Introduction > Plastic surgery > Breast augmentation - breast implants > Risks and complications
Risks and complications
Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. 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.
The most common problem associated with breast augmentation surgery, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. Therefore, the 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.
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.
Breast implants do not generally interfere with a woman's ability to breast feed, or present a health hazard during pregnancy to a woman or her baby. However, pregnancy and the associated changes to a woman's body may alter the results of any breast surgery, including surgery to place breast implants. Therefore, it is important to discuss the options of breast implant surgery with your plastic surgeon if you are interested in becoming pregnant and breast feeding in the future.
Occasionally, breast implants may break, but because of the cohesive feature of the silicone filler we use at ART MEDIC Cosmetic Surgery, the silicone will not leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of the breasts. Regular examinations to check your implants are highly recommended.
While the majority of women do not experience these complications, our surgeons will discuss each of them with you to make sure you understand the risks and consequences involved with breast augmentation surgery.
