Swelling and Pain Underneath Crease Incision After Breast Augmentation? (photo)

Question

500cc sili breast implants 7 wks ago. After 2 wks noticed swelling underneath right crease incision and was leaking. Dr said fluid built up underneath and was just draining out on its own. Culture came back superficial. Put on antibiotics after 3 weeks looked much betterWent back to normal activities massaging etc. now 7 wks PO, the swelling is back incision is red, no drainage, dr told me he has never seen this. Need answers please. back on antibiotics, breast feels ok, incision site hurts.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It is extremely hard to make accurate diagnosis as well as giving crucial decision making clinical decision without an in person physical examination along with a length discussion, please see your local board certified plastic surgeon in your area. If you dont have a surgeon or cant locate your surgeon you can look at the american society of aesthetic plastic surgery website and search by zip code or postal code. I wish you the best success!

Paul Fortes, MD · Answer

Sometimes women will have tenderness at the inframammary incisional
scar or slightly below it.  This area may
feel firm or may even look like a raised “guitar string”.  This may be what you are experiencing 7 weeks
into your recovery.  Anti-inflammatory
analgesic like Advil or Naprosyn and massaging of the area can be helpful.  I expect that the pain will go away over
time.  Always follow-up with your plastic
surgeon so that he or she can determine that your recovery continues on track.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

"Never has seen".... Are you sure your surgeon is as boarded PS??? You have cellulitis of the incision with possible seroma or infected seroma. Seek IMMEDIATE medical care.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

Problems do happen after breast enlargement although they are not common.I am sorry to hear you are having problems. The major concern at this time would be the presence of an infection. If your breast is not hurting and it is just the incision you may just have a localised irritation to the suture that was used. This is what we call a stitch abscess. It is easily treated by just allowing the suture to be removed. Other more serious problms are also possible.Your surgeon should be capable in handling them.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced after breast augmentation surgery. The major concern I would have would be the possibility of infection. If you were to have any further drainage,  additional cultures should be taken (your plastic surgeon should consider the presence of unusual organisms causing this problem and cultures should be sent for  unusual organisms such as Mycobacterium etc.).

	 I would suggest continued close follow-up with your plastic surgeon;  if a fluid collection is present a careful drainage procedure may be indicated.   My concern ultimately would be the potential for breast implant involvement/infection.

	Best wishes.

Swelling and Pain Underneath Crease Incision After Breast Augmentation? (photo)

Answers (6)