The following are some of the main risks connected with breast augmentation cosmetic surgery. They are in no particular order of importance or likelihood of occurring.
Size: Your breast implants are too big or too small
After surgery when the swelling has settled down and you have got use to the new size and shape of you breasts, you may feel that you have not chosen the right size implants. This is obviously something that you will want to avoid. Spending time doing your own research beforehand will help reduce this risk. Also, being prepared for your consultation so that you can have a meaningful discussion on breast enlargement size with the surgeon will help.
Capsular Contracture
The human immune system naturally encapsulates any foreign object in a fibrous capsule. This includes your new breast implants. In the majority of cases, the capsule will remain soft and unnoticeable. However, in some cases, the capsule contracts, it becomes hard and may cause discomfort. Capsular contracture is the most common cause of further surgery being required but it is rare.Scarring
Scarring is something that will happen. The scars that result from the insertion of the breast implants are normally satisfactory and in line with those expected for a surgical procedure. However, in some cases, the scars may appear to be quite thick or red. They may take several years to improve. With breast augmentation surgery, an inframammary incision is usually used. Any scars appearing will be as discrete as can be.
Breast Feeding With Implants
Women with breast implants are at an increased risk of lactation Insufficiency or inadequate supply of milk for breastfeeding. They are also more likely to be deterred from breastfeeding due to their implants or concern that they will suffer from lactation insufficiency. It is important that you discuss breastfeeding with your surgeon, even if you do not plan on having a child in the near future but further down the line. Your surgeon will be able to work with you to obtain the best result.
Breast Implant Rupture
An implant rupture is where a hole appears in the silicone shell. Modern silicone elastomer shells are much tougher than with earlier implants and the risk of rupture with modern implants is less likely. If a rupture occurs it will not necessarily cause harm. Saline implants contain sterile salt water which is disposed of by the body naturally. The issue is that the implant deflates and needs replacement. Depending on the filler used in silicone implants then the silicone may or may not leak out.
Seroma & Haematoma
Seroma: In a very small number of cases, fluid can build up around the implant. It is caused by blood plasma leaking out of ruptured blood vessels and into the breast tissue around the implant.
Haematoma: Occurs when ruptured blood vessels leak blood into the breast tissue. It is a risk associated with any surgical procedure. They body may disperse the haematoma naturally but in some cases it may need to be drained.
Breast Implant Extrusion
If there is little breast tissue or the implant is not positioned properly, a lump or bump may appear on the surface of the breast. This is known as implant extrusion. It can also happen if part of the implant forces its way through a weakness in the natural breast tissue or muscle. It may feel or appear like the corner of the implant is digging in to the undersurface of the skin, even though the implant has no corners. Extrusion is rare; if it does occur, surgery may be needed to correct it.
Bottoming Out
With bottoming out, the breast implant moves downwards forcing the visible bottom crease of the breast to appear lower on the chest. It appears as though the bottom of the breast has dropped. If the implant is too heavy for the amount of skin and underlying breast tissue then bottoming out may occur. There is also an increased risk with overs. Another cause is over dissection of implant pocket during surgery.Symmastia (Uniboob) & Fluffing
Symmastia is also known as breadloafing or uniboob. The picture shows an example of symmastia. This complication only occurs with submuscular breast implant placement. It occurs when the two breasts touch one another in the center of the chest. When the implant begins to settle after surgery, it may move slightly out of the muscle pocket towards the middle of the chest and push up the skin and tissue above it.
Anaesthetic Risks
Breast augmentation surgery involves a general anaesthetic. Again, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with anaesthesia. Anaesthetic drugs may affect people differently and generally the risks are very low. Otherwise cosmetic surgery would not be a reality and only surgical procedures that were absolutely necessary would be performed. However, during anaesthesia, the whole body, brain heart and lungs are affected. Serious complications and effects are rare.
Reduced Nipple Sensation
Approximately one in seven women will experience a reduction in nipple sensation. This may range from a slight loss in sensation to a complete loss in sensation.
Ridges and Rippling
Women with little natural breast tissue are more at risk of exhibiting ripples, folds, creases or ridges. These effects may also occur with saline implants if they shrink slightly with age although this is not common.
Infection
As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection. In severe cases which are very rare, the implant may need to be removed and can only be replaced once the infection has cleared. However, the vast majority of infections can simply be treated with anti-biotics. If you have any redness, excessive swelling, excessive wound discharge or symptoms of infection, then you should contact your GP or clinic immediately or perhaps get it checked out at your local hospital A&E. Infections are most effectively treated if they are caught early.
Necrosis
Necrosis occurs when tissue dies. With breast augmentation surgery, the tissue around around the breast implant may become necrotic. It may prevent wound healing. Corrective surgery may be required which may need to result in permanent implant removal. Scar deformity may be more prominent or permanent.
Mondor's Cords
Mondor's Cords are firm cord-like bands that sometimes form just under the skin near the breast. Although they are temporary, they are often painful. Since Mondor's Cords are associated with the surgical incision, the location of the cords depends upon where the original incision was made. Mondor's Cords usually begin 1 to 4 weeks after breast augmentation surgery.
Other concerns and points to note ...
Breast Cancer
At present there is no evidence to suggest that silicone breast implants are associated with an increased incidence of breasts cancer. There is also good evidence that there is no increased risk of women with implants developing breast cancer.
If you have a mammography, you must inform the medical staff that you have implants so that the screening apparatus can be setup appropriately. There is no evidence to suggest that breast cancer is detected at a later stage for women with implants through breast screening.
Auto-Immune Disease
A disease in which the body mounts an attack response to its own tissues or cell types. Normally, the body's immune mechanism is able to distinguish clearly between what is a normal self substance and what is foreign. In auto-immune disease, this system becomes defective and mounts an attack against normal parts of the body, causing tissue injury. Certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma are considered to be autoimmune diseases. There is no evidence of an established link between auto-immune disease and silicone breast implants.
