| |
Infection After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Infection, which can occur any time after surgery, is devastating when it follows a breast augmentation operation. Due to the possibility of infection after breast augmentation surgery, you should familiarize yourself with the risks beforehand. Dr. Loftus provides you information on what to expect, ways to reduce the risk of infection before surgery and after plastic surgery care.
If, after breast augmentation surgery, an infection develops, it might require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. More important, an infected implant almost always requires removal of the breast implant. Months (or in some cases years) afterward, a new implant can be placed. During that time, your breast asymmetry will be awkward. You will be markedly uncomfortable physically, emotionally, psychologically, and sexually. The national risk of infection is about 1 percent.
Implant infections almost always occur within 2 months of surgery. If you do not get one within 2 months, then you are pretty much out of the woods. Signs of infection may include redness, fatigue, and fevers. Increased pain and swelling are also typical signs of infection, but because these occur following all breast augmentation, it can be hard to tell. If you have any concerns about infection, call your plastic surgeon immediately.
The implant position and the site of incision may influence your risk of infection. Implants placed under the muscle have a slightly lower rate of infection than those placed over the muscle. Implants placed through an inframammary incision have a slightly lower rate of infection compared to implants placed through an areolar incision. There are a number of things your surgeon can do to reduce your risks of infection and other problems.
|
