Breast augmentation 10 weeks ago - at the 5 week post-op mark, plastic surgeon was unhappy with healing and performed a pocket revision for both breasts and bumped up implant size. Within 7 days I developed a mass of fluid below my left breast (size of half a baseball - red and really sore) but PS wasn't overly concerned and prescribed antibiotics and a wait and see approach. It's been 4 weeks and I still have swelling & pain. PS doesn't want to drain it for fear of risking infection. I am suspect of his approach - what to do?
April 7, 2016
Answer: Hematoma after breast implant surgery must be drained.
Hematoma after breast implant surgery must be drained. This is an infrequent complication of breast augmentation, but is probably the one most physicians fear the most. Plastic surgeons that perform large numbers of augmentation will invariably see and treat patients with this condition -- it happens to all surgeons. Despite the fact that I have developed a technique to perform breast augmentation and lose less than a teaspoon full of blood for the entire operation, I have had 2 or 3 patients with post-operative hematomas that I had to drain.
Hematoma after breast augmentation is one of the contributing factors to capsular contracture and even implant infection and therefore need to be drained to help prevent these complications.
It is hard to second guess your surgeon -- he/she has followed you through this process and has been able to examine you and should have a better idea of what should be done. There are ways to drain fluid collections sterilely and with minimal risk of puncture of the implant. You may want to discuss these options with your surgeon
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April 7, 2016
Answer: Hematoma after breast implant surgery must be drained.
Hematoma after breast implant surgery must be drained. This is an infrequent complication of breast augmentation, but is probably the one most physicians fear the most. Plastic surgeons that perform large numbers of augmentation will invariably see and treat patients with this condition -- it happens to all surgeons. Despite the fact that I have developed a technique to perform breast augmentation and lose less than a teaspoon full of blood for the entire operation, I have had 2 or 3 patients with post-operative hematomas that I had to drain.
Hematoma after breast augmentation is one of the contributing factors to capsular contracture and even implant infection and therefore need to be drained to help prevent these complications.
It is hard to second guess your surgeon -- he/she has followed you through this process and has been able to examine you and should have a better idea of what should be done. There are ways to drain fluid collections sterilely and with minimal risk of puncture of the implant. You may want to discuss these options with your surgeon
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February 17, 2010
Answer: Fluid collection following implant removal and replacement This is a difficult problem to diagnose over the internet and it is hard to second guess the treating physician but based on your description, I would be compelled to drain the collection. One non-invasive option is to obtain an ultrasound to evaluate the mass. While it is possible that an exploration or treatment will result in possible infection, the alternative of not treating could lead to a higher rate of capsular contracture.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 17, 2010
Answer: Fluid collection following implant removal and replacement This is a difficult problem to diagnose over the internet and it is hard to second guess the treating physician but based on your description, I would be compelled to drain the collection. One non-invasive option is to obtain an ultrasound to evaluate the mass. While it is possible that an exploration or treatment will result in possible infection, the alternative of not treating could lead to a higher rate of capsular contracture.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful