How much fluid should leak out when you don't have tubes put in after a breast augmentation?

This fluid is not normal. You need to be followed very closely by your surgeon. You are at risk of losing that implant. Good luck.

Hi nervousnellyyy,

I am sorry to hear about what you are experiencing. It is difficult to ascertain what this is and its causes. It is best that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon to have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Yes, you definitely need to go back to be checked again.   In my opinion, you and all patients should be followed until the healing process is complete. And, with Breast Implant patients, I see all my patients every year for life at no charge.  

Sorry to hear that you are going through this.  You need to be in constant communication with your surgeon and get seen often.  Antibiotics do not prevent infection and if the implant becomes infected it will likely need to be taken out.  Thus, staying the course is not a good answer.  Get seen frequently by your doc.  Let them know the drainage continues.  Perhaps a drain needs to be placed?  Perhaps a revision needs to be done immediately?  There are many variables here too much for an internet based website like this you need to see your surgeon and if not getting complete answers get seen by another board certified plastic surgeon for a second opinion.  Good luck!

Thank you for your question.I would not consider leaking after breast augmentation to be “normal”.  It sounds from your symptoms that you have a seroma that has spontaneously drained through your incision. You need close follow up with your surgeon to avoid potential capsular contracture or infection of the implant. Dr. L

Hi thank you for your question. In my experience it is not normal at all. I do not routinely use drains after breast augmentation and do not see fluid drainage problems (normally the body absorbs any fluid that might collect from the operation).As the fluid is continuing to drain the most important things to do are find the cause of the persistent fluid and to prevent your implants getting infected. I suggest you keep in regular contact with your surgeon.Best wishes.

Hello,This should not be happening at this point. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a full evaluation to determine what’s going on. You do not want to lose the implant. Best,

there is no need for drainage tubes after a BA. nor should you be draining any fluid at 2 weeks. you may have had a seroma with trapped fluid. your plastic surgeon needs to keep an eye on you to make sure that the drainage is decreasing and that everything looks OK at the incision. david berman md

Thank you for your question. There should be no significant fluid drainage from your incision after breast augmentation.The fact that you have a lot of fluid drainage 2 weeks after your breast augmentation may indicate that your breast implant is at risk of being exposed.You need to see your plastic surgeon for an examination in person. If there is a hole between the skin incision and your implant there is a very high risk of infection and the implant should be removed allowing you to heal before the implant was replaced at a later date.  Please see your surgeon for an examination as soon as you can.

No, it is not normal to have fluid leaking from the breast after breast augmentation. I would recommend that you have an ultrasound looking for the source of the fluid and possibly have that fluid drained and examined for culture. If it's an old hematoma, usually that fluid is more of a chocolate syrup consistency and not clear as you state. I would stay in close contact with your operating plastic surgeon. Best of luck.