I am nearly 5 weeks post op from a breast uplift and implant replacement, I have been cleaning and re dressing my wounds every day as advised as well as using an antibiotic cream and iodine daily, I have also been on antibiotics until a few days ago, my wound on one of my breasts seems to have split open and is worrying me! Any advise please? Thank you
Gentle Cleaning: It's important to keep the wound area clean to prevent infection. This usually involves gently washing the area with mild soap and water. Be sure to pat the area dry carefully with a clean towel.
Using Antiseptic Solutions: In some cases, your doctor may recommend using an antiseptic solution like iodine or saline solution for cleaning. This helps in keeping the wound area sterile, reducing the risk of infection.
Applying Topical Antibiotics: Antibiotic ointments or creams can be applied as per your doctor’s advice. These help in keeping the wound moist, which is beneficial for healing and also helps in preventing bacterial growth.
Monitoring for Signs of Infection: Keep an eye out for redness, increased pain, swelling, warmth, or pus, which could indicate an infection. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.
Healthy Diet and Hydration: Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and proteins.
Though your wound seems superficial in the pictures posted. But since you have a breast implant underneath. You need to treat and think of this wound as a major problem. The wound will be never sterile, what ever you use as wound care and must be on the watch for infection of the wound and the implant.
Your Plastic Surgeon should be involved in the care. In my patients Would see the patient like you every other day. Use of the best in the powers of the surgeon knowledge to keep from infection. You have been on antibiotics for a long time and would worry about infection with resistant bacteria.
Wound not infected and no exposure of implant. This the main concern. Happens occasionally. Antibiotics at present not indicated but very close monitoring by your surgeon is. Does not need to be daily but close according to your dr's instructions. Betadine solution dressings ok but I myself prefer Silvadene as effective and easier to use. Seems your wounds are gradually enlarging and I predict it will continue to enlarge before starting to close. Will take several weeks or longer of treatment and hopefully no implant exposure during this time. There is one thing that will actually reduce that time significantly and that is the use of a negative pressure dressing and device for one or two weeks. That is what I would do if you were my patient. Discuss the use of this device with your surgeon.
Although your wound does not look deep and from the pictures there is no exposure of the implant, you must be very vigilant about keeping the wound clean. and monitor for signs of infection which include, fever, chills, redness or any type of pus and/or foul smelling drainage from the incision site. You must inform your surgeon of this immediately and do not wait to inform your surgeon
Having a lift with an implant at the same time doe have a higher chance of this happening.
Best wishes