Is this yellow swelling a seroma? Do seromas cause anemia? What should i do? (photos)

I appreciate your question.

I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon as every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you are healing at this time.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Easy answer first.  Seromas do not cause anemia.  A seroma is a collection of fluid, usually the non-cellular portion of blood also known as serum.  This collection of fluid is not in tissue but a swelling strictly of liquid.  It is difficult to determine from your pictures if this bump is merely a swelling of subcutaneous tissue or separate fluid collection.I am certain your Board Certified plastic surgeon would be able to diagnose the difference and answer your question as to what this bump is on your next office visit.  The cause of your mild anemia may be blood loss during surgery, or it is possible if you did not do a pre-operative blood test, that this anemia may have predated your surgery.  There are many people walking around with lower than normal red blood cell counts who are not, in fact, anemic but just have lower blood cell counts than the average person.  Finally, what you should do at this point is present all the data that you presented to RealSelf to your personal plastic surgeon, and ask him or her these questions.  I am certain that he or she will be happy to clear up your concerns.  

Based on the symptoms you described I encourage you to schedule an appointment with your surgeon for an evaluation.  It may be normal swelling related to surgery, but it warrants a visit since you have other symptoms along with the swelling.  Best wishes.

It is important that you contact your board certified plastic surgeon to discuss any concerns you may have following your recent breast augmentation surgery. Your surgeon will want to be aware of any questions you may have.   Best wishes!

it could be either, but the anemia could be due to excess blood loss during the procedure.  the swelling appears to be lateral to the breast on the chest wall, or at least at the lateral margin of the breast. since the swelling had increased at day 6, an infection such a atypical mycobacterial infection could be developing ( this could result in an infected seroma). any drainage should be cultured for atypical mycobacteria and for fungi and bacteria  I would expect a hematoma to have more associated bruising  which you do not seem to have.  infections around foreign bodies can result in rejection of the implant usually through the incision line.  you need be checked often to find out what is developing particularly if infection is suspected as you could develop septicemia ( organisms in the blood stream, a serious issue ).

I'm sorry to hear of your distress.The most common cause of acute discomfort swelling and a sensation of liquid 5 days after breast augmentation would be a hematoma.  A lowering of your hemoglobin and hematocrit would also be compatible with bleeding. In addition a yellow discoloration can also be a sign of bleeding.Insist that your surgeon perform an ultrasound on the area to see if there is a fluid collection.  If there is an it is likely blood blood must be surgically removed, the implant cavity cleansed and the implants can be replaced.