Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative (Photo)

Question

Will this heal from the inside out? I started out with a thin line of necrosis. The wound has widen to about 1" x 2". My plastic surgeon who lives 14 hours advised me to treat it with gaze and saline. No plastic surgeon in my area will even look at another surgeons work. I did see a general surgeon who thought the implant was too large and should be removed, was willing to try & surgically reclose but said it could worsen. My plastic surgeon stated that was absolutely the wrong thing to do.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,You cannot close an open, contaminated wound. There doesn't appear to be infection, so wound care should proceed without removing the implant. It appears unlikely the implant will extrude, as well. Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear fixme23,this type of wound is not uncommon after breast lift. It is usually caused by poor blood flow. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon, follow your surgeon's instructions and keep your wound clean and covered. It can take few weeks or months for wound to fully heal. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

The quick answer is that the implants MUST be removed.  Once a breast implant is exposed to the external skin etc. bacteria will adhere to it.  Even if it did heal the risk of getting capsular contracture is about 100%. Or the implant will get infected. The implant needs to be removed for six months.  At that time it can be replaced.  Replacing it earlier doesn't work.  Been there and done that!

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Sorry that you have the wound and some of the pushback from surgeons in your area.  I recommend you get back to your surgeon if at all possible and continue to seek out another surgeon closer to you including a wound care specialist.  These wounds do occur, but your best chance at salvage and optimized wound healing would be with a plastic surgeon and wound specialist helping you.  best wishes.WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Sorry for your problem and I would see a wound care specialist in the area or another plastic surgeon to manage the problem.  That said we all take the Hippocratic oath and as a board certified plastic surgeon I would clearly manage the problem if askedDr Corbin

Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative

Answer: Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative

Answer: Open wound

Answer: Open wound

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative

Answer: Open wound after breast implant. Will this heal without further surgery and/or removal of implant? 7 weeks postoperative

Answer: Open wound

Answer: Open wound

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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