What Are the Risks of Breast Implants?
Breast augmentation, like all surgical procedures has risks and complications. While many of these complications can be avoided, it is important to discuss all possible surgical outcomes with your plastic surgeon before you undergo breast implant surgery.
The most common complication that may arise from breast augmentation is the implants do not give the breasts a natural look. They may make the breasts look disproportionately large or give them an unnaturally round shape. Other patients feel that their breasts are still too small or are unhappy with other aesthetic details of the surgical outcome. Before surgery, discuss your goals with your surgeon so that he or she can help you select the right breast implants and surgical plan to meet your needs.
Implant Displacement
Implant displacement is a potential complication that might occur. This is a situation where the implants move out of the original position the surgeon had placed them in. This can be reduced by using textured rather than smooth implants and by positioning the implant carefully within the chest. Learn more about the types of breast implants.
Rippling
Implant rippling is another potential complication that might occur. This can adversely affect the appearance of the breasts. This rippling effect resembles wave-like indentations on the surface of the breasts. The most common cause of this complication is from not filling the saline implants with a sufficient quantity of saline to give it a rigid form and shape. If there isn’t enough saline within the implant, there will be room for the saline to move around inside the implant shell, causing rippling on the surface of the breasts.
Rupture or Leakage
Rupturing or leaking is another breast implants risk. While a leak or rupture is generally the result of trauma, such as a blow to the chest, it may occur with no apparent cause. Saline implants will “deflate”, much like a balloon if ruptured. If this occurs, the patient will know something is wrong. On the other hand, silicone implants can rupture ‘silently,’ meaning it may not be noticed by anyone. For this reason, the FDA recommends that women who have silicone breast implants get an MRI screening done every two years to check for any ruptures or leaks in the implant. Silicone has been deemed to be safe for use within the breast as long as it remains contained within the implant shell. However, silicone leakage from the implant can be a health hazard if it comes into contact with your body. Fortunately, breast implants are designed to be durable so that they do not rupture very easily. According to recent statistics, only 1 out of every 10 implants rupture within the first 7 years after breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Feeding
The issue of breast implants becoming an impediment to breastfeeding is an issue of concern for many women thinking about breast augmentation. Breast implants have been designed to not interfere with the breastfeeding process but complications could occur. If you plan to breast feed, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon because it may impact the surgical technique.
Mammography
Breast implants could affect the ability to perform mammograms depending on the placement of the breast implants.
Capsular Contracture
One rare complication of breast augmentation is that tightly knit collagen fibers might develop around the implant. This condition is known as capsular contracture. This occurs because the body has identified the implant as a foreign object. The collagen and scar tissue may squeeze the implant causing pain. In such situations, the implants are generally removed from the body. The risk of developing this complication has gone down in recent years as medical technology has allowed for the development of new implantation methods as well as new styles of breast implants.
Some other possible risks that are common with any type of surgical procedure include adverse reactions to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and nerve damage resulting in temporary or permanent numbness.
To ensure the best outcome, its recommend that you choose a board certified plastic surgeon.