subject: Possible Early Complications Of Breast Augmentation [print this page] There are complications and potential risks associated with having a breast augmentation procedure. While there are plenty of patients who come through their operations with flying colors and experience no problems whatsoever, others do run into some issues. For this reason, being made aware of the possible complications that could arise is essential.
There are complications that can make an early appearance following the enhancement operation. Hypertrophic scarring is one of those. These kinds of scars are red, raised, and thick in appearance. Approximately two to five percent of breast augmentation patients develop hypertrophic scarring and require additional surgeries or treatments by way of steroid injections made directly into the scar.
Another potential risk that can occur shortly after breast augmentation is hematoma. This is a pocket of blood that accumulates within the wound. Hematomas occur in one to six percent of implant patients. A person who is going to develop a hematoma will develop it within two to three days following the augmentation operation.
The symptoms that indicate a hematoma include severe pain that does not respond to pain relievers and swelling at the incision site. The treatment for this condition is a tube that is placed in the bosom for the purposes of draining blood from the affected area. In most instances, the treatment will necessitate a visit to the hospital's operating room. If the pooling of blood in the wound is very small, treatment may not be required. The body is sometimes able to clear up the hematoma with its own built-in defenses.
Following breast augmentation, a seroma can develop. What this means is that fluid collects around the implant site, bringing about swelling and pain. A seroma is often described as being blister fluid. Similar to a hematoma, the blister fluid can leak from the blood vessels that were damaged during the operation. From there a collection of blood forms.
Larger seromas brought on by breast augmentation need to be removed because they can lead to infections. Usually the fluid can be taken from the wound carefully with the use of a needle and do not require a second operation. Unfortunately, sometimes this technique of draining the fluid backfires because it can potentially produce a hole in the implant that will cause it to deflate.
While it is a rare complication, wound separation (also known as dehiscence) bears mentioning. Within the first two weeks the procedure is performed, the wound edges separate and cause the wound to be opened up or in some cases, expose the implant. To solve this problem, Steristrips can be used to properly close up the incision. However, the patient may also need to have an additional operation.
Infection is a complication that occurs in an estimated two to four percent of patients who have cosmetic work done to enlarge their breasts. Infections usually occur because of bacteria that on a normal basis is found living on human skin. Most cosmetic doctors will administer a single dose of antibiotics before the operation gets underway to prevent any problems.
