Is my right incision infected? Or is it normal to see some white discharge? 2-weeks post-op. (Photos)

Hi MangoQween,

I understand your concern. However, it is difficult to assess your incision site with mere pictures. It is best that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon to have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Unfortiunately, without being able to see and examine the incisions and the entire breast, there is no way to diagnose an infection. You need to see your surgeon as soon as possible.Best of luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Thank you for your question and photographs.  You photographs and description do not indicate an infection.  My advice would be to keep the area clean and dry and follow the specific instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon.  Good luck.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The most common first sign of an infection after surgery is redness that starts to spread from the surgical site onto the surrounding skin.  Heat, swelling, and increasing pain are the next most common signs.  If you do not have these signs, infection is not likely.  When Steri-Strips stay on your skin for longer than 10-14 days, it is not uncommon to see a discharge coming from underneath them.  The outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum), which normally gets washed off during showers, tends to build up under the Steri-Strips and eventually works its way out in the form of what looks like discharge.  I typically see my postoperative patients at 2 weeks and remove the Steri-Strips from all the incisions at that point.  However, every surgeon has different postoperative protocols and instructions.  In your case it would be best to call your surgeon's office and describe both your concern and what you see (send the photos to your surgeon), and then follow the advice of your surgeon.

MangoQueen.  I appreciate your concern, however it is best to have your incisions and wounds evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. It appears from your photographs that there are no signs of infection, and sometimes Steri-Strips can actually cause the discharge that you are describing. At the least, contact the plastic surgeon who performed the surgery. Good luck.

You seem to have a little serum or exudate accumulating under your steristrips. I do not see any redness around your incision so I do not see any other signs of infection. You need to see your surgeon so the steristrips can be removed and the wound cleaned and evaluated. You could have a small gap or spitting a stitch. See your surgeon or get their instructions. Good luck.

Hi Sanavlys
Thank you for asking Dr Daniel Man. 
By now your incision is probably healing well, and after reading all kind of advices you are learning that you had great surgery and lots of recommendations. 
I would stick to your surgeon and tell him that another board certified PS saw his work, and he thinks you are on the royal way to recovery 

Dear Sanavlys, If I was your surgeon I would like to know how you are doing.  The white discharge from your incision is of concern but this is not always a sign of infection.  It could be maceration of the skin because the sterile strip can trap moisture.  Your surgeon should have a plan to take care of complications even if you're from out of town.  What I would do in this situation is to have you take off the sterile strip so we can see your incision over photos or facetime, etc and make recommendations.

Based on your photographs there is no apparent indication of an infection. However your incisions are covered by Steri-Strips thus proper evaluation is impossible. In my experience leaving Steri-Strips on too long especially when showering can lead to softening and maceration of the incision. I would ask your surgeon if you can take his Steri-Strips off so you can actually see the incision and allow it to dry.