Will I have to have my implant removed one day due to this? Everything I read says I will.

Having mastitis does not mean your implants will need to be removed.  In most cases, your infection will resolve and everything will be fine.  Rarely, your implant could become infected as well.  You may be at risk for contracture of your implant.  Please see your plastic surgeon for a follow up at some point so he or she can check up on things.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

Hello,I would not assume you would need to remove the implant. If your mastitis is resolving, then you should be fine. Best of luck!

Your breast augmentation may very well turn out to be OK.  Stay with your plastic surgeon and follow their recommendation.  Treat with antibiotics and follow closely.  Unless the implant itself becomes infected, it will probably respond and be fine.  You may be at some increased risk for developing a capsular contracture, however.

I appreciate your concern and am so sorry to hear about all the stresses you have been dealing with.  In response to your question over whether or not your implant will need to be removed, the answer is not necessarily.  The infection may be confined to the breast gland, skin, and/or subcutaneous tissue and may not be associated with the breast implant which is surrounded by a capsule.  If the infection resolves with a course of antibiotics and you otherwise feel fine with a normal exam, then there is no need to remove the implant.  If the infection worsens or does not respond to antibiotics, that may signal that the infection is deep enough that it involves the implant/capsule.  In that situation where the infection is not improving, removal may be appropriate.   I would advise you to stay in touch with your plastic surgeon and keep him/her aware of your progress.  I hope it works out for you!

The fact that your mastitis is being treated with antibiotics and is resolving you are heading in the right direction. There is a possibility you may develop a capsular contracture so I would move your implants around your pocket on a regular basis. If any tightness is appreciated I would bring this to the attention of your plastic surgeon immediately as there may be conservative ways to address this prior to reoperating.