The suture bleeds after mammoplasty, what should I do? Serious consequences of mammoplasty and methods for their effective solution. What to do if blood appears from the incision site

All women who have ever thought about breast surgery have asked themselves whether postoperative scars will be visible. Indeed, breast plastic surgery almost always aims to eliminate aesthetic defects, which implies the absence of scars. We decided to understand this problem, which is pressing for many women, by asking for comments from one of the leading plastic surgeons, who has twenty years of experience in mammoplasty, Candidate of Medical Sciences Svetlana Pshonkina.

Svetlana Pshonkina’s methods for suturing

To work successfully, a plastic surgeon needs to understand all the intricacies of the operation. The formation of invisible scars is one of the important tasks of plastic surgery. Svetlana Pshonkina has been working for more than twenty years to improve her techniques, in particular, to reduce postoperative scars.

Dr. Pshonkina explains that it is obvious to all surgeons that when suturing, you cannot use rough clamps and tweezers, which increase tension and friction of tissues. Greater tissue tension promotes the formation of a wider scar. Thus, thanks to many years of experience, Svetlana Yuryevna has developed a rule according to which it is important to avoid transverse tension in the seams. The result is influenced by any subtleties, including the accuracy of working with the edges of the cut. With the right approach to such a seemingly insignificant part of plastic surgery, you can avoid unnecessary tissue trauma when applying sutures.

What is special about applying invisible stitches?

Svetlana Pshonkina considers it necessary to first stitch together the inner layers of the skin, which will fix the bonding of the tissues, taking on the entire main load. And only after this should you start stitching the surface layers. With this type of work, the scars will be much thinner. After surgery, such a suture takes the form of a convex roller, which soon dissolves, still leaving the surface layer of skin safe. However, with mammoplasty there is a risk of necrosis at the site where the suture material exits, which, in turn, can form additional scars. In order to avoid this, Svetlana Yuryevna uses the technique of suturing without knots, because they are the ones that most often contribute to a negative reaction of the skin to the suture material.

For vertical lifting, Svetlana Pshonkina uses a technique that involves deep placement of nodes

When do seams become problematic?

The doctor notes that the problem associated with stitches mainly occurs during breast reduction and breast lift. Magnification, as a rule, leaves no traces. The only exceptions are some features of the patient’s body. For a vertical breast lift, Svetlana Yuryevna uses a special technique that involves deep placement of the nodes. This allows you to tightly hold the deep layers of skin in tension. This implies the inevitability of a strict approach to the selection of suture material.

Which threads are better?

Dr. Svetlana Pshonkina uses absorbable threads in her work, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Moreover, with such threads there is no need to remove sutures, which leads to additional tissue damage. There is also the possibility of gluing scars instead of stitching them. However, Svetlana Yuryevna does not adhere to this technique. She believes that the scar remains in any case, even the thinnest one. It will not be possible to avoid it by gluing. But, unlike absorbable sutures, glue can cause a negative reaction in the patient’s body, including rejection of the glue. In addition, glue is not a reliable material for fastening the edges of the dermis. And strong fixation of tissues cut during surgery is extremely important. The seam, as we have already found out, should not stretch or move.

Why are strips needed?

Many patients do not understand why they are required to wear strips and silicone patches for a long time after surgery. Svetlana Yuryevna explains that in order for a scar to form unnoticeably, it is necessary to exclude its injury or irritation. To reduce the mechanical impact on postoperative sutures, surgeons use strips and silicone patches. Moreover, they are able to fix the seam and prevent it from stretching or moving out. Most surgeons tape the sutures with strips. Svetlana Pshonkina completely agrees with them. She considers strips the most reliable material for rigidly and reliably fixing the edges of cut tissues, in place of which connective tissue is formed. If this process proceeds correctly, the postoperative scar turns out to be as thin and invisible as possible. Dr. Pshonkina considers early removal of strips a big mistake. Her patients wear the strips for up to one and a half months, which allows them to achieve better results. The longer use of strips, which is practiced by European surgeons, is, in her opinion, incorrect. This brings discomfort to the patient and is not worth the effort.

What is better - strips or silicone patches?

Insufficient adaptation of the suture leads to longer and more difficult healing.

But silicone patches, according to the observations of Svetlana Pshonkina, do not bring the desired result. They are not able to hold the sutures, which begin to come apart within a month after the operation. Svetlana Yuryevna applies strips for a month, which she does not change. She believes that re-taping strips irritates the seams and increases the risk of unsightly scarring. Therefore, her patients treat the suture area with alcohol after a shower without removing the strips. During the rehabilitation period, crusts appear on the site of the future scar. Many patients are afraid of them, however, according to Svetlana Pshonkina, thin crusts are considered the norm. They do not affect the scar in any way and disappear on their own within the first week. The formation of a scar takes up to one and a half years, but after one and a half months it will not cause discomfort to the patient and will become almost invisible. But during the first month and a half after the operation, it is necessary to carefully fix the suture.

Which sutures heal worse?

The sutures, however, do not always heal successfully; the suture along the areola is best restored. But such a suture cannot be made in some operations. It is possible to dissect the tissue in the areola area only by three centimeters. This incision is not sufficient to correct severe ptosis. In such cases, surgeons most often resort to incisions under the mammary gland, which heal much worse. Svetlana Pshonkina believes that this process is further aggravated by the fact that surgeons usually pay insufficient attention to the inframammary sutures. Insufficient adaptation of the suture leads to longer and more difficult healing. Another common problem Svetlana Yuryevna sees is the junction of a vertical scar with a horizontal one. Complications in this area are quite common, despite the great attention paid to it by surgeons. In many cases, six months after surgery, this problem area has to be corrected under local anesthesia.

Hypertrophy of scars and keloids

As a result of strong tension of the skin, stitching only its upper layers when applying a suture, excess suture materials and knots, inflammatory processes can occur. They, in turn, often lead to suture dehiscence and scar hypertrophy. Of course, such scars can be made less noticeable using laser resurfacing or special injections, but it will not be possible to make them thin. Svetlana Pshonkina believes that in such cases you should simply re-sew the scar, thereby achieving a better result. There is also a problem in which surgeons are forced to refuse patients altogether. When breast reduction or lifting occurs, there is a risk of keloid scar formation. The area of ​​the neckline, shoulders and armpits is most susceptible to this problem. But some patients are prone to the formation of keloid scars even with a small scratch. Surgeons are unable to help such patients.

The discharge of serous fluid from the suture after mammoplasty is diagnosed in every tenth patient. Liquid accumulates in the space that remains after suturing the wound and flows out when the suture stretches under its pressure. This can happen either immediately after surgery or several weeks later. Surgeons call the “pocket” of fluid that forms under the skin a seroma. In most cases, seromas do not threaten the health of patients and go away on their own. Help is required only for those who have a severe reaction.

Why do seromas occur?

Seroma is the body's response to injury and a foreign body, i.e., an installed implant. The soft tissue around the implant becomes inflamed and produces serous fluid. This fluid is blood serum that seeps through the walls of small blood vessels. If the fluid is not drained through the drain, it accumulates in the sutured wound.

The development of complications can be facilitated by:

• increased tissue reactivity (for example, in diabetes mellitus or rheumatic diseases),
• absence of installed drainages after surgery,
• physical activity in the early postoperative period, refusal to wear compression garments.

How to detect gray?

Signs of seroma after mammoplasty include:

• the appearance of swelling and thickening of tissue in the lower part of the chest,
• increase in body temperature to 38°C,
• discharge of clear or yellowish liquid from the seam.

Some patients may experience redness and tenderness at the site of swelling. The presence of fluid in the mammary gland after mammoplasty is confirmed by ultrasound results.

Treatment

Small seromas usually resolve on their own, so patients with such formations are simply observed. To reduce discomfort, your doctor may recommend taking painkillers.
If the seroma grows rapidly or an abscess (suppuration of the wound) is suspected, the fluid is removed through drainage. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. To prevent infection, the patient is prescribed antibacterial agents.

In 95% of cases, seromas are completely cured in 5-7 days. The complication suffered does not affect the results. Upon completion of treatment, both mammary glands acquire the same aesthetic appearance.

Rehabilitation after mammoplasty is no less important and responsible period than the operation itself. The results of the procedure and the possibility of developing complications and side effects largely depend on the implementation of all recommendations and prohibitions during this time.

Rehabilitation after breast surgery takes about two months. It will take at least six weeks for the implants to take root in the mammary glands. The entire rehabilitation period can be divided into two stages:

1. Postoperative – characterized by a large number of strict restrictions and obligations, the implementation of which is aimed at avoiding postoperative complications. Lasts a month.
2. The recovery stage is a less strict stage, during which all efforts are aimed at restoring the bust, pectoral, and shoulder muscles after surgery. A little physical activity is already allowed here, and therapeutic exercises are encouraged.

Rehabilitation by day after breast augmentation is as follows:

The next and final visit to the hospital will be in the sixth week after surgery.

One and a half to two weeks after plastic surgery, you can begin light housework. Sports training can be started only after a month, after consulting with a doctor.

To prevent the development of complications, a woman must clearly and strictly follow the recommendations and not overstep the doctor’s restrictions.

In the first three hours after surgery, the patient should not drink, during the first five hours, she should not eat, and for the first four days, she should not shower.

It is prohibited during the first week after mammoplasty:

1. Lie down and sleep on your stomach.
2. Raise your arms to a level above your shoulders.
3. Lift heavy objects (more than 1 kg).
4. Make sudden movements.
5. Tilt your torso down.

You can start physical training no earlier than a month after the procedure. Throughout the entire rehabilitation period, stress, depression, any nervous tension, anxiety, or significant changes in body weight are contraindicated.

Particular attention should be paid to diet. Drinking alcohol and smoking are prohibited. You should limit sweet, salty, spicy, fried, and fatty foods. It is not recommended to drink a lot of liquid.

During the year it is forbidden to go to the solarium, bathhouse, sauna, to be in direct sunlight, or to take a hot bath.

Features of bust care

How long do breasts hurt after mammoplasty? The breasts after plastic surgery will be painful and swollen at first. Hematomas and bruises may form on the mammary glands. This should go away within two to three weeks. Pain and swelling of the mammary glands can bother a woman in the first month with varying intensity. However, if these sensations are very pronounced, you should consult a doctor.

During the first two months, the bust is unnaturally raised upward. After this time, the implants are completely implanted and the breasts drop to their natural position.

In the first two years after surgery, there may also be problems with the sensitivity of the breasts, areola and nipples: they may either be too sensitive (especially to burning, irritation, pain) or lose sensitivity completely or partially. Despite the fact that this may be normal and will go away after a while, you should report such symptoms to your doctor.

In order to prevent complications and achieve a speedy recovery of the breasts, a woman should carefully care for the mammary glands until the sutures are completely scarred. Sutures need to be given special attention - to prevent infection from getting into them, to monitor the condition and dynamics of healing.

Seam processing

The sutures after mammoplasty are covered with a bandage to prevent infection and protect from external irritating factors. During routine visits, the doctor changes the bandage and treats the stitches with an antiseptic. Do not get the bandage wet or remove it yourself. For the first 4 days, showers are taken exclusively in areas below the waist.

After two weeks, the bandage is removed and the scars are cleaned if necessary. In the case of using self-absorbing threads, the sutures are not removed - after a certain time they will dissolve on their own. If a dry crust has formed on top of them, it should not be torn off until it falls off on its own.

If the sutures bleed for a long time, become very red, irritated, become visible, or begin to be palpated, you should consult a doctor to rule out infection. In some clinics, after surgery, the patient is prescribed five days of antibiotics to prevent inflammation of the wounds from possible bacteria and infections, and they are also prescribed painkillers.

The specific type of drug and its brand should be selected by the doctor who performed the operation. It is prohibited to decide on your own to use any drug.

For the first two months after plastic surgery, a woman should wear compression garments. The first month they use it the whole day, without even taking it off at night. Starting from the second month, wearing it during the day is mandatory, but the bandage can be removed before going to bed.

How long it will take depends on the dynamics of bust restoration. Some women wear it for 1-2 months, while others cannot take it off for 3-4 months.

The importance of this underwear is very high during the rehabilitation period:

1. The compression bodice supports the breasts, fixes the implants in the anatomical pocket, preventing their displacement, rupture of sutures, and stretching of the skin.
2. The compression created by such a bra activates blood and lymph flow, reduces inflammation and swelling of the mammary glands, and prevents the appearance of pain.
3. Such underwear provides air exchange to the skin, protects the breasts from external irritants and injuries, and prevents stretching of the seams due to physical activity.
4. A compression bra limits the mobility of the glands, which promotes their speedy recovery and reduces the load on the back and shoulder area.
5. Thanks to it, the breasts are in an ideal position, are not compressed, and do not move in different directions.

Nowadays you can find many options for compression garments. A good choice would be a bra with the ability to adjust the compression level to select the required values ​​according to the recovery rate.

Refusal to wear compression garments can negate all the results of plastic surgery and lead to the following consequences:

• Implant displacement.
• Stretching, tearing of seams.
• Breast drooping.
• Bust asymmetry.
• Skin stretching.
• Injury to the mammary glands during physical activity.
• The need for a breast lift.
• The need for repeated surgery due to displacement, rupture, reconstruction (deformation) of implants.

After the doctor gives permission to remove the compression top, you need to take care of purchasing comfortable, soft and non-tightening underwear. In addition, the new bodice should support the breasts and not squeeze them, have wide straps and a deep cup. You can return to classic underwear 1 year after surgery.

For the first three days, it is forbidden to bathe in the shower or bathtub at all. Starting from the fourth day after mammoplasty, you can shower in the area below the waist. After removing the bandage from the stitches, you are allowed to bathe completely in the shower, but it is permissible to take a bath only a month after the operation.

When swimming, the water should not be cold or hot, only warm (37-37.5 degrees). The shower stream should be diffused, not directed.

Under no circumstances should you rub your chest with a towel. It is better to gently blot it with a non-hard towel until it dries.

Frequent use of soaps or gels to wash your breasts is not recommended. It is better to do this no more than twice a week, and the rest of the time just wash it with water. Frequent use of soap will cause dry skin, which will slow down healing.

Four weeks after the operation, you can start using regular moisturizing creams for skin care, based on vitamins E and A, oils, and herbal extracts. It would be good if they additionally have wound-healing properties. These may be means:

• Mama Comfort.
• Johnson's baby.
• "Baby Pharmacy" from VITEX.
• Mothercare it's your body.
• Cream "Children" from any company.
• Avent cream.

You can add natural oils and mumiyo powder to the cream. The application of alginate masks and seaweed wraps (not heating) are allowed.

Massage of the operated breast after mammoplasty can reduce the risk of complications after surgery. The first time a doctor shows a woman the technique of therapeutic massage, then she must do it at home on her own, at least every other day.

The best time for a massage procedure is morning. The duration of the massage is determined by the doctor in accordance with the tendency to recovery.

Massage should begin no earlier than the fourth day after the operation. For the first two to three weeks, light circular stroking of the mammary glands will be sufficient. When massaging the left breast, it is supported with the left hand from below. The index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand are folded together, placed with pads on the circumference of the glands and carried out in soft circular movements, starting from the axillary region, in a clockwise direction to the collarbone. The same procedure is performed with the right breast, only the supporting and massaging hand changes.

From the fifth to sixth week you can start doing lymphatic drainage massage. It activates blood and lymph flow, promotes the healing of sutures. Massage technique:

1. The middle, ring and index fingers of the hand are folded, then they make circular movements around the circumference of the glands.
2. The movements begin from the armpit, continue in a circular direction and end at the collarbone.
3. Move your palms along the bust up and down, then left and right.
4. Place your palms on the glands and gently guide them towards each other using circular movements.
5. Place your palms on top of your chest and make gentle pressing movements.
6. Stroke the bust along the contour clockwise.
7. Finally, lightly rub the glands with your palms.

It is better to do the massage while sitting or lying in front of a mirror to control your movements. The duration of the procedure is on average about 10 minutes. Before the procedure, you need to soak your hands in linseed, lavender or coconut oil.

Massage is required in the following cases:

• Persistent sensation of implants for a long time.
• Palpable pain in the chest.
• Numbness of scar tissue.

Massage is contraindicated in purulent, inflammatory processes that occur as a result of unsuccessful mammoplasty.

Recovery after mammoplasty involves abstaining from excessive physical activity and active sports training:

• In the first three days, peace is indicated.
• In the next two weeks, walking and short walks are recommended.
• Starting from the second week, you can begin light homework.
• After the stitches have healed and the bandage has been removed, doctors recommend starting to do therapeutic exercises to restore and strengthen the pectoral and shoulder muscles.

You need to start physical activity gradually. A month after the operation, you can perform simple exercises: raising your arms up, swimming short distances, raising your arms with small weights (up to 1-2 kg).

Two months after consulting with a doctor, you can slowly begin jogging, fitness, and aerobics. After three months, you are allowed to do stretching and abdominal exercises. Push-ups, chest presses, and stretching of the pectoral muscles are allowed only 25 weeks after surgery.

The duration of the period of abstinence from physical activity and the type of permissible load largely depend on the density and size of the implants and the method of their engraftment. When installing denser, larger prostheses, using the endoscopic method of breast augmentation and the axillary approach technique, the rehabilitation period will be longer. Accordingly, it will be possible to start exercising a little later (a week or a week and a half).

The most common questions from women

If a woman wants her breasts to look full, beautiful and round after surgery, she must follow all the rules of the post-operative period.

When can you sleep on your side and stomach?

For the first two weeks after surgery, you are allowed to sleep only on your back. Starting from the second week, a woman can sleep on her side. Sleeping on the stomach is allowed no earlier than a month after mammoplasty.

Such requirements are justified by the fact that when lying on the side and stomach, the pectoral muscles tense, the chest is pressed in - this can lead to displacement of the implants, severe pain, and divergence of the seams on the incisions.

When can sexual activity be resumed?

Since having sex can be compared to physical activity by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, you should not begin sexual activity immediately after surgery. In addition, the process may cause displacement of the implant or damage to the sutures.

As a rule, a medical ban lasts from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Is it possible to visit the bathhouse?

Throughout the entire rehabilitation period, which is at least two months, visiting the bathhouse is strictly prohibited. You can go to such an institution only after the stitches have completely healed. Doctors' advice is to refrain from bathing for at least 5-6 months after surgery.

The increase in temperature that occurs in the bath activates the production of sweat and lymph flow. Insufficient moisture enters the internal organs and is wasted on lowering the body temperature and saving it from overheating. Also, increased stress is placed on the cardiovascular system. These processes prevent the healing of sutures and restoration of the bust after plastic surgery. Violation of this rule may lead to the development of postoperative complications.

Pouring cold water after a bath will also have a negative impact on women's health. Additional stress on the body can lead to illness, because the patient’s immunity is already weakened.

When can you wash?

You can shower on the fourth day after plastic surgery, but swimming is only allowed in the area below the waist. After the stitches are removed (approximately the second week after surgery), you are allowed to take a full shower.

Bathing in the bathroom is prohibited for the entire first month after surgery. Under no circumstances should the water when bathing be cold or hot. You can only wash with warm water 37-37.5 degrees.

Visiting the pool is allowed 4-5 months after surgery.

Is it possible to drink alcohol?

1. In the first time after surgery, a woman may be prescribed painkillers and antibiotics, and their use is not compatible with alcohol. Otherwise, adverse reactions may develop.
2. Alcoholic drinks slow down the healing process and wound healing.
3. Since the body is weakened after surgery, alcohol can lead to the development of diseases and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

You can start drinking alcoholic beverages no earlier than two months after surgery, but in any case not before the sutures have completely healed. A similar ban applies to smoking.

When does the first menstruation occur after surgery?

On average, menstruation after mammoplasty can be delayed by 1-2 months, since the body has suffered serious stress, needs a long recovery, and was also under the influence of anesthesia. Due to endocrine changes occurring in the body, a temporary disruption of the menstrual cycle is possible.

Normally, the process should stabilize and be accompanied by the usual symptoms: breast swelling, aching pain, irritability, mood swings, etc. If, despite the positive dynamics of suture healing and the absence of complications, menstruation does not begin after 2 months of rehabilitation, you need to visit a gynecologist. The doctor may prescribe a course of hormonal medications.

Is it allowed to visit the solarium and sunbathe?

Women should refrain from tanning and visiting solariums for a year after surgery. During tanning, the implant heats up quickly but cools down slowly. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause:

• Deformations of prostheses.
• Consolidation of fibrous (scar) tissue.
• Breast asymmetry.

To correct such complications, repeat surgery is often required.

In addition, ultraviolet rays can lead to pigmentation in the area of ​​incisions and sutures, and darkening of scars. In view of these consequences, visiting a solarium and tanning in the open sun is possible no earlier than a year after mammoplasty.

Throughout the entire rehabilitation period, a woman must carefully monitor her well-being and the condition of her bust. The following symptoms most often indicate the possible development of complications.

After the intervention performed to correct the breasts, you would rather get in shape and enjoy your own reflection in the mirror. But the woman still has a rehabilitation period ahead of her. Even when it goes well, some difficulties are inevitable. Sutures after breast surgery require special attention. They can heal in different ways, causing no trouble for some, forcing others to see a doctor again.

Read in this article

How to treat sutures and wounds after a mastectomy at home

To treat sutures and wounds after mastectomy surgery at home, use antiseptics (solution of iodine, brilliant green, potassium permanganate, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Dioxidin), ointments (Kontraktubeks, Eplan, Levomekol).

General rules of care after breast removal

After removal of the mammary gland, you must follow the general rules of care:

• inspect the postoperative suture daily, and if any discharge, swelling or redness of the skin appears, see a doctor;
• treat the wound site 2-3 times a day with an antiseptic liquid, it can be alcohol, Chlorhexidine, iodine, brilliant green, pink solution of potassium permanganate, Furacilin, Dioxidin, Miramistin as prescribed by the surgeon;
• apply a sterile bandage.

From the time the dry crusts come off, you need to lubricate the scar with creams, gels and ointments. This helps speed up healing and prevent the formation of too dense tissue. The surgeon may recommend: Actovegin, Solcoseryl, Vulnuzan, Levomekol, Contractubex, Stellanin. The choice of specific drugs remains with the specialist, since upon discharge he determines the stage of healing and the risks of complications.

Application of Contractubex on sutures

Contractubex is applied to a formed scar after removal of sutures and removal of dense crusts.. Its properties:

• inhibits the increased proliferation of coarse connective tissue;
• relieves inflammation, irritation and allergies;
• inhibits the growth of bacteria;
• softens;
• soothes itching;
• smoothes the skin.

The drug stimulates healing and at the same time prevents the formation of a keloid, dense scar. Apply 2 times a day with gentle, gentle rubbing into the seam. Treatment lasts from several weeks to 2-4 months.

How to treat the breast if an absorbable suture is applied after surgery

If after the operation a suture is placed with absorbable threads, then antiseptics are used when treating the breast - Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Dioxidine. When a scar is formed, it is recommended to lubricate it with ointments with a softening and wound-healing effect: Dermatix, Eplan. The basic rules for caring for a postoperative wound do not change, but the threads will not need to be removed.

Care after mammoplasty

The success of the operation depends on care after mammoplasty: treating the suture with alcohol, Miramistin, other antiseptics, applying healing and absorbable ointments.

How long should scars on the areola be treated with alcohol after mammoplasty?

It is recommended to treat scars on the nipple areola after mammoplasty surgery with alcohol until the crusts covering the wound fall off on their own. Use either alcohol or solutions of iodine, brilliant green at the discretion of the doctor. At the next stage of treatment, absorbable ointments are used.

Wound after breast reconstruction: what cream to use to heal

• Contractubex– has a softening, anti-inflammatory effect, contains heparin, onion extract and allantoin;
• – silicone gel, smoothes protruding scars, lightens them;
• Imoferase– based on the enzyme hyaluronidase, reduces redness, pigmentation, itching, dryness, moisturizes;

• Vulnuzan– contains salts from Lake Pomorie, has a strong anti-inflammatory and cleansing effect, is used for long-term non-healing wounds;
• Eplan– the active ingredient is glycolan, it inhibits the growth of bacteria, relieves pain, stimulates tissue restoration, relieves swelling;
• Stellanin– simultaneously exhibits an antimicrobial and wound-healing effect, accelerates the fusion of suture edges during inflammation;
• Mederma– softens scar tissue, prevents keloid formation. A similar result is provided by: Kelocode, Dermofibraze, Dermatix, Contrarubet, Zeraderm.

Creams for healing scars after nipple surgery

After mammoplasty surgery, creams, gels and ointments are recommended for healing scars on the nipples; the most effective ones include: Dermatix, Mederma, Kelofibrase, Contractubex, Imoferase. They are applied after drying and rejection of dense crusts.

How to treat a seam at home with Miramistin

To treat a seam at home, Miramistin is applied to the surface of the skin. It is most convenient to use a spray bottle. First you need to remove the remnants of the bandage covering the wound. If it is difficult to remove, you can moisten it with hydrogen peroxide. Then Miramistin solution is sprayed and left until dry. This drug has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action and is indicated for the treatment of purulent and uncomplicated postoperative wounds.

What foods should you eat to help your stitches heal faster after breast surgery?

To speed up the healing of sutures after breast surgery, you need to eat foods containing:

• protein – cottage cheese, fish, chicken, turkey;
• collagen – berry, fruit jelly, jellied meat;
• vitamin C – sea buckthorn berries, black currants, bell peppers, kiwi;
• vitamin A and provitamin carotene – carrots, liver, parsley, tuna, yolk;
• zinc – pine nuts, peanuts, beans, oatmeal.

What else should you do to make the stitches on your chest heal faster?

To make the stitches on your chest heal faster, you need to:

• do not load the shoulder girdle - avoid lifting heavy objects, active movements of the limbs until scar tissue forms (from 15 to 20 days);
• monitor the condition of the wound, treat it with antiseptics, lubricate it with cream as prescribed by the surgeon;
• take a shower in the first month, covering the seam with a bandage;
• be sure to wear underwear with a slimming effect, and you should have at least 2 sets to change to clean ones every day;
• prevent pressure on the seam, do not sleep on your side.

Watch this video about caring for stitches after breast augmentation:

How to care for seams: brief instructions

For a speedy recovery, it is important that postoperative sutures scar normally. Even if the material was self-absorbable, they need care, because the tissues injured during the intervention will not heal instantly. This will take time, during which you need to ensure that no infection gets into the wounds and that the edges remain securely fastened.

Proper care will ensure not only fast care, but also the absence of obvious signs that the woman had plastic surgery. What does it consist of:

• On the first postoperative day you need to rest in a semi-sitting position. This will help to avoid heavy load on the seams, hence their possible divergence.

• Necessary control the appearance of scars. At first they are red, but as they heal they turn pale and shrink in size.

• Sometimes the attending physician recommends treat sutures after mammoplasty with antibiotic ointments, in other cases they insist on simply wiping them with sterile wet wipes. Experts prescribe using brilliant green and other solutions to prevent infection.
• In each case, you need to follow the recommendations, since the material used for suturing varies, as do the individual characteristics of tissue healing. Therefore, you should not be arbitrary in choosing care products, ignoring the doctor’s opinion.

• After removing the stitches you can smear them with absorbable creams and ointments, after consulting with the surgeon. Contractubex will help improve the appearance of scars by applying a silicone strip to the incision site overnight.

• Necessarily 30 days wear. It will help to avoid excessive tension of the skin in the area of ​​the seam, that is, it will not allow it to hurt longer than expected and, moreover, will not allow it to separate. And to prevent infection, you should change your underwear daily.

• You can wash only 3-4 days after surgery, avoiding contact of water and shower gel on the seam areas. It is best to do this with a bandage, removing it after the procedure. You cannot rub the body in the area of ​​the mammary glands with a washcloth for 3-4 weeks.

• Need to avoid physical activity for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Rest helps damaged tissues heal faster and relieve pain in the suture area. This is also important for their correct formation without hypertrophy.

• Sleeping on your back without turning on your side or stomach, it will take at least 2 - 3 weeks. This way, it will be possible to relieve the skin of excessive tension, therefore, avoiding increased blood supply in the area of ​​the sutures, the risk of their damage and hypertrophic development.

To learn how rehabilitation after mammoplasty should proceed, watch this video:

When the scar resolves

The natural desire after surgery is to look as if the breasts have always been like this without intervention. This will only be possible after at least 2 months.. But even then the scar will change, becoming more and more smoothed out and invisible. The whole process can last a year. It also depends on what material was used during the operation:

• If self-absorbable threads were used to fasten the edges of the wounds (which happens with light intervention), they will disappear after 2 - 3 months. There is no need to remove them from the body, but caring for the sutures is still necessary.

• The use of synthetic threads requires their subsequent removal. Of course, the patient is eager to know in advance when the sutures are removed after mammoplasty. This will happen after 7 - 10 days. The doctor will evaluate the condition of the tissue dissection sites, the degree and quality of their healing.
• Haste can lead to the formation of rough, prominent scars, which will then have to be treated. And in the worst case, they may separate, or inflammation may occur in this area.

Removing stitches can be a little painful. To a greater extent, it depends on the mood of the patient herself. If she is afraid in advance, she involuntarily tenses, which intensifies the negative sensations. But the manipulation itself to remove the suture material is quite fast.

Another sign that causes concern and suspicion that not everything is going as it should is pain at rest and during movement. This feeling is natural, because living tissues and blood vessels were damaged during the operation. It lasts about 7 days. Very susceptible women complain that their stitches hurt after mammoplasty for up to 2 - 3 weeks. If all this time the feeling is decreasing, there are no other alarming signs, it does not indicate anything dangerous.

It may hurt more in the area of ​​the stitches due to excessive physical activity. women, especially when the upper half of the body is involved (arms are raised, shoulder movements are made). Incorrectly selected compression garments can provoke the sensation. In this case, it will need to be changed to a more suitable size.

Watch this video about how stitches are removed and further breast care:

Consequences of intervention

Healing of the sutures occurs with the formation of fibroblasts, which eliminate the tissue defect resulting from the incision. An epithelial coating then forms in the wound, preventing bacteria from entering.

Gradually, the edges of the wound are attracted to each other. Thin seams are formed, which, with favorable developments, are hardly noticeable, but are still visible. Carrying out mammoplasty involves their location in such places that prying eyes will be unable to detect its traces.

What is important for good seam aesthetics besides maintenance:

• Age. In young people, healing proceeds faster due to a high ability to regenerate and a more active immune system.
• Normal weight. With its excess or deficiency, recovery occurs more slowly.
• Nutrition. It must be complete to ensure the supply of “building material” for newly formed tissues. Sufficient intake of fluid into the body is also important.
• No bad habits. Alcohol and smoking interfere with the production of new cells.

Complications during suture healing

With a high-quality operation and good care after it, negative consequences in the suture area are rarely detected. But each organism is unique, in addition, anesthesia and the intervention itself provoke some suppression of the immune system. Therefore, complications cannot be 100% excluded:

• Inflammation. It can occur due to bacteria entering the wound, as well as from the body’s rejection of implants. If the seam is red, swollen and the area around it hurts, this is an alarming sign. Most likely, you will need treatment with antibiotics, possibly dissection, washing the wound and re-fixing the edges of the injured tissue.
• Sometimes you have to remove the implants, undergo treatment and perform the operation again. If after 2 weeks swelling in the suture area persists or reappears, the temperature rises, pain occurs in the problem area and head, the incision oozes purulent fluid and blood, you should definitely consult a doctor.

• Formation of hypertrophic or keloid scar. Complications can develop due to insufficient care. But sometimes the culprit is a feature of the body that was not previously detected because the woman had not previously undergone surgery at all. Thin, almost imperceptible stripes remain after the intervention for everyone. But hypertrophy must be treated, sometimes surgically.
• Seroma. It can occur not only in the immediate vicinity of the implant, but also in the suture area. Then serous fluid is released from it. If you don't take action, it's not far from here to inflammation.

• Seam divergence. This problem is also not difficult to notice yourself. If the suture breaks after mammoplasty, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Until his help arrives, the area of ​​tissue damage should be treated with an antiseptic (iodine or brilliant green).

The seam hurts, pulls, tingles - is this normal?

If the suture pulls or tingles, or there is pain, this means that the healing process is taking place. These symptoms are not cause for concern if:

• localized only in the wound area;
• gradual subsidence of pain;
• reducing swelling;
• absence of fever, headache, chills, twitching pain;
• availability in the first weeks.

Moderate pain occurs for at least 2 months, but in some women it is felt in the first six months after surgery.

The seams do not heal

If the sutures do not fuse after surgery, it is recommended:

• wear special adhesive plasters that hold the edges of the wound - strips (you may need to stick them on for several months);
• wear retaining underwear for at least 4-6 weeks;
• include protein products in the menu (chicken, fish, turkey, cottage cheese), gelatin-based jelly, fruits and berries with vitamin C - sea buckthorn, rose hips, citrus fruits;
• do not allow the seam to get wet, dry thoroughly after water procedures;
• apply ointments with a wound-healing effect - Solcoseryl, Contractubex.

Suture oozing after mammoplasty

The suture after mammoplasty may ooze, that is, there is always a discharge of clear or slightly yellowish liquid on its surface. This symptom may be the first sign of seroma. This is the name for the accumulation of fluid in the area of ​​contact between the gland tissue and the implant. It consists of the plasma part of the blood; with a small size and good outflow, it resolves on its own.

If there is no drainage, the patient does not wear shapewear, and puts pressure on the shoulder girdle, then the seroma increases. This causes severe pain and fever. In this case, a visit to the surgeon is required. It will help remove accumulated fluid. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia and does not affect the result of mammoplasty.

Watch this video about complications after breast augmentation:

What are the dangers of pus on the suture after surgery?

Pus on the suture after surgery threatens the development of inflammation. Its signs:

• after a week the pain does not subside, but intensifies;
• the wound and the skin adjacent to it are swollen, red, hot;
• headache, fever, and weakness occurred.

Antibiotics are prescribed for treatment, but this should only be done by a surgeon after examining the wound. In some cases, it is necessary to allow the outflow of pus; installation of drainage (tube or elastic band) will be required.

There is also this option - the wound healed normally, but after a few weeks (sometimes months and even years) swelling and a red polka dot appeared on the seam. It matures and opens with the release of pus. This happens when the suture material remaining in the wound is rejected (ligature fistula). If it comes out with pus on its own, then complete healing occurs. But perhaps surgical help will be needed. When surgery is not required, the following is prescribed:

• lotions with saline solution (10 g per 100 ml of water, boil and filter through sterile gauze, bandage in 6 layers);
• applications of ointment with ichthyol;
• washing with antiseptics (for example, Dioxidin), enzymes (Chymotrypsin).

After the suture material appears, it is removed and the wound is treated with antimicrobial agents.

Expert opinion

Tatyana Somoilova

Cosmetology expert

In all cases of suppuration or fever, you should urgently consult a surgeon. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

What does it mean if the seam turns red after breast removal?

If after removal of the mammary gland the seam turns red, this means:

• Option for normal healing in the first 2-3 weeks, the suture requires observation and treatment.
• Infection when there is swelling, pain and fever. It is caused by the penetration of bacteria into the wound or the introduction of blood from the site of a chronic process (for example, the nasopharynx). One of the common options is erysipelas. Examination by a surgeon and antibiotic therapy are recommended.
• Relapse of the tumor process, which occurs after 8-12 months, is accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, lumps in the chest, severe weakness, fever, pain in the gland, bones, and joints.

Why does the seam on the mammary gland darken?

The seam on the mammary gland may darken for the following reasons:

• formation of normal scar tissue;
• vascular sprouting (hypertrophic scar);
• healing with the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of a rough keloid.

In the latter case, this is accompanied by the risk of a significant cosmetic defect. The main symptom is the spread of scar tissue beyond the postoperative wound. At the same time, patients feel itching in the suture area, and there is pain when pressing. For treatment, creams with silicone (Dermatix, Kelocode), laser therapy, and liquid nitrogen treatment are used.

A hypertrophic scar resolves over time, but usually this happens within a year.. You can speed up the process by using:

• laser resurfacing;
• local hormone injections;
• ultrasonic treatment with Contractubex, Hydrocortisone;

Why do stitches take so long to get wet after a mastectomy?

The main reason for the long healing of the suture after a mastectomy and the weeping surface of the wound is low immunity. It accompanies tumor processes and weakens as a result of taking cytostatic drugs, hormones, and radiation therapy. Risk factors are also considered:

• diabetes;
• obesity;
• age after 40 years;
• smoking;
• food lacking protein and vitamins;
• hot and humid weather;
• circulatory disorders.

It is important to consider that weeping wounds are a gateway for infection. It is recommended to dry them; for this, the surgeon may recommend:

• lubricate with iodine, brilliant green;
• treat with a mixture of calendula tincture and chloramphenicol;
• sprinkle with Baneocin powder.

Ointment bases can enhance separation, so only gels are applied (for example, Solcoseryl). If there is redness, severe itching or burning, or fever, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Redness around the stitch

Redness of the skin surrounding the suture occurs during an inflammatory reaction. If this happens in the first week, and the pain and swelling do not become stronger, then this requires continuation of the prescribed treatment - treatment with antiseptics, antibacterial ointments, wearing compression garments.

If redness appears some time after initial healing, there is swelling and an increase in local, general temperature, then this means infection has entered the wound. It can come from the outside or from a source of chronic inflammation in the body. You should consult a surgeon to determine the condition of the wound and the advisability of using antibiotics.

Why is the suture hard after surgery?

The suture after surgery may become hard due to the accumulation of blood under the skin (hematoma) or compaction due to inflammation. In the first case, there is usually no pronounced temperature reaction, but pressure on the seam is painful. For resorption, ointments with heparin and Lidaza are used locally.

If there are signs of an inflammatory reaction (red and hot skin, swelling, elevated body temperature), local therapy with antibiotics, their administration by injection, or taking tablets is prescribed. In case of compaction of any origin, surgical treatment of the wound may be required - drainage to ensure the outflow of accumulated fluid (inflammatory exudate or blood).

Yellow fluid is oozing from the seam

If the yellow liquid released from the suture is transparent, then this is a sign of seroma. This is the name for the accumulation of the plasma part of the blood, lymph. It may also contain a small admixture of blood from injured vessels.

After mammoplasty, it is often a reaction to the installed implant, suture material, and during mastectomy it is associated with an abundance of lymphatic pathways, which are inevitably damaged during the operation. Treatment requires fluid drainage and drainage installation. Sometimes seroma resolves on its own.

If the liquid is yellow, thick with a greenish tint, then it is pus. Its separation from the seam is a sign of microbial penetration. In such cases, an urgent visit to the surgeon is needed to determine treatment tactics - antibiotics or wound treatment followed by anti-inflammatory therapy. The purulent process does not disappear without treatment, but only spreads.

Blood from the suture after surgery

The appearance of blood from the suture after surgery occurs when the vessel is damaged or the clotting ability is reduced. If the bleeding is slight and there is no pain, then local use of a hemostatic sponge is recommended. Severe bleeding will require surgery. An urgent examination by a doctor is needed if there are signs of inflammation during blood discharge - redness, swelling, twitching pain in the suture area, temperature.

Other complications

Mammoplasty and mastectomy may be accompanied by postoperative complications: the internal or external suture on the nipple comes apart, the temperature rises, and after the suture is removed there are threads on the skin. With any of these consequences, it is important to contact a surgeon as soon as possible, as there is a risk of infection and bleeding.

The inner seam has come apart

Dehiscence of internal seams after breast surgery is possible with early exercise, heavy lifting, or refusal to use compression garments. Symptoms:

• chest pain;
• swelling;
• asymmetry of the mammary glands;
• discharge from the wound of yellow liquid with a bloody admixture.

For treatment, it is important to immediately contact a surgeon. He makes a diagnosis based on examination and ultrasound. Depending on the degree of suture divergence, either rest and tightening knitwear or surgical correction are recommended. It is impossible to cope with this problem on your own.

The seam on the nipple has come apart

If the suture on the nipple comes apart after surgery, you need to lubricate its surface with any antiseptic (iodine, brilliant green), apply a sterile napkin and immediately contact a surgeon. To prevent this complication, it is important not to load the shoulder girdle, not to carry heavy loads, and to use compression garments for at least a month.

Temperature rises after stitches are removed

If after removing the sutures the temperature rises above 37.5-38 degrees, then the reason for this may be infection. A variant of the norm is considered to be a temperature reaction of up to 37.5 in the evening for 14 weeks, provided that there is no increase in swelling, pain and redness of the skin.

In all other cases, it is important to consult a surgeon as soon as possible, since infection requires removal of the installed implants and a break for healing of at least six months.

Threads left after surgery: how to get them out

If there are threads left after the operation, the surgeon must remove them. To do this, you can contact a specialist at your place of residence, but you should not do it yourself. The visible part of the thread is insignificant, and the main segment is located under the skin. Without the skill of removing a suture, you can injure a postoperative wound. In addition, all manipulations must be carried out under completely sterile conditions to prevent infection.

Watch this video about what symptoms should alert you after breast augmentation and be a reason to consult a doctor:

After how many days are the stitches removed?

Sutures are removed after mammoplasty and breast lift after 1-1.5 weeks, and for mastectomy, the estimated time frame is 12-14 days after surgery.

After breast augmentation or lift

After breast augmentation or lifting, the sutures are removed for 7-10 days, provided that the postoperative period proceeds without complications (inflammation, seroma, hematoma are absent).

After breast resection

Removal of sutures after breast resection depends on the volume of fluid flowing through the drainage. If it is no more than 50 ml, then the drainage tubes are removed, and after 3-4 days the sutures are removed. Most often this happens 12-14 days after surgery.

How long after breast surgery can the suture be wetted?

It is possible to wet the suture after breast surgery only after a while – usually on 2-3 days, since the drainage must be removed. The doctor may then allow the patient to take a warm shower, but the wound must be covered with a bandage. The water temperature should be moderately warm; it is better to use regular baby soap or gel with a neutral pH.

It is important to consider that if there are signs of inflammation, surgeons prohibit water procedures; then you should wipe the body with wet wipes in the area of ​​the mammary glands. Bathing is not recommended for at least 1 month.

FAQ

How long does it take for threads to dissolve after breast surgery?

After 18 days they lose half their strength, and after 2-3 months they completely dissolve. The speed of this process depends on the material used.

How long does it take for internal sutures to dissolve after surgery?

Some surgical threads dissolve on day 40, while there are others that remain until day 90-120. The type of seam also matters.

How long does it take for self-absorbing sutures to dissolve??

On average, the sutures become free of self-absorbable threads within 60-90 days.

How many days does it take for a stitch to heal after breast surgery?

In the absence of complications, healing occurs on average in 15-20 days. But the seam will be visible for at least six months.

How long does it take for nipple stitches to heal?

The approximate time frame is 2-3 weeks, but provided that treatment is carried out daily, compression hosiery is used, the shoulder girdle is not loaded, and there are no concomitant diseases.

Why choose fibrin after mammoplasty surgery?

The use of fibrin after mammoplasty surgery has the following advantages:

• invisible seam;
• stability of the implant in the breast;
• fast recovery;
• low risk of complications;
• no drainage required;
• completely resolves in 5 days.

Fibrin glue is applied to the wound dropwise or using a special sprayer. Before use, it is defrosted and the two components interact. Thrombin activates fibrinogen, resulting in the formation of fibrin threads. This process exactly replicates natural blood clotting.

What the stitches will look like after breast augmentation externally largely depends on the patient. If the desire to be more beautiful is so great that a woman decides to undergo aesthetic surgery of the mammary glands, she should not be afraid to ask questions about her doctor and care. And the main thing is to follow his advice and believe in success.

There are three main types of access for installing implants: through the armpit, through the areola and through the fold under the breast. It must be said that everything is not limited to these types of cuts. If we correct the shape of the breast and reduce it, then additional incisions are made directly on the chest. The type of incision that is chosen to place an implant is largely neither the patient's choice nor the surgeon's preference. Each type has its own indications.

Underbust incision

If the breasts hang down and the lower fold under the breasts is pronounced, then the surest way to access is to make an incision under the breasts. If there is no such fold under the breast, it is small or high, “girlish”, but the size of the areola is at least 3-3.5 centimeters, you can place implants, gaining access through the areola. A large areola, by the way, is an indication to go through it.

Axillary access

The axillary approach is indicated for petite girls with a small areola and small breasts. Some time ago, the axillary approach was at the peak of popularity. Everyone wanted it, highlighting as an advantage the fact that there would be no scars on the chest. In my opinion, scars in the armpits can hardly be called invisible. After all, ladies wear T-shirts and open dresses more often than topless.

The axillary approach is highly respected by many of my colleagues. But you need to understand that such an operation is done “remotely”. We form a subcutaneous tunnel and, guided by the camera, perform manipulations with special instruments. In case of access through the areola or fold under the breast, there is a chance to correct something with your hands, make sure that everything is even and symmetrical. I can’t say that it is impossible to adjust the position of the implant using axillary access, but the risks increase. Hands are safer in this sense.

In general, this whole story with sutures is becoming more and more unconvincing every year: modern suture materials are of such quality that sometimes, a month after the operation, I am already looking for scars, straining my vision and memory. Operations with access through the armpits are very popular in China and Korea. These are the features of the Asian phenotype: fragile, small, breastless girls. Often the size of the areola does not allow for an implant, and there is a risk of excessive contouring, that is, a situation in which this implant will scream that it is it. Here, the axillary approach will allow you to install the implant under the pectoral muscle and smooth out the severity of the forms.