infection vs rejection of implant

rejectionvsinfection123

Had bilat mx Jan 2016 with immediate reconstruction. Stage 2 right side because of size of tumor .Only taking Tamoxifen. Had tissue expanders 3 months.Silicone implants April. Five weeks later, became red, swollen, painful, encapsulated. Had removed, and replaced in May. Pinhole opening with scant drainage to incision site. Took oral antibiotics. Redness diminished. Sept 1 became red, hot, painful. Not encapsulated. Had fever 102.7. Flu symptoms. Resumed antibiotics.Feel good today. Redness persists. Had no issues when expanders were in. Dr. wants to remove implant and leave alone 6 months. Seems like my body is rejecting this invader. A lot of other stressors recently too. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Moderators

Hi Rejectionvsinfection123-

We're so sorry to hear of the issues you're having with your implant! How long is this current round of antibiotics? Hopefully the issue continues to clear up and it's not being rejected. We wanted to refer you to our Reconstruction forum, where you might find some helpful information, and connect with other members who have experience with this sort of complication.

Please keep us posted!

The Mods

gracie22

I am hoping others will chime in because this is something I have wondered about. From what I understand, there is no such thing as your body "rejecting" the implant as it is not made of materials that the body rejects. The problem is infection, usually caused during surgery by the introduction of staph or other bacteria. Once an infection takes hold in the breast, if there is an implant or expander within it, and the infection involves the pocket that holds the implant/ expander or if fluid builds up around the implant, it has to come out in order to heal (along with administering whatever antibiotics recommended by an infectious disease doc.) I had a BMX direct to implants and lost one months after surgery (ironically in the non cancer breast) to a serious infection. My PS tried to treat with antibiotics and even did a removal/rinse antibiotic rinse procedure. It seemed to totally resolve, but a month later I became very ill very suddenly, the infection peaked, and the breast virtually exploded with infection. Implant had to be removed, there was a lot of tissue damage and weeks of IV antibiotics. So I would not mess with it; if your doc feels it should come out, it likely should. They will do a culture to determine the bacteria responsible and treat accordingly. It is enormously disappointing, but you can try again after completing antibiotics and healing. I really do not understand why infection is so prevalent. I know it is always possible with any surgery or invasive procedure, but is seems scarily common with post BC implant surgery, whether via expanders or one step.

rejectionvsinfection123

Thank you gracie22! We seem to be boob buddies. I was on IV vanco for 5 days, 5 weeks after implants put in. They had aspirated and cultured the seroma. No infection was found.PS did wash out and replacement. I did not rat myself out to him that I had been in the hosp with my mom post fall and pelvic fx, turning and lifting her. That was 2 weeks post implant insertion. I blamed the encapsulation on the excessive activity, so I guess I am trying to pretend the current situation is similar. How are you doing now? Did you have them replaced?

gracie22

RejectionvsInfection, Yeah, your exertion would not have caused your problem; I had the same fear as I went back to work fairly soon after BMX and worried that it had contributed to my symptoms. I am OK and did not replace the implant, and I am not sure if I ever will. I would prefer having one, but the idea of going through that again is not appealing. (The cancer side was fine, and the implant is still in place.) At this point, I would need an expander and perhaps some skin from elsewhere due to tissue damage from the infection, and I am not willing to deal with all of that. The infection was very scary; it was resistant to antibiotics and I was quite ill, hospitalized for a week and on IV drugs for in the hospital and for 2 weeks after that. Infections are very, very common even in the best hospitals from what I have read in the year since my experience. Patients who are damaged and the families of those who die have virtually no shot of redress.Though our country (US) is often criticized for being sue-happy, this is one area of the law where hospitals literally get away with murder. So much of it seems preventable, there just does not seem to be the will to change the situation. When I was in the hospital and blaming myself for my situation, the infectious disease doc took pity and told me the truth; the infection was so deep in the tissue of the affected breast that it was likely caused by a surgical instrument/equipment. Usually they will not tell you anything that specific, and simply write it off as "infection" as if the germs are just floating in the air and fall into the breast! I was happy for her candor because at that point, I was angry at myself for putting work ahead of my health and scared of not just losing the breast, but losing my life. Am hoping others respond here too as I have found the subject of hospital acquired infection pretty astounding. Good luck, I hope that your redness goes away without further treatment, but be vigilant, of course!

gracie22

bumping ... would really like to hear from others on the rejection vs. infection thing

rejectionvsinfection123

Well, the md let me keep the implant in, while taking oral antibiotics, from Sept to Dec. He removed Dec 20th after right (cancer affected) breast went from dusky pink to lobster red overnight, with fever.. Took IV Vanco, Zosyn, and oral azithromycin. Treated by infection control md. All cultures negative.(No noticeable issues with left breast implant). Replaced implant Jan 11. Had sutures for first time. Usually surgical glue. Took every other suture out, sprung a leak couple weeks later. Implant poking through. Due to have explant done tomorrow am, and leave out to let area heal. Possible replacement. Curious about fat transfers or any other options. Regretting going large, from B to D. Boobs are a chore! Any thoughts?