibly a small amount of bleeding from the needle used during the procedure.As long as there appears to be no signs of infection and an area of the breast is not enlarging(bleeding)all should be fine til you see your doctor.Best of luck

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The first thing is to make sure you don't have an acute process going on - such as fever, chills, sweats, redness, worsening symptoms, etc.  If you do have any of these then you need to contact your PS with some urgency.  Call him or her and then be prepared to be seen sooner rather than later.If not, then there is less urgency and you can be seen as soon as practical but not necessarily on an urgent basis.  You could be feeling the edge of the deflating implant, some swelling, a thickened capsule, the after effects of some bleeding, etc.  All of these should resolve on their own over time.But the deflation process is not as controlled as most surgical processes are.  It involves the blind insertion of a sharp needle, without the ability to track that needles progress directly.  So there is a greater chance of (for example) some extra bleeding than there might be for a procedure done under direct vision.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100

Susan Kolb, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is not recommended to deflate saline implants, as there can be bacteria and fungus in the saline which leads to complications.  I have personally seen many patients with significant problems from this practice.

It's been 9 days since my implant deflation. I'm having pain on the right side. Is this normal?

Answers (3)

More Breast Implant Removal Questions

What creams and lotions do you recommend for skin elasticity? (photos)

CONFUSED! Is a capsulectomy (partial/full) or no capsulectomy necessary when removing silicone breast implants? Pros and Cons?

Can someone please recommend a very good experienced surgeon for explant in Istanbul for me?

Seroma after explant and capsulectomies. It is possible that this will resolve or do I need to insist he take another look?

Do the irregularities after explanation represent the original inframammary crease and/or adhesions? How to resolve? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS