Breast Implant Infection

Is there anything I can do to prevent rejection or infection of the breast implant.  I got my first implants in 2005.  In 2008 my right implant nearly came out through the skin, due to an infection.  I had it removed and waited nearly six months to have it replaced.  The infection ate alot of breast tissue and muscle so I now have had two surgeries just to get my breast to look close to one another.  I am now really afraid that it will happen again.  Is there anything I can do to prevent an infection?  I mean three years is along time to wait to have trouble.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Infection following breast implants is quite rare and you are unfortunately among the few to have this complication.  The use of antibiotics before, during and after surgery should be discussed with your surgeon.  In addition, make sure that you do not undergo surgery if you have no other areas of your body with an unrelated infection at the same time.