Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with
any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific
complications associated with this procedure.
The
most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar
or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing
of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular
contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires
either removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue, or perhaps
removal or replacement of the implant.
As
with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the
operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding
continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding
and remove the accumulated blood.
A
small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant.
This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week
after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed
for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can
then be inserted.
Some
women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive,
or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near
your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time,
but may be permanent in some patients.
There
is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility, pregnancy,
or your ability to nurse. If, however, you have nursed a baby
within the year before augmentation, you may produce milk for
a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but
can be treated with medication prescribed by your doctor.
Occasionally,
breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result
of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of
your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak. If
a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a
few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the
body.
If
a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one of two things
may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around the
implant does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar also
breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone
gel may move into surrounding tissue. The gel may collect in the
breast and cause a new scar to form around it, or it may migrate
to another area of the body. There may be a change in the shape
or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a
second operation and replacement of the leaking implant. In some
cases, it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel
in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur.
A
few women with breast implants have reported symptoms similar
to diseases of the immune system, such as scleroderma and other
arthritis-like conditions. These symptoms may include joint pain
or swelling, fever, fatigue, or breast pain. Research has found
no clear link between silicone breast implants and the symptoms
of what doctors refer to as "connective-tissue disorders,"
but the FDA has requested further study.
While
there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer,
they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer.
When you request a routine mammogram, be sure to go to a radiology
center where technicians are experienced in the special techniques
required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant.
Additional views will be required. Ultrasound examinations may
be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps
or to evaluate the implant.
While
the majority of women do not experience these complications, you
should discuss each of them with your physician to make sure you
understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.
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