7 yrs post op, my right breast is swollen and hot to the touch. Swelling is more prominent lower cleavage. Is this normal?

Question

Swelling is more prominent lower cleavage area of breast. Yesterday I was sure I had the flu. 3 Advil and a nap, I woke with right breast swollen and hot to the touch but flu symptoms gone. Swelling is more prominent at lower cleavage side of breast and size of walnut. Implants are Mentor Memory Gel, surgery year 2007. No traumatic injury has occurred. What could this be and what could cause it just "out of the blue"?

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  No, this is not common to have redness and swelling of the breast that far out from surgery.  You may have developed a cellulitis of the breast for some reason.  It would be extremely unusual for the implant to get infected 7 years out, but not outside the realm of possible.  Best to get in to see your surgeon or a plastic surgeon to be evaluated.  Best of luck.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question. Given your signs and symptoms, evaluation of your breast/implants by a plastic surgeon is warranted. It is very uncommon to develop issues such as you describe several years remote from your initial procedure. Certain implant infection is a concern, but you should be examined soon to evaluate for periprosthetic issues as well as breast pathology.  It is possible that any type of infection can seed to your breast implant pocket, but I would recommend evaluation by a plastic surgeon. Best wishes!  Hope that this helps!

David C. Yao, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for asking. This is hard to know without a physical exam. See a board certified plastic surgeon who can then determine what your needs and options are. It sounds unusual to have those symptoms years after breast implant placement. Best wishes

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question.  It really is not normal for you breast to be behaving in the manner that you are describing.  It sounds like you may have an infection.  I would strongly recommend that you see a local board certified plastic surgeon as soon as possible and be evaluated.  Good luck.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Dear Kelcap, This is definitely not normal and I would be seen by your plastic surgeon as soon as possible.  Implants are not vascular and an infection somewhere else on the body can travel through the blood stream and infect the implants, especially if they are smooth implants.  Be seen by a surgeon this week.Best wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD

7 yrs post op, my right breast is swollen and hot to the touch. Swelling is more prominent lower cleavage. Is this normal?

Answers (9)

Answer: Swollen breast 7 years following breast augmentation.

Answer: Swollen breast 7 years following breast augmentation.

Answer: Swelling and redness 7 years after surgery

Answer: Swelling and redness 7 years after surgery

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7 yrs post op, my right breast is swollen and hot to the touch. Swelling is more prominent lower cleavage. Is this normal?

Answers (9)

Answer: Swollen breast 7 years following breast augmentation.

Answer: Swollen breast 7 years following breast augmentation.

Answer: Swelling and redness 7 years after surgery

Answer: Swelling and redness 7 years after surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mentor Breast Implants

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