Breast Augmentation Complications & Breast Implant Removal FAQ

[poster]

10. My suture popped and if open slightly? What should I do?

Usually one suture "popping" won't make too much of a difference a few days post op. Although it depends upon the incision site, if there is much pressure on the wounds and if there is any wound seepage (weeping). However, if your wound is starting to open back up you need to alert your surgeon. He or she may have you come in to be re-sutured or may just have you watch it very closely for any signs of infection. Do not touch this area with your fingers unless you have washed your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap.

[poster]

11. My sutures have been out for a few days and my wound has opened back up? What does this mean and what should I do?

Contact your surgeon immediately! This opens your treatment area to infection and can also continue to open and widen. Your implants can be pushed out through your incision if this is the case (extrusion). If your wound edges have healed independently and not together, per se, you will more than likely need your wound edges trimmed and re-sutured. Your surgeon will have you watch your incision site very carefully for the next few days and weeks that follow. Re-opening is possible again so please take it easy.

Smoking significantly increases your chances of wound reopening and compromised healing, so please quit several weeks beforehand.

[poster]

12. My temperature is elevated, how can I tell if I have an infection?

Things to be alarmed about that are not normal:

* Temperature elevation greater than 101 degrees
* Sudden swelling or sudden discoloration
* Hemorrhage
* Increasing redness and tenderness (with or without weeping/seepage) of the wound edges indicating infection
* Allergic reaction to drugs

[poster]

13. It has been a few weeks and my breast has become tender, red and swollen all over again? What is going on?

You may have had a post-surgical hemorrhage or may be developing an infection. Or quite frankly, you may have overdone yourself and caused a small tear or stressed your treatment area out. This can happen in your sleep, unbeknownst to you, so alert your surgeon to any sudden changes such as this. It is better to be safe than sorry.

[historyaboutsurjery]

14. My arm(s) has been numb ever since my surgery - is this caused from my breast implants?

You very well may be experiencing loss of sensitivity of some sort due to the pressure of the swelling in this area. If you have had a transaxillary incision a nerve could have possibly been severed. Alert your surgeon to any complaints of arm numbness regardless if you think it is "nothing" or not. If it is caused from the swelling or something minor, it should remedy itself as you heal - be sure to let your surgeon know of any changes.

[historyaboutsurjery]

15. I have red lines coming up from my breasts to my neck or up my arms and legs - what is this from?

Alert your surgeon immediately! This is a warning sign that there is a serious infection and possibly blood poisoning. If you should see these red lines - call your surgeon immediately. if you cannot get in touch with your surgeon, have someone drive you to the emergency room.

[historyaboutsurjery]

16. I am very asymmetrical and I am 6 months post-op, is it going to get better?

Although everyone one of us are not symmetrical, if one of your breasts is significantly higher or lower than the pother and they were not before, it is very possible that you may need a pocket revision. if your implants have not dropped by this time this is a possibility, especially if you have textured implants. Please speak with your surgeon regarding this subject as he or she will know more of your specific case and may recommend non-surgical treatments before resorting to a revision surgery.

[historyaboutsurjery]

17. I have clear or milky fluid coming out of my nipples! Is this an infection or am I lactating or something??

You may be experiencing a phenomenon called galactorrhea. Galactorrhea is when you start producing breast milk, and is considered a very mild a complication or side effect. This is usually remedied on its own and may stop spontaneously although some cases may need medication or implant removal.

Alert your surgeon if you experience this as he or she may want to examine you. Foul smelling or yellowish or greenish discharge may be a sign of an infection.

[historyaboutsurjery]

18. Why do I look like I have 4 breasts? Does this go away?

A double-bubble is a slang term for when an implant is placed under the muscle(s) of a patient with ptotic (sagging breasts). Now, slight ptosis is perfectly fine for an over placement, in fact some surgeons choose this when a patient doesn't want a lift but isn't saggy enough to insist upon it. If the patient is given unders but has substantial sag, the breast tissue may fall further and create "one set of breasts" and the implant staying in its rightful pocket under the muscle creates the second set of breasts.

Also be aware that this problem can happen after a woman was pregnant and the tissue now sags with the excess weight and stretch of the full mammary but the implant remains where it was originally placed, under the muscle in it's intended pocket. The moral of the story is, if you need a breast lift, get one.

If it will go away depends upon how post-op you are. If you are newly implanted, wait a bit before panicking, your implant just may not have fallen yet. If you are several months post-op, you more than likely need a breast lift/revision.

[historyaboutsurjery]

. What is Mondor's cord and how do I know I have it?

First discovered by French Surgeon, Henri Mondor (pronounced ahn-ree mon-door), Mondor's Disease (or cord) is thrombophlebitis (inflammation) of an epigastric vein of the thorax. That is a bulging vein under your breast lobe on your abdomen and breast.

thrombophlebitis
throm*bo*phle*bi*tis; plural -bit*i*des ( plural)
(noun): inflammation of a vein with formation of a thrombus

epigastric
epi*gas*tric
(adjective)
2 a : of or relating to the anterior walls of the abdomen <~ veins>

thorax
tho*rax (noun), plural tho*rax*es or tho*ra*ces
[Middle English, from Latin thorac-, thorax breastplate, thorax, from Greek thorak-, thorax]
First appeared 15th Century
1 : the part of the mammalian body between the neck and the abdomen;
also : its cavity in which the heart and lungs lie

This condition appears rather spontaneously and is of no worry, you can remedy this by warm, compresses (a very warm, wet washcloth or a microwaveable pack wrapped in a warm, wet washcloth will suffice) and taking an anti-inflammatory such as a prescription Medrol pack (Prednisolone) or OTC Motrin (an anti-inflammatory). However, ibuprofen is also a blood thinner and you should consult with your surgeonbefore taking it. It is usually nothing to be alarmed about and will disappear on its own. If you have further worries please consult with your surgeon.