What does the light red and yellow color mean? - Draining after a Hematoma, 2 weeks post BA. (photo)

Question

I had a BA on Jan. 25th 2018. I was doing so well and even started massages until my right incision started dripping out dark red blood at Week 2. I let my surgeon know and he told me it was in fact a hematoma, internal bleeding. Due to this, my surgeon took me back to the Operating Room and took out the implant, cleaned everything and took out excess blood and gave me a drain for my right breast. My color started at red but now has stayed at light pinkish/reddish and yellow. What does it mean?

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The fluid in the drain tube is appropriate.  Continue to follow the specific instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
I'm not saying implant massage caused your hematoma, but I also can't say that it didn't. Drainage from an implant pocket does not necessarily mean anything. However, the use of drains in breast implant surgery is controversial, due to the high risk of implant contamination, which in turn leads to capsular contracture. My recommendation is to have your surgeon remove them as soon as possible, and no later than 3 days after surgery. Your risk of capsular contracture is much higher than average, due to the hematoma and the use of drains (and possibly the use of a periareolar incision). Regardless, massage does not offer benefit in either prevention or treatment of capsular contracture, nor does Singulair/Accolate or high dose vitamin E. As the years go on, fewer surgeons are recommending it because of the lack of benefit and possible risk of complications. If your surgeon isn't an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in revision breast surgery, you may want a second opinion from a few if you have problems after being fully healed, around 6 months. Best of luck.

Roberto Gonzalez, MD · Answer

What you are describing coming out of the drain is normal, initially may be more red since the hematoma was drained and the pocket rinsed.  As the edema and fluid start decreasing,  and there is less residual hematoma, the body fluids become yellowish.  Continue to f/u with your surgeon regarding the management of your drain. Hope this helps.

Himansu Shah, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photo. That is completely normal what you are draining is called serous fluid and it does not have blood. This means that based the volume it drains if it is low enough the drain will be removed soon. It is to have a close follow up with your board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
The drainage you are describing is serous drainage, its a pinkish-yellow color. This is completely normal. At first the drainage was red because it was draining any residual hematoma.  Serous drainage is normal and a part of the healing process.

What does the light red and yellow color mean? - Draining after a Hematoma, 2 weeks post BA. (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: What does the light red and yellow color mean?

Answer: What does the light red and yellow color mean?

Answer: Drainage color

Answer: Drainage color

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What does the light red and yellow color mean? - Draining after a Hematoma, 2 weeks post BA. (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: What does the light red and yellow color mean?

Answer: What does the light red and yellow color mean?

Answer: Drainage color

Answer: Drainage color

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.