Breast Augmentation - The Risks

The risks associated with Breast Augmentation surgery

What Are the Risks Associated With Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Before you commit to having breast augmentation surgery there are some important issues that you must understand in regard to the risks associated with this surgical procedure. Whatever you may have thought before be very clear - Breast Augmentation Surgery is not a risk free procedure. All surgical procedures carry risk - both during the procedure and afterwards. The risks may be low if the procedure is well carried out but it is still not risk free.

How long do implants last and do they burst?

Your breast implants will not last forever and are not necessarily a once in a lifetime procedure. Breast implants can and do rupture, albeit rarely. With saline-filled implants when a break occurs the saline contents are harmlessly absorbed by the body within hours. This is one of the advantages of this type of implant.

When a breast implant breaks you will recognize that this has happened because usually there will be a change in the shape and size of the breast. Most breast implants burst apparently spontaneously and without any clear cause. Blunt trauma to the chest region may also occasionally be a cause of an implant bursting. Once an implant has burst further surgery will of course be required to replace the implant.

What is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is one of the more common conditions associated with Breast Implant surgery.It happens when the scar or capsule which surrounds the breast implant tightens and hardens. This contracture usually results in the breast starting to feel hard and tight.

There are things that a breast implant patient can do to prevent and treat capsular contracture however. As the breast is healing the doctor may advise frequent massaging of the breast and this can reduce the likelihood of this condition developing. Once Capsular Contraction has developed the scar tissue, and possibly the implant, may need to be surgically removed.

Sensations of numbness and sensitivity

Your doctor should have warned you that it can be common for most women to experience some degree of numbness and sensitivity after the implant breast surgery. usually these will be passing symptoms but if they persist you should consult your doctor further to ensure that all is well. Some women experince a loss of sensitivity also around the nipples after they have recuperated.

Rippling of the implants

"Rippling" is a condition that happens when an implant moves. This may result in indentations, or "ripples" on the surface of the implant. If these effets are severe then the result may be unsightly and further surgery may be called for.

Breast Implants: Post-operative infections

Sometimes an infection can develop around the implants often within the first week or so after implant surgery. Such infections can and do howeverdevelop much later. Most infections can be succesfully treated using antibiotics. Where antibiotics are not succesful removal of the implants may be need to clear the infection.

Longer Term Health effects of breast implants

There has been concern that breast implants may be implicated in other and longer term health effects. Research is ongoing into the connection between the use of breast implants and various immune system diseases (eg scleroderma and other arthritis type conditions).
There has also been speculation about some link to cancer. No clear link has however been established between the use of breast implants and such serious longer term medical conditions. As a breast implant patient you should remain alert however for any ongoing research which may reveal such a link.

Your doctor will be able to advise you more specifically on the risks associated to your particular situation. If you are thinking about having breast implant surgery it is important that you think about these risks before you proceed with an implant operation.