I had an infection. How Long Do I Have to Wait After Implant Removed Before Getting New Ones Placed Back?

In general, if a patient desires to have her breast implants removed and not replaced, she should wait 3-6 months to allow for normal wound healing and then consider a breast implant replacement if needed as the compressed breast tissue will allow for an increase in breast size after explantation.

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Fortunately, infections are rare after breast augmentation.  When they do occur, they can require treatment with antibiotics and local wound care for superficial infections, or even implant removal if the implant is involved.  The time frame for replacement of implants is somewhat controversial.  Most board certified plastic surgeons prefer to wait a minimum of three months, with many waiting up to a year.  Prior to replacement, the following are mandatory:  adequate treatment of the infection, thorough wound healing, and resolution of inflammation.

If the infection involved the implant I would have a higher degree of concern.  I would wait at least 3 months after the infection was completely resolved.

Thank you for the question.

I'm sorry to hear about your complication.

Replacement of your breast implants will require judgment  by your plastic surgeon. If the breast implant and or pocket were absolutely not involved with an infection that we augmentation can be done relatively soon. If, however there was any involvement of the breast implant and or breast implant pocket I would wait at least 6 months ( and closer to one year if  possible)  prior to re-augmentation.

Again,  there are no absolute rules in this situation. Your surgeon will need to make a judgment call based on the findings observed at the breast implant removal operation.

In general, it would behoove you to be as patient as possible.

I hope this helps.

Replacement of implants after an infection can take place once the infection clears up and the tissues have softened. This usually  means that you have to wait 3-6 months at a minimum. 

Most surgeons wait about six months to replace implants if they have been removed due to infection.