WHEN TO CALL YOUR SURGEON AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION

You just had a breast augmentation surgery! How exciting! While your body is healing it is very common for patients to have questions and wonder if what they are feeling is "ok" or "normal". The team and I are here to help answer any questions you have and want to make sure you get the optimal results for your breast implants. We want you to be ecstatic with the outcome!

Most often, majority of questions and concerns about pain, swelling and final results are easiest to answer at the time of your follow-up visits to your breast augmentation surgery. The following are reasons to call prior to a scheduled appointment:

• If you are not sure whether or not to call, just call. I am here for my patients and would rather them call and ask a question than sit and wonder about it for hours–you should be focusing on healing after your breast implant surgery. Remember we want you to have the best results possible. It’s not a bother to call your plastic surgeon and team.
• Persistent fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours.
• Chest pain or significant shortness of breath.
• Increasing redness along the incision that is more than ½ an inch (a small rim of redness around the incision is normal), especially if the redness is expanding or extending over time. Typically my incision points for breast augmentation surgery are in the inframammory fold, or underneath the breast where it meets the beginning of the abdomen.
• Drainage from the incision that is purulent (pus). Small amounts of oozing and bleeding are very common. If this is more than a slow staining of the gauze, apply firm pressure for 30-60 minutes before calling the office. Should heavy bleeding occur (very rare), apply firm pressure and call us immediately. This is incredibly rare after a breast augmentation surgery.
• If the skin next to the incision for your breast augmentation is turning very dark or black.
• If you are unable to urinate eight hours after returning home from the procedure (unfortunately, this likely will require a trip to the emergency room, but is very, very rare).
• A significant new opening in the incision where the breast implants were placed (over ½ inch). Small openings along the incision are common and are not emergencies. Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment and a bandaid. Call to alert staff during regular business hours.

The biggest takeaway is always to have great communication with your board-certified plastic surgeon. If something is worrying you, reach out to her/him or the office. Your successful breast augmentation and for you to be happy is exactly what your team wants. If something feels off, check in. That’s what we are here for.

–Dr. D

Dr. Chase Derrick sees patients in the DFW area including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and Richardson. He also has an office in Sherman, serving the Texoma region. Dr. Chase Derrick is Board-Certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is sought after for his incredible results in mommy makeovers, breast augmentations, liposuctions, tummy tucks, breast reconstruction, and facelifts.