What are the risks and possible complications of breast augmentation surgery?
All surgery comes with risk. The decision to have breast augmentation surgery in Orange County and whether or not the risks are acceptable are unique to each individual.
Capsular contraction
- Capsular contraction is the most common side effect, or complication, of breast augmentation surgery in Orange County. It can cause discomfort or pain. When the pocket for the breast implant is created, a scar capsule forms around it and under normal circumstances does not cause a problem. Capsular contracture occurs when the scar capsule that surrounds the implant shrinks or contracts, squeezing the implants, resulting in varying degrees of firmness. Capsular contraction can occur at anytime and develop in either breasts. It is possible that capsular contracture occurs as a result of a very mild infection.
- Textured breast implants may change how the scar capsule develops, which greatly reduces the risk of getting a capsular contraction.
Severe capsular contracture may require surgical intervention. Rarely, the contraction recurs and cannot be eliminated after multiple surgeries. In such cases, the implant may be removed and the breasts augmented with your own fat.
Wrinkling
- breast augmentation surgery using textured breast implants can cause visible wrinkling under the skin. Once in a while, the edge of the breast implant can be felt. This is usually mild, requires no treatment and frequently improves or disappears within a year.
Asymmetry
- If your breasts varied in shape before surgery, they may also be slightly different following breast augmentation surgery. If it becomes a problem after healing, a small adjustment can be made.
Loss of Sensation
- The nerves in the breasts may be cut or damaged during breast augmentation surgery. It does not happen all the time and the nerves recover in 1 to 2 years in 85 percent of the patients.
Implant Movement
- When the muscle contracts, the breast implants will temporarily flatten and/or pull upward. Occasionally, the breast implants may move higher than their original position.
Calcium Deposits
- A thin layer of calcium may occur in the scar capsule that surrounds the implant several years after breast augmentation surgery. Because the calcium adds to the density of the scar, there may be a reduction in the detectability of lesions close to the scar during a mammogram. However, breast cancer may still be detectable so long as specialized techniques are used.
Mammogram Interference
- Before a mammogram, let the technician know you have breast implants. There are special techniques applied in order to see as much of the breast tissue as possible, but some breast tissue may not be visible.
- Though rare, an implant may rupture due to the compression during a mammogram.
Breast Feeding Interference
- Breast augmentation surgery may interfere with the ability to breast feed, though many women with breast implants have done so successfully.
Deflation
- The breast implant may deflate if the implant fails, causing saline to leak. This is rare, not harmful and the body will absorb the saline. However, the breast implant will have to be replaced.
Loss of Skin, Nipple or Breast Tissue
- An extremely rare complication, loss can occur from an infection that causes the death of the involved tissues but will heal with good care. Usually only small areas are affected but secondary surgery may be required.
Exposure or Extrusion
- A rare complication is the erosion of the breast implant through the skin or scar, caused by severe wrinkling, infection, inadequate tissue coverage or capsule formation. The breast implant would most likely need to be removed temporarily.
Synmastia
- The loss of cleavage may occur when the skin over the breastbone pulls away from the bone, causing either the skin to tent in between the pockets or the pockets to merge and become one. Though this is unusual, secondary surgery will be needed.
Hematoma
- In a small percentage of women, bleeding may occur in the pocket with the implant. Minimal bleeding will be absorbed by the body over time but significant swelling will require the blood be removed by a secondary surgery.
Infection
- In rare occasions, an infection may develop. They are often mild and heal without further problems. If the infection is serious, the breast implants will be removed for several months until the infection heals.
Immune Disorders
- Claims regarding silicone gel implants contributing to connective tissue disorders such as systemic lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. have been made. Other side effects involving the skin and nervous and immune systems have been reported. However, scientific studies have not found a direct relationship and the silicone implants are FDA approved.
Breast Cancer
- Studies show that breast cancer incidence in women with and without breast implants is roughly the same or lower in women with implants.
