Does my breast implant have to be replaced? Incision has left a small hole after stitches broke (Photo)

Hello!  Thank you for your question and photos.  I am sorry to hear of your issues following your procedure.  Your description and photos sound concerning for infection with implant exposure.  This could be a very serious problem, with potential removal of the implant.  You should follow-up with your surgeon as soon as possible in order to have the best chance at salvage of your implant(s).  Surgical consideration should be considered for best success, however, if unsuccessful...explantation may be necessary.  Best wishes.

When you see a "black hole" in a breast implant incision - that usually means you are looking right at the implant.  This is shown in your middle picture.  We call this implant exposure or extrusion.  It can happen for a number of reasons - implant too big, infection, bleeding, suture breakage, etc.The big concern is infection.  If the implant and implant pocket is contaminated with bacteria, even if the surgeon re-sutures the incision closed, there is a very high risk that the wound will break down again.In the third photo, the incisional tissue looks like it is thinning out again.  Unfortunately, if this continues, you may have to have the implant temporarily removed, until the infection and inflammation all settles down.

I am sorry about your difficulties with surgery. It is unfortunate but these things do happen with surgery. The issue you present is an open wound with an exposed implant I presume. If that is the case If you were my patient I would take you back to  the operating room and wash the pocket out with antibiotic solution and place a brand new implant. I consider an open wound with an implant to have an implant that is no longer good. I consider that implant contaminated. Follow your surgeon's advice ultimately but do not delay with an open wound and exposed implant. It can get infected really fast.

Thanks for your question.  I'm sorry that you are having problems from your surgery. I'm not sure which of your photos is the most recent, but the two photos that show a black opening look like an exposed implant. In that situation, especially if it's been open for a while, simply reclosing the scar has a low success rate. I would see your surgeon as soon as possible and discuss your options. You may likely need to have a new implant placed in the OR after the pocket has been washed out with antibiotics. In the face of infection that still isn't always successful, and sometimes the implant incisions can reopen and the implant will need to eventually be removed for a period of time for you to recover and clear any infections that are present.  

Sorry, but I am concerned about the presence of implant exposure. If this is the case, the implant will likely need to be removed. You will need to inform your plastic surgeon of the developments; send him/her pictures or see him/her in person soon. Best wishes.

It is very important that you be followed closely by your plastic surgeon.Based on the middle photograph which shows pink and red skin around the hole in your incision my concern would be that if your incision is simply re-closed you are at great risk for infection and loss of implant and worse serious infection.  Once your breast implant is exposed to contamination by external skin bacteria simply re-closing the incision is risky.If that is breast implant showing in that middle photograph you have an extrusion or loss of the implant.Again based on the middle photograph the standard treatment would be removal of the breast implant, allowing a time for you to heal before a second implant is placed.