Breast Augmentation Risks

Although there are many benefits to breast augmentation, there are also a number of risks involved, which should be carefully considered before you make the decision whether or not to go ahead. The risks include infection, capsular contracture, loss of or increased nipple sensation, rippling, displacement and ruptured implants. Infection, scarring and bruising are common side effects of any surgery however there are specific side effects related to having an implant inserted in to your breast as your body can see it as a foreign object and react to it. The risks of these complications occurring can be minimised by carefully picking your surgeon, following the post surgery recovery instructions and the type of implant you choose.

Swelling is very common following any breast augmentation surgery. The combination of increased volume from the breast implant and swelling from surgery may cause your breasts to feel large, heavy, and tight. The swelling can also extend downward into the abdominal area. The swelling in your breasts can take three to five weeks to go completely and wearing your recommended supportive surgical garments will help.

Bruising is fairly common after any surgery although not everyone will experience it. The amount of bruising you get will depend on how the implant is placed, its size and shape and the individual patient. While bruising is usually very minimal, if you have any large, firm, painful areas of bruising, contact your surgeon immediately as there is the possibility of developing a hematoma, which is a more serious type of bruise that will need treatment. However normal bruising should subside in one to two weeks.

Infection can occur with any type of surgery. It usually happens within one to six weeks of surgery. In the majority of cases an infection can just be treated with antibiotics, however in some cases the implant may need to be removed. Symptoms of infection include fever as well as severe tenderness, redness, and swelling. To avoid getting an infection, make sure you keep the area around your stitches clean and avoid putting creams or deodorants near it. You should also not submerge yourself in a bath or swimming pool during the recovery period.

Capsular contracture is a hardening of the tissue around the implant, caused by a natural reaction to a ‘foreign body’. A layer of scar tissue forms around the implant as it heals. When the scar tissue contracts it creates pressure on the implant, which can cause pain, hardening of the breast, and distortion of the breast shape. This usually only happens within the first few months after surgery although it can occur at any point after surgery. Recent advances in implant technology, such as the development of textured implants, have minimised the risk of this happening.

Nipple sensation can be affected by surgery. Increased sensitivity or numbness/loss of sensation in the nipples can be a permanent side effect, particularly in surgery where the nipple is removed and replaced. It is important to remember that this is very common as a temporary side effect however and, in most cases, the sensation in your nipples will return to normal after a couple of weeks or months. Your breasts will return to being as sensitive as they were previously. It is estimated that one in seven women experience loss of or a lessening in nipple sensation after breast enhancement but this is only permanent in a small percentage of cases.

Rippling occurs when the filling of the implant moves and causes a bump or ridge to appear in the outer shell. Rippling is most common with saline implants and is not common with smooth-surfaced implants, silicone gel implants, and implants that are placed beneath the chest muscle. Additional surgery would be needed to correct this problem.

Displacement occurs when the implant moves from the place it was inserted. This is extremely rare and will usually only happen within a couple of days of surgery. It can be corrected with additional surgery.

In rare cases implants can also rupture or leak. This happens when the outer shell of the implant tears and can happen with both saline and silicone implants. If a saline implant is ruptured or leaks your breast will deflate within a day or two. In most cases the implants can be replaced and there is no evidence to show the leaked solution causes any harm. If a silicone implant leaks, which is even more rare, you may not notice as the silicone gel is very thick and can still remain inside the implant. Although scientific studies have shown there is no link between silicone implant leaks and cancer or autoimmune diseases the fact that the leak happens so slowly means it will not be easily detected like it would with a saline implant.

There is also always a risk associated with undergoing general anaesthetic. You can experience side effects from anaesthesia, such as a sore throat, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shivering, or muscle pain but these are usually temporary. It is very important that you let your surgeon know if you have experienced any reactions to anaesthesia in the past.

Scarring will occur with any kind of surgery. The locations of your scars will depend on the technique used by your surgeon. Your scars will be firm and pink for approximately six weeks and will fade over the next few months but never disappear completely. Various topical medications are available to help minimise the appearance of scars.

Serious side effects and complications with breast augmentation are very unusual, however it is important to remember that if you do suffer complications you may require additional surgery to repair damage or remove the implants and could be left with scarring.

Some people are concerned about the link between breast implants and cancer. There is no evidence to show that this is the case, however there is a possibility they could interfere with cancer detection during routine mammograms. If you are going for a mammogram it is very important to tell your doctor and the screening technician that you have had breast augmentation. This will not only insure that they avoid placing excessive pressure on the implants but will enable them to get a more accurate reading by taking the fact you have implants in to account.

To find out more information about breast augmentation procedure and get some helpful tips on how to choose the right breast augmentation surgeon, visit our educational pages.