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Hematoma
Bleeding After Surgery is Over
A hematoma is a blood collection that can accumulate around the implant after surgery. Most hematomas appear either within a day of surgery or about three weeks later. Hematomas which occur shortly after surgery usually do so because a blood vessel which spasmed during surgery relaxed afterward, thereby allowing that vessel to bleed. Hematomas which occur weeks later usually do so during the natural phase of clot lysis, during which time your body naturally resorbs clots which you formed during surgery. If, during that time, your heart rate is elevated or you are exerting yourself physically, then your risk of hematoma will increase.
Hematomas usually require an additional operation for removal, as untreated hematomas are painful and increase the likelihood of capsular contracture and infection. The overall risk of hematoma is less than 2 percent, but it is higher in those who take aspirin or ibuprofen and in those who return to a physically demanding occupation or resume exercise too soon.
You may reduce your risk of hematoma by avoiding increasing your heart rate for four weeks after surgery. This may seem like an inordinate time for those who are eager to return to exercise, but not doing so will increase your risk of hematoma, which is a potentially serious problem.
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