Dangers and Risks with Breast Implants
Even when surgery promises a desirable outcome, the idea of undergoing a procedure is frightening and not something to which anyone looks forward. And, of course, this apprehension also applies to breast augmentation surgery to enhance the size and shape of the breast tissue.
Breast Implant Risks
The best way to ameliorate your fears about potential dangers is to ensure the work will be done by a board-certified plastic surgeon who holds the appropriate medical qualifications. Additionally, it is important to completely understand those potential issues so you can ask the right questions and judge the quality of the answers you receive.
The majority of breast augmentations are safe and trouble free, producing the desired results. You should however, be aware of the following:
Additional Surgeries:
Once a breast augmentation has been performed, there will always be the possibility for further surgery, especially if there is a need to replace or to remove an implant because of leakage or some other defect or complication.
Breast Tissue Atrophy:
If the implant creates pressure against the wall of the chest, a deformity known as breast tissue atrophy can result. The tissue thins and shrinks. This may happen if the implants remain in place, or if they have been removed.
Capsular Contracture:
When the scar tissue or capsule that forms around the breast implant tightens, usually after an infection, the implants can become squeezed or contracted. The symptoms may range from mild firmness and discomfort to severe pain and a shifting of the implant itself. The condition should be treated as soon as possible.
Cosmetic Results:
While the majority of breast augmentation patients have positive experiences with the outcome of the surgery, some are dissatisfied. The primary problems are wrinkling, asymmetry, implant displacement, the choice of an incorrect implant size, an unanticipated shape, implant palpability, scar deformity, hypertrophic scarring, and "sloshing."
Pain:
Following breast augmentation surgery, you should expect to rest for a week to allow your body to heal. Much like any other surgical procedure, it is not unheard of for patients to feel pain of varying intensity and duration. However, if the pain lingers or worsens, you should consult your plastic surgeon immediately. Severe pain can be an indication of complications due to improper implant size or placement.
Breast Implant Deflation:
Also known as rupture, this is a condition that occurs when the breast implant has deflated due to either a leak or a rupture of the implant shell.
Hematoma/Seroma:
Both of these conditions typically occur within 24 hours of the original augmentation surgery and relate to issues involving the patient's blood. Hematoma refers to the collection of blood inside tissue, and seroma is the collection of the watery portion of the blood. Both can cause infection and the development of capsular contracture. In particularly severe cases, the patient may need to undergo surgical draining to properly heal.
Infection:
Infection can occur after any surgery. The additional complication in patients with breast implants is that doctors have more difficulty treating post-surgical infections due to the presence of the foreign element -- the implant itself -- in the body.
Nipple and Breast Sensation Changes after Breast Implant Surgery:
Due to the amount of surgical work necessary for breast augmentation, an increase or decrease in the ability of the the nipple and breasts to register sensation is to be expected. Nerve endings are often severed during the procedure, with feeling not returning for months. Changes can be permanent and can extend to a total loss of feeling.
Producing the Desired Results
As with all surgeries, no matter how minor or major they may be, there is always some level of risk involved. Fact of the matter is most breast augmentations are safe, hassle free and yields the results a patient is looking for.
Eliminate Risks by Being Informed
The best way to eliminate your fears about the risks involved with breast implants is to always ensure that the surgeon performing the operation is not only board-certified but also educated and experienced. Furthermore, one must understand the potential issues so you can ask your surgeon the right questions and use your own judgement when it comes to the answers that are given. To schedule a free consultation with a Board Certified surgeon, simply fill in your contact information in the form below or on the right hand side of the page and we will shortly thereafter contact you.
