Breasts augmentation can give wonderful results but there are certain serious risks that should be considered before surgery. Not everyone is a good candidate.
Breast augmentation has become among the most leading forms of cosmetic surgery in recent years. The procedure is usually safe and most women report being pleased with the results. Women who start with smaller or sagging breasts often discover a sense of self confidence after healing.
However, women should realize that the outcome are never perfect and at least some minimal scaring is probable. Even more serious are the psychological risks that can occur when a patient realizes that her life can not suddenly become wonderful. The surgery will not relieve depression and the incidence of suicide in women after breast augmentation is several times the national expected risk for all women.
A quantity of physical risks can also occur. Most of these are rare, especially with highly experienced practitioners but can happen often enough that a potential patient aught to not take them lightly.
Capsular contracture is a scar that can form around the implant itself causing it to look and feel unnatural and often result in some pain. This condition seems to be more seen with silicone implants than with saline. Some scaring is almost inevitable and minor capsular contracture may not be noticeable.
Breast implants interfere with mammograms and can make the diagnosis of breast diseases, especially breast cancer, harder to do. Placing the implant under the chest tissue will result in the least interference. Wherever the implant is placed, it will not interfere with the woman's ability to do a self exam, nor does it limit the option of ultrasound or MRI scans.
Implants will occasionally become displaced and usually the amount of movement is not enough to be apparent. When it occurs it may require extra surgical procedures to secure it in place. Larger implants generally carry greater risk of shifting.
Saline implants can develop leaks and deflate. The saline solution carries no risk as it is absorbed into your body, but the breast will shrink to its preoperative size in a day or two. Surgery will be required to replace the defective implant. Implants that have been fully filled are less likely to leak. The risk is about 4% the first year and increases about 1% a year thereafter.
A silicon implant can also rupture. The silicon is absorbed very slowly by the body so the only symptom at first could be some pain from inflammation. The implant will need to be removed and replaced once a rupture is determined.
Rippling can occur as a waviness of the skin over the implants due to saline shifting about in the implant. It is most bothersome when it occurs on the top surface of the breast where it is more obvious with low-cut fashions. Fully filled implants, or implants placed under the muscle tissue are much less prone to rippling.
Infection is always a risk in any type of surgical procedure and seems to occur in about 1% of individuals. Infections normally will require antibiotics and removal of the implant. After six months with no recurrence of infection it is commonly safe to try again.
Implants do not limit the ability of a woman to breast feed but can result in some nipple numbness. If this possibility is unacceptable then you should probably not consider breast augmentation as permanent numbness occurs in about 15% of individuals.
No matter how well the original surgery you will most likely need to have surgery again at some point as no type of implant is as durable as the human tissues they try to imitate.
Breast augmentation surgeries are usually successful and the women are pleased with the outcome but any woman considering having this technique needs to fully realize the risks and be sure she is prepared to address the worst possible results.
Copyright 2007, Cosmetic Surgery A to Z