|
Breast Implant
Risks
Breast
augmentation as with any operation has risks: those associated
with general surgery, and specific complications associated with
this procedure.
The
most common problem, capsular
contracture. This occurs if the scar or capsule around the
implant begins to tighten. In the early days of breast
augmentation, this occurred more often and some theorize it was
related to talc that use to be used to powder surgical gloves.
Now non talc gloves are used, and this occurs less often. The
development of a contracture around an implant can cause
the breast to feel hard. Severe contractures are treated with
implant removal or replacement.
Any
surgical procedure also carries a risk excessive bleeding.
This can occur during, or following the procedure. If it
occurs after the procedure it usually just results in increase
swelling and pain, which is temporary. If bleeding
continues, it may be necessary to go back into surgery and stop
the bleeding and remove excess blood that has accumulated.
Occasionally
an infection may occur around an implant. This is
most often seen within a week after surgery. In rare cases, the
implant may need to be removed for several months until the
infection clears. Afterwards a new implant can then be inserted.
Some
women report loss of sensation in their nipple, but they may
also become overly sensitive. Loss of
sensation is more common in breast lift-implant procedures.
The area around incision may also have small patches of
numbness, or increase sensitivity. These symptoms usually
disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
It usually takes at least a full year to find out what the final
sensation will be.
Breast
Implant Leakage
Occasionally,
breast implants may break or leak. The saline fill is salt
water and will be absorbed by the body without ill effects.
Older
implants with silicone gel can leak also. If this occurs, one of
two things may occur. If breakage of the implant shell that has
a contracture scar around it, then it may not feel like anything
has happed. If the shell breaks and there is not a
contracture scar, then leakage into the surrounding tissue
results in a sensation that the implant is deflating. The
leaking gel may collect in the breast and a new scar may
form around it. In other cases gel can migrate through the
lymphatic system to another area of the body. Breaks
may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking
implant. If the gel has migrated it may not be possible to
remove all of the silicone gel. This silicone gel is the what
some say is related to the initiation of connective tissue
disorders. Testing
for Breast Implant Rupture
Breast Cancer
No
link between breast implants and cancer has been found.
However, breast implants can make mammogram screening more
difficult, so it is important to find a radiology center that is
experienced in screening patients with breast implants.
Occasionally alternative or additional techniques may need to be
performed to screen for cancer. www.fda.gov
Mammography
guidelines for women with implants
Breast
Feeding
Breast
feeding may be a problem in certain cases. Peri-areolar
procedures seem to carry the most risk related to adequate
breast feeding. If a lift (mastopexy) is performed, then the
risk of dysfunction related to breast feeding is even greater.
(Hurst, N.M., Lactation After Augmentation Mammoplasty,
Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1996; 87: 30-34)
Of
all the breast implant surgeries performed, a few women have
reported symptoms similar to diseases of the immune system, such
as scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions. For
the latest research click here.
Capsular
Contracture
The
most common problem, capsular
contracture. This occurs if the scar or capsule around the
implant begins to tighten. In the early days of breast
augmentation, this occurred more often and some theorize it was
related to talc that use to be used to powder surgical gloves.
Now non talc gloves are used, and this occurs less often. The
development of a contracture around an implant can cause
the breast to feel hard. Severe contractures are treated with
implant removal or replacement.
Any
surgical procedure also carries a risk excessive bleeding.
This can occur during, or following the procedure. If it
occurs after the procedure it usually just results in increase
swelling and pain, which is temporary. If bleeding
continues, it may be necessary to go back into surgery and stop
the bleeding and remove excess blood that has accumulated.
Occasionally
an infection may occur around an implant. This is
most often seen within a week after surgery. In rare cases, the
implant may need to be removed for several months until the
infection clears. Afterwards a new implant can then be inserted.
Some
women report loss of sensation in their nipple, but they may
also become overly sensitive. Loss of
sensation is more common in breast lift-implant procedures.
The area around incision may also have small patches of
numbness, or increase sensitivity. These symptoms usually
disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
It usually takes at least a full year to find out what the final
sensation will be.
Home
Breast Implants, Lifts, Reconstruction,
Augmentation, Reduction, Enhancement, Enlargement
|
