Infection

Breast Implant Infections

On this page, Dr. Loftus explains how serious breast implant infections can be; how they are treated; and all of the steps that she takes to reduce the rate of implant infection.

Infection, which can occur after any 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.

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 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 will not get one. Signs of infection may include redness, fatigue, and fevers. Increased pain and swelling are also typical signs of infection. 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. To reduce the risk of infections, Dr. Loftus does a number of things:

• She treats women who have chest acne with antibiotics starting 1 week prior to surgery
• She has the surgical instruments sterilized immediately prior to surgery, rather than days prior
• She has her staff limit the number of times they open the door to the operating room during surgery
• She ensures that no one other than herself handles the implants
• She re-sterilizes the skin immediately prior to introducing the implants to the surgical field

Combined, all of these steps have caused Dr. Loftus to have a rate of infection that is less than 1/10 of the national average.