If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, it’s a good idea to understand the potential for complications before you proceed with treatment. Although most breast augmentation surgeries occur without any complications, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the risks so that you can prepare for them.
Potential breast augmentation complications include capsular issues, rupture/leakage and infection. There is no way to guarantee that these complications will be avoided, but information from this post can be used to form questions for your next medical consultation and serve as advice on best practices in attempt to steer clear of these issues.
What Are the Complications?
Breast augmentation is a relatively safe procedure but, like all medical procedures, there is potential for complications. Learn about a few of the most common breast augmentation complications so that you can set appropriate expectations for your procedure.
Capsular Issues
The scar that forms around the implant is known as the capsule. Everyone will form a capsule around their implant, but capsular complications may occur in about 20 to 25 percent of breast augmentation cases. These complications come in two forms: either the capsule does not develop well enough or it develops too much.
If the capsule does not develop well enough, the implant may not be secure and it can slide out of place. This displacement, however, can be fixed with a single, relatively quick operation, which involves reopening the old incision. The implant is then removed and plication (suturing of the weak or stretched tissue to strengthen it) is performed and the implant is replaced. If the implant is damaged a new one would be placed. In cases of recurrent displacement or when it is very severe, a substance called acellular dermal matrix is added to the pocket to help thicken and stabilize the space.
When a capsule develops too much, on the other hand, it is known as capsular contracture. In capsular contracture, the tissue around the implant becomes hard and can tighten, which can cause the breast to be painful and abnormal in appearance. This, too, can be fixed in a single operation, which most often involves reopening the original incision, temporarily removing the implant and removing the areas of the scar which are symptomatic. In some cases all of the scar tissue will need to be removed, in other cases just one area is sufficient. The implant is then replaced. If necessary the pocket will be sewn or pleated to help position the implant correctly.
Rupture and Leakage
Another breast augmentation complication is implant rupture and leakage. Most implants are made of silicone gel and sometimes, they can become damaged and start to leak. There are several reasons this may happen, the most common is due to the normal aging process and ongoing stress in the implant pocket from normal activity and motion. Other causes include compression such as during a mammogram or larger trauma like a car accident. Occasionally implants may be damaged during surgery.
The important thing to know is that a leaking implant is not harmful and it may not need to be replaced. Often a leaking implant will cause no change in the look or feel of implants. Replacing a ruptured implant is only recommended if it causes aesthetic issues or physical symptoms.
Infection
As with all surgeries, infection is a noteworthy risk of breast augmentation. This breast augmentation complication can come about at any point during or after the procedure, but it is most common within two to three weeks. Following your surgeon’s pre- and post-operative instructions is the best way to proactively attempt to avoid infection. If your implants do become infected, there are fortunately ways to treat an infection.
Oral antibiotics are the most common treatment for infection due to breast augmentation surgery. However, careful attention must be paid to how the body responds to treatment. If fever and irritation do not subside within a day or two after starting antibiotics, the implant must be removed.
Furthermore, an implant removed due to infection cannot be replaced immediately. In order to reduce the risk of additional breast augmentation complications, patients who have experienced an infection must wait three months before having a new implant placed.
Can These Complications Be Avoided?
The next question on most patients’ minds once they’ve learned about the range of breast augmentation complications is whether the complications can be avoided. The answer is that complications cannot be avoided with certainty, but their likelihood can be reduced using the best practices referenced below.
There is no way to guarantee that capsular contracture, rupture or infection will not occur. Their incidence depends on several factors, such as a patient’s physiological reaction to the operation, which can vary widely from person to person. Some factors that are known to increase the risk of capsular contraction, however, include smoking, diabetes and previous exposure to radiation.
While there is no way to completely guarantee the absence of breast augmentation complications, there are some recommended practices to increase your chances of a fast and smooth recovery.
Best Practices to Avoid Complications
Surgery can feel like something that is out of your hands, but there are in fact some steps you can take to reduce your chances of experiencing breast augmentation complications.
Stop Smoking
While there is no way to guarantee that capsule issues will not occur, smoking is a known cause of capsular contracture. Not smoking, as well as being in good overall health, is a good way to facilitate a positive outcome.
Find a Trustworthy Surgeon
Another way to avoid complications is to find a surgeon you trust. Your surgeon’s skills and qualifications play an important role in the efficiency and quality of the treatment you receive. Having a diligent, efficient and thorough surgeon in charge of your operation will result in a lower risk of complications. For this reason, it’s a good idea to research prospective surgeons so that you can be sure that you make the right choice.
Follow Instructions
A final way to avoid breast augmentation complications is to follow your surgeon’s instructions, both before and after your operation. Your surgeon will give you advice on both how to prepare for the operation and how to care for yourself afterwards. Adhering to these guidelines is a good way to avoid issues with your implants.
If you have additional questions about breast augmentation complications, you should schedule a consultation with a qualified surgeon. By researching the procedure and discussing it with medical professionals, you can gain a clear understanding of the risks and benefits involved, and you can feel more confident in your treatment decisions.
