What Are Signs of a Hematoma After Breast Augmentation?

The signs of a hematoma are often very obvious and dramatic in appearance.  A patient would want to watch out for are swelling (rapid), extensive bruising and significant, constant or worsening pain as these are the three warning signs for a post-operative hematoma.  If you are concerned that you might have developed a post-operative hematoma, I would strongly recommend immediate follow up with your operating surgeon as these typically require quick surgical intervention to prevent the development of secondary complications. With that said, following a breast augmentation with sub-muscular placement, a patient should expect some swelling and discomfort that is often asymmetric in severity.  Often this discomfort is more prominent on the patient's more dominant (handed) side than the other, but follow up with your operating surgeon is always recommended.  I hope this helps!

Fortunately, complications are rare after breast augmentation. Hematoma would look like increased swelling and discoloration. It would need immediate attention. With careful preparation and efficient surgery this complication remains rare

Hematomas are certainly a major concern.  I tell patients to call immediately if One breast is MUCH more swollen and MUCH more painful.  Slight differences are normal.  However when in doubt call your surgeon.  He should be happy to see you and checkGood Luck

A hematoma is a collection of blood within the surgical site. Patients may notice sudden swelling or enlargement of the breast, accompanied by pain or discomfort. The affected breast may also appear bruised or have a bluish discoloration. Additionally, there might be tightness or a feeling of pressure in the breast. If any of these symptoms manifest after breast augmentation, it's imperative to seek immediate medical attention from your plastic surgeon, as timely intervention can prevent further complications.

Breast augmentation by placing the implant under the muscle can be simple procedure and quite often both breast do not settle at the same time. The swelling takes time to settle down and the implants also take time to drop down. Both implants drop at different rates. A hematoma can be a surgical emergency and is often picked up the treating team and dealt with. Again both breast implants can have different degree of post operative pain after surgery.

Hello there, this is a good question. If there is a signifiant size discrepancy, I would see your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to rule out a hematoma. When there is a hematoma, it will be fairly obvious and sometimes surgical intervention is required to prevent further complications. Minor asymmetries may result in swelling and ice packs and wearing a mermaid strap may be advantageous for you.

Signs of a hematoma after breast augmentation include a sudden increase in breast size that happens usually in one side. 

Signs of a hematoma may include progressively increasing size of breast, pain, firmness, and, maybe, excessive bruising.  It is not uncommon to have one side feel more swollen/tender.  You may be sleeping on your left side during the night, which is causing fluid to accumulate more on the left with gravity pulling fluid to that side. It would be more reassuring if the pain/swelling improve throughout the day as you're out and about.  Regardless, you should be following up with your surgeon to discuss these concerns.

Slight asymmetries and differences in discomfort from side to side are pretty common.  Sign of a hematoma is typically sudden swelling, pain and bruising.  If you have concerns that you have a hematoma, please see your surgeon immediately.  Good luck.Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

It is entirely normal to have one side that feels a bit more tender or swollen than the other.  This will settle with time.  Haematomas are most common in the first day or two after surgery and become much less likely as time progresses.  Usually they are fairly obvious with one side being obviously tighter, bigger, more painful and more bruised. If the swelling and discomfort tends to settle during the day this would also point towards a more natural post-operative recovery period than a haematoma.  If you are at all concerned though you should contact your surgical team who will be more than happy to see you, check everything is ok and give you some reassurance.

If there is ever any concern, I always would recommend being evaluated by your surgeon as your surgeon would be able to say if the slight asymmetry is due to a hematoma or not.Usually a hematoma is pretty self evident with extreme tightness on that side, some bruising down in the lower pole of the breast, and excessive upper pole in comparison to the other breast.A hematoma is not emergent but it is urgent.  Usually the bleeding has subsided and the treatment is to evacuate the hematoma, wash the implant thoroughly and make certain the bleeding has subsided.  A hematoma that is left alone will usually result in a capsular contracture of that breast.Hope that helps.