How long does hematoma swelling from implants last?

Thank you for your question. A hematoma can be very mild or very pronounced in its presentation. A mild one may induce slightly more swelling and increased bruising and will likely resolve on its own. A more severe hematoma can result in dramatic asymmetry in terms of swelling, feelings of light headedness due to loss of blood, severe bruising, and can be rapidly growing. If you every experience the latter, then I would contact your surgeon immediately and if you have trouble, you may even go to the ER. Larger hematomas often have to be surgically drained.  After drainage, your breast will remain swollen for much longer than the other side until all the bruising is also cleared.  I would estimate a few weeks for things to resolve.

Hematoma after breast surgery can be very discerning.  After secondary surgery to evacuate the hematoma, you can remain more swollen than the other side for several weeks.  This is because of the repeated trauma to the tissues in that breast after 2 surgeries, as well as the possibility of  bruised tissues (blood that seeped into the breast tissues and not in the pocket of the breast implant).  The higher position of the implant may be due to the swelling, but it also may be because of the pocket itself.  You should follow closely with your surgeon to be sure that you are not developing a capsular contracture, or a secondary seroma or hematoma.

Hematomas after breast augmentation occur less than 1% of the time. They most often occur shortly after surgery, and are usually painful. If you had a hematoma surgically treated two days after surgery, and it is now a few weeks later, the size of the (twice) operated breast may still be a little larger; however, it should be approaching the size of the unaffected breast.

It would be good to check in with your plastic surgeon, and have them take a look, especially if it is still painful. You want to be certain that fluid is not accumulating around the implant. Post operative hematomas have been associated with a higher rate of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture tends to occur months to years after surgery.

There can be some swelling in the breast tissues for several weeks after hematoma evacuation, which could be what you are experiencing. A recurrent hematoma is also possible. It would be best to have your surgeon examine you to make sure this is not the case.

Make sure to consult your surgeon again to make sure there is no further accumulation of fluid or blood in the pocket.

Bleeding after surgery is a frequent cause of capsular contracture.

While hematoma after breast implants is rare, it can happen.  Since you required a second surgery on that side to remove the hematoma, you are likely going to experience extra swelling on that side.  It may take several weeks to months for the swelling to completely resolve and the tissues to settle.  If you post before and after pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice.  

 

Good Luck.

Sorry to hear that you experienced a hematoma after breast augmentation surgery.  It is a well known complication occurring less than 1% of the time.  It sounds like your surgeon determined that the blood collection was sufficient to warrant drainage and did the right thing on post op day number 2.  Usually, the healing sequence of the breast is pushed back on the order of 3-6weeks, meaning that in terms of the appearance, softness, and overall healing of the breast, the right breast will likely lag behind the left breast by 3-6 weeks.  It is important to follow your surgeon's dressing and activity restrictions as you allow the healing process to progress.

Breasts that have had a hematoma and secondary surgery so soon after the first surgery are more likely to have more swelling. Give it time to settle down.  

Bleeding is very uncommon after breast augmentation, less than one percent, and prompt drainage is key. The breast should adopt a shape like the other if drained quickly. Bruising and blood within the tissue can prolong the healing and greatly, and increase the risk of a capsular contracture. keep in tough with your surgeon for advice.

Best of luck,

peterejohnsonmd

Swelling from a postoperative hematoma can take several weeks or more for it to substantially resolve. The higher position of the implant may not be related to this swelling, however. This can be better discerned by feeling where the crease or "bottom" of the implant is on that side compared to the other side.