Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it? (PHOTO)

Question

I'm a healthy 28 yr old woman who got intramuscular butt implants and fat grafting to the butt in early Feb. Almost 4 months later there's still a painful hole in the incision draining a thin yellowish fluid. My PS has stitched the incision up twice, but it keeps on opening. He says he could try stitches again and believes dead fat is draining. No infection. Is this normal at almost 4 months post op, and what should be done about it? Should I go to another surgeon for a second opinion?

Alexander Aslani, MD · Answer

In the early phase minor problems with butt implants are frequent and not alarming. Usually they heal up without any action by secondary intention.If it is draining after 3 months you have likely developed a fistula. Even these eventually heal up.......but a common problem that surgeons try to squeeze implants into buttock muscles where the actual implant is almost bigger than the enttire muscle.These never cease to drain and ultimately lead to removal.Get a wound swab and consult with your surgeon the size of your implants. if chronic fistula , implant removal and proper size placement later might be the road to go

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

SORRY!! Unfortunately, this buttock implant needs to be removed ASAP.  Once the incision and pocket have healed completely and there are no signs of drainage, then you can consider re-insertion of a new buttock implant.  Thank you for your question about permanent buttock augmentation with FDA approved, semi-solid silicone buttock implants.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding what to do with your buttock.  I specialize in buttock implant insertion.  If you have any more questions regarding buttock implants, buttock implant surgery, buttock implant insertion, or buttock implant revision, please contact my office. Since buttock implant surgery is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience buttock implant insertion.   Do your research.   If you cannot find an experienced, buttock implant plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello.
Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. It is unusual for an incision to open 3 months post op. I will suggest following up with your surgeon as he is the one who knows your procedure best. Good luck with recovery.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

This would be what I would call a 'fistula'- something that would not close with a stitch. This would require surgery to remove the fistula and close it. If the Doctor has not offered that, I would advise you seek a second opinion.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

It is likely still leaking fluid because there is communication all the way into the pocket of either one or both implants. If so, the implant(s) are no longer salvageable and need to be removed, period. Once the wound is then healed and about 6 months have past, the implant(s) can be replaced but preferably through a double paramedian buttock crack incision not a single one. Unfortunately the single central cleft incision is notorious for wound healing complications such as yours thus i had converted over to the double incision about 5+ years ago.  Glad to help.

Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it? (PHOTO)

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Answer: #RealselfQ: Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it?

Answer: #RealselfQ: Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it?

Answer: Incision opening and leaking fluid still 3 months postop

Answer: Incision opening and leaking fluid still 3 months postop

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Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it? (PHOTO)

Answers (7)

Answer: #RealselfQ: Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it?

Answer: #RealselfQ: Butt implant incision open, leaking 3+ months post op What should be done about it?

Answer: Incision opening and leaking fluid still 3 months postop

Answer: Incision opening and leaking fluid still 3 months postop

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Implants

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