How likely is it an infection if a scab won’t heal? 5 weeks post Breast Implant Revision. (photos)

Dear Ang,   Thanks for posting your pictures and sorry for your problems. The pictures are confusing , because they have no time line. If your first and third pictures are your current pictures, you do not have to worry, because the wounds appear to be healing quite well.      The middle picture is worrisome . It is not clear if the dark spot is exposed implant or a scab. In any case, if this picture is the current one, you need to be examined by your surgeon, as soon as possible, to find out what is the dark spot and remove the sutures. Hopefully, the dark spot is a scab that can be removed without exposure of the implant.                                    Best of luck,                                             Dr Widder

Dear ang1010,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your first and third photo, it doesn't look alarming. But the second photo shows exposed implant so I'm guessing this is the photo before the revision surgery. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Looking at the area on the middle photo, I'm not sure if that is a scab or actually implant exposure again.  I would definitely contact your plastic surgeon and be seen as soon as possible.  This is a very difficult problem and it appears you have done the right things including a long course of antibiotics and obviously the reclosure.  Unfortunately I would not be surprised if all of your efforts are still destined for failure as larger implants in thin tissue with exposure is a very difficult save.  Best of luck to you.

As others have stated, the lack of a timeline makes it hard to know what is going on. Of course, you have to be examined in the office of your plastic surgeon. The middle picture showing an open wound has a visible implant - I am hoping this is the picture before your recent reoperation. Any redness, open area, drainage, pain, or swelling after reoperation for an exposed implant is concerning, so you need to be promptly seen to make sure the healing is proper. Sometimes you simply can't get away with the same size implant if you've had healing problems and might need to downsize BOTH sides in order to get a stable, healed wound. However, this is conjecture in your case as nobody here on RS can counsel you without an examination.

Thank you for your question. It's difficult to say for sure, but I would just keep in close contact with your Plastic Surgeon. The skin in that area is very, very thin, and scarred - and will not appear "normal." Sometimes trying to salvage an implant with a course of antibiotics works; most times it doesn't. So, if you are concerned, keep in close contact with your Plastic Surgeon. Worst case - you have to have the implant removed, allow everything to heal, and then try the procedure again in 3-6 months. Best of luck! 

The simple answer to your question is maybe. More importantly, the middle photo appears to show a visible breast implant and not so much of a scab. It is almost impossible to save a large breast implant with a dehisced inframammary incision. Some surgeons are willing to try to save the implant but I personally think this is a waste of time when removing the implant and replacing can actually decrease healing time.