Underarm incision post BA infected? (photo)

Question

I am 2 weeks post op (breast augmentation) and one of my incisions suddenly looks very red. I am very worried. Is it infected?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

The redness seems to be limited to the incision skin only.  Most likely this is just reactive erythema after the suturing.  It does not look like an infection that you need to be worried about.  If you are concerned, contact your plastic surgeon's office to be seen in person.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

Since there has been a change in your post op course, please contact your surgeon so he/she can examine you and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan at this time.The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Redness can be a sign of infection, especially when accompanied by excessive warmth and discharge. I suggest you see your surgeon as soon as possible to have it checked out, just to be on the safe side.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question. Only your plastic surgeon can make the determination about whether there is an infection or not at this point. You should keep the area dry and make an appointment with your surgeon for a wound check up. Best, Dr. ALDO :)

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The photos is a very limited view. If you have concerns that you feel it is very red, then I suggest that you see your surgeon.

John L. Clayton, MD, PhD, MPH · Answer

Thanks for your question. Your incision does not looked infected. The scar looks immature and slightly raised. It should soften with time and flatten. Arm pit scars are slower to heal and remodel than scars in other areas of the body. It's not unusually for a scar to remain red and raised during the early scar remodeling process. Try to be patient. Scar massage is fine. Good luck!

Marissa Tenenbaum, MD · Answer

Worrisome signs of an infection are new or worsening redness, increased pain, drainage that smells bad or is thick and fever. Close follow up with your board certified plastic surgery is important. Redness can also be a normal process of wound healing and scar formation. Best, MMT

Atul Kesarwani, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Whenever one side is healing very differently than the other, it may be a concern. Your incision looks inflamed but may or may not be infected. When there is something going on on the surface it may have ndicate something going on inside as well. Keep your incision dry and return to see your plastic surgeon.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

At two weeks postop we usually expect surgical wounds to be well on the way to healing.  One of the problems with incisions in the axillae, or armpits, is that they stay moist and can get "soupy," because the skin is constantly together trapping moisture.  Sometimes it helps to simply place a small pad of dry gauze folded up against the incision just to keep the skin surfaces from contacting each other and to allow some air to circulate.  Sometimes we see redness like this just because the tissues are inflamed and irritated, but it's always better to err on the side of being conservative and aggressive and assume that there may be some infection there too, given all of the moisture allowing skin bacteria to grow.  For this reason it will be best if you contact your own surgeon tomorrow and tell them what you see.  They will likely want to see you in the office for a personal evaluation and probably prescribe a short course of antibiotics.  You don't want to take any chances on getting brand new breast implants infected, so sooner rather than later to see your surgeon would be best.  Good luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Redness around an incision line 2 weeks after surgery is certainly concerning.  Best to let your plastic surgeon know of your situation/concerns. Best wishes.

Underarm incision post BA infected? (photo)

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