subject: Risks And Potential Complications Of Breast Implant Surgery! [print this page] The Most Common Complications and Adverse Outcomes of silicone gel-filled and saline-filled breast implants
Are you considering undergoing breast implant surgery? If yes, then you must understand that it is not without risk. Consult a good surgeon to understand the risks and complications associated with breast augmentation, reconstruction or revision surgery you may be considering to undergo.
The most common local complications and adverse outcomes of a breast implant surgery are capsular contracture (hardening of breast area around the implant), reoperation (additional surgeries), implant removal and rupture or deflation of the implant. Other local complications include implant wrinkling, asymmetry, scarring, pain, and infection at the incision site. These local complications often result in reoperation or implant removal.
The following is a list of major complications and risks as listed by FDA:
Asymmetrywhen breasts are uneven in appearance in terms of size, shape, or breast level
Breast feeding difficulties
Breast pain
Breast sagging, also called ptosis
Calcium build-up in breast tissue, also called calcification
Capsular contracturehardening of the breast area around the implant
Chest wall deformitywhen the chest wall or underlying rib cage appears deformed
Deflation of the breast implantwhen filler material leaks from the breast implant often due to a valve leak or a tear or cut in the implant shell
Delayed wound healing
Extrusionwhen the skin breaks down and the implant appears through the skin
Hematomacollection of blood near the surgical site
Iatrogenic injury or damagewhen new injury or damage occurs to the tissue or implant as a result of implant surgery
Implant displacement or malpositionwhen the implant is not in the correct position in the breast
Implant palpability or visibilitywhen the implant can be felt through the skin
Implant removalwith or without implant replacement
Implant visibilitywhen the implant can be seen through the skin
Implant wrinkling or rippling
Infection, including Toxic Shock Syndromewhen during breast implant surgery, wounds are contaminated with micro-organisms, such as bacteria or fungi
Inflammation or irritation
Necrosiswhen there is dead skin or tissue around the breast
Nipple or breast changes, including change in or loss of nipple sensation
Redness or bruising
Reoperationadditional surgeries
Rupture of the breast implant when there is a tear or hole in the implants outer shell
Scarring
Seromathe collection of fluid around the breast implant
Skin rash
Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes, also called lymphedema or lymphadenopathy
Thinning and shrinking of the skin, also called breast tissue atrophy
Unsatisfactory appearance due to implant style or size
Before operation, you must consult an experience breast implant surgeon to be fully aware of risks associated with your breast implant. If you have already undergone the surgery and facing complications, talk to your surgeon immediately. You may also consult a senior and experienced breast implant surgeon to make sure that corrective actions are taken immediately.
