My right breast looks "normal" for this process, but the other breast is extra large always leaking fluid and it most of the time red. I had an infection and was placed on antibiotics twice. My doctors keeps saying looks great, but i can tell the worry in his eyes. He says the swelling will go down, but it has not as of yet. One breast is about a "B" and the other one is a "D". I know there is always complications, but what is the worse that can happen?
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Q: I had tissue expanders inserted in Nov 2009. My drains were removed 1 week after surgery. My right breastalways has fluid in it. Now is so much larger than the other breast should i be concerned.
Answers (1)
9/15/10 5:44pm
How long has it been red and swollen - since the surgery in November? If this redness and swlelling is fairly recent, and antibiotics haven't cured it, then please ask to be tested for inflammatory breast cancer. It's a long shot, as it's rare; but that would indeed be "the worst that could happen."
If IBC is ruled out, and an infection is stil suspected, ask about antibiotics administered right to the site of the expander, via an IV drip. I've heard some women say that this was the only thing that solved their problem of a stubborn infection.
Other than that, you might consider getting a second opinion from a breast specialist. It seems like the swelling and fluid buildup should have disappeared by now... Hope things resolve for you soon. PJH
9/16/10 4:32am
Is your doctor using the word "seroma" to describe this fluid? A pocket of fluid that collects after surgery are called a seroma, and some women do develop chronic seromas. Ten months seems like a long time though, so maybe it's time to consult with another doctor to see what the best course of action is. If your infections responded to antibiotics, it is unlikely that the swelling is caused by inflammatory breast cancer, but if you saw little or no response to the antibiotics, then testing to rule out IBC is appropriate. The timing of the swelling so soon after your implants suggests that the swelling is a reaction to surgery, but you want to be sure.
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By kameronwheeler— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 09/15/10
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It is more swollen than red. it has been swollen since about a month after the surgery. This first time I noticed it was when the doctor poked a hole and floods of fluid came flowing from my breast. That has been happening since December. At this point less yellow fluid is coming outm but it is so much larger than the other breast. Could it be that the fluid made the breast stretch even more? I just think that there is something he is not telling me. The lower part of my breast are so hard. He said that he might have to cut that skin off and if there is not enough skin to cover the implant i will have to do the tissue expanders again. He said in time my skin should soften, but I just dont see that happening. I am sitting here typing a it has begun to leak; my shirt is wet
. Do you think skin can become soft again or does it just have to be cut off?
I will ask to be tested on friday at my doctors appointment.