Rejuvenation
Breast Augmentation Surgery Risks & Safety
Specialist in breast implants, breast augmentation, and breast implants exchange for Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC
To see the steps of cosmetic breast augmentation using 3-D illustrations, visit the breast implants surgery page.
Bleeding after breast augmentation using implants - It is possible, though exceptionally unusual, to experience a bleeding episode after cosmetic breast enlargement surgery. Should post-operative bleeding occur after cosmetic breast augmentation, it may require emergency treatment to drain accumulated blood. Do not take any restricted medications for ten days before breast enlargement, as this may increase the risk of bleeding during or after breast augmentation. In nearly 15 years of performing breast augmentations, Dr. Michael J. Brown has no patient returns to the operating room for bleeding.
Infection after breast augmentation using implants - Breast implants infection is also exceptionally unusual after cosmetic breast augmentation plastic surgery. It may appear in the immediate post operative period or at any time following the insertion of breast implants. Subacute infections may occur after cosmetic breast augmentation and may be difficult to diagnose. Should an infection occur after breast augmentation, treatment including antibiotics, possible removal of the breast implants or implant, or additional breast surgery may be necessary. In nearly 15 years of performing breast augmentations, Dr. Michael J. Brown has no returns to the operating room for infection.
Infections with the presence of breast implants are harder to treat than infections in normal body tissues. If an infection does not respond to antibiotics, the breast implants or implant may have to be removed. After the infection is treated, new breast implants or implant can usually be placed. It is extremely rare that an infection would occur around a breast implants from a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body, however, prophylactic antibiotics may be considered for subsequent dental or other surgical procedures.
Capsular contracture after breast augmentation using implants -A scar tissue layer forms around the breast implants. This scar tissue layer is called the breast implants capsule. Excessive firmness of the breasts can occur soon after breast augmentation surgery or years later. In cases of capsular contracture, the symptoms of capsular contracture can be expected to increase over time. Capsular contracture may occur on one side, both sides or not at all. Treatment for capsular contracture may require surgery, breast scar tissue removal, breast implants replacement, or breast implants removal.
Change in nipple and skin sensation after breast augmentation using implants - Some change in nipple sensation is not unusual right after cosmetic breast augmentation. Several months after breast enlargement, most patients have normal sensation. Partial or permanent loss of nipple and skin sensation may occur.
Skin scarring after breast augmentation using implants - Excessive scarring is uncommon after cosmetic breast augmentation. In rare cases, abnormal scars may result. Scars may be unattractive and of different color than surrounding skin. Additional treatments and surgery may be needed to treat the abnormal scarring.
Skin wrinkling and rippling after breast augmentation using implants - Visible and palpable wrinkling of breast implants can occur. Some wrinkling is normal and expected. This may be more pronounced in patients who have saline-filled breast implants or thin breast tissue. Some patients may find wrinkles cosmetically undesirable. Palpable implant wrinkling and/or implant folds may be confused with palpable tumors and questionable cases must be investigated. A breast implant or breast implants may become visible at the surface of the breast as a result of the implant pushing though layers of skin.
Breast Implants- Breast implants, similar to other medical devices, can fail. Breast implants can break or leak. When a saline-filled breast implant deflates, its salt water will be absorbed by the body. Rupture of the breast implants can occur as a result of an injury, from no apparent cause, or during mammography. It is possible to damage breast implants at the time of surgery. Damaged or broken breast implants cannot be repaired. Ruptured or deflated breast implants require a replacement breast implants or breast implants removal. Breast implants cannot be expected to last forever.
Degradation of breast implants after breast augmentation - It is possible that small pieces of the breast implants material may separate from the outer surface of breast implants. This is of unknown significance.
Implant extrusion after breast augmentation using implants - Lack of adequate breast tissue coverage or breast infection may result in exposure and extrusion of the breast implants. Skin breakdown has been reported with the use of steroid drugs or after radiation therapy to breast tissue. If breast tissue breakdown occurs and the breast implants become exposed, breast implants removal may be necessary. Smoking may interfere with the healing process after breast augmentation using implants.
Mammography after breast augmentation using implants - Breast implants may make mammography more difficult and may obscure the detection of breast cancer. Breast implant rupture can occur from breast compression during mammography. Usually breast implants are placed below the muscle so it is relatively difficult to compress the breast implants. Inform your mammography technologist of the presence of breast implants so that appropriate mammogram studies may be obtained. Patients with capsular contracture may find mammogram techniques painful and the difficulty of breast imaging will increase with the extent of breast contracture. Ultrasound, specialized mammography and MRI studies may be of benefit to evaluate breast lumps and the condition of the breast implants. Because more x-ray views may be necessary with specialized mammography techniques, women with breast implants may receive more radiation than women without breast implants who receive a normal exam.
Pregnancy and breast feeding after breast augmentation using implants - There is insufficient evidence regarding the absolute safety of breast implants in relation of fertility, pregnancy or breast feeding. Some women with breast implants have reported health problems in their breast fed children. Only very limited research has been conducted in this area and at this time there is no scientific evidence that this is a problem.
Calcification after breast augmentation using implants - Calcium deposits can form in the scar tissue surrounding the breast implants and may cause pain, firmness, and be visible on mammography. These deposits must be identified as different from calcium deposits that are a sign of breast cancer. Should this occur, additional surgery may be necessary to remove and examine calcifications.
Breast Implants displacement after breast augmentation- Displacement or migration of breast implants may occur from its initial implant placement and can be accompanied by discomfort and/or distortion in breast shape. Difficult techniques of implants placement may increase the risk of displacement or migration. Additional breast implants surgery may be necessary to correct this problem.
Surgical anesthesia after breast augmentation using implants - Both local and general anesthesia of cosmetic breast augmentation involve risk. There is the possibility of complications, injury, and even death from all forms of surgical anesthesia or sedation.
Unusual activities and occupations after breast augmentation using implants - Activities and occupations which have the potential for trauma to the breast could potentially break or damage breast implants, or cause bleeding after breast augmentation using implants.
Seroma after breast augmentation using implants - Fluid may accumulate around the implants following breast enlargement surgery, trauma or vigorous exercise. Additional treatment may be necessary to drain fluid accumulation around breast implants.
Breast disease after breast augmentation using implants - Current medical information does not demonstrate an increased risk of breast disease or breast cancer in women who have breast implant surgery for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes. Breast disease can occur independently of breast implants. It is recommended that all women perform periodic self examination of their breasts, have mammography according to American Cancer Society guidelines, and seek professional care should they notice a breast lump.
Thrombosed veins after breast augmentation using implants - Thrombosed veins, which resemble cords occasionally develop in the area of the breast and resolve without medical or surgical treatment.
Allergic reactions after breast augmentation using implants - In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material, or topical preparations have been reported. Systemic reactions which are more serious may result from drugs used during surgery and prescription medicines. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment. Neither saline or silicone gel breast implants have latex in them and therefore breast implants do not pose a problem for women with latex allergies.
Silicone gel breast implants and immune system diseases and unknown risks- Some women with cosmetic breast implants have reported symptoms similar to those of known diseases of the immune system, such as systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and other arthritis-like conditions. A connection between implanted silicone and connective tissue disorders has been reported in the medical literature. To date, there is no scientific evidence that women with either silicone gel-filled or saline-filled breast implants have an increased risk of these diseases, but the possibility cannot be excluded.
Breast augmentation result after breast augmentation using implants - Subsequent alterations in breast shape may occur as the result of aging, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or other circumstances not related to breast implants. Breast sagginess may normally occur. You may be disappointed with the results of cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Asymmetry in breast implants placement, breast shape and breast size may occur after cosmetic breast augmentation. Unsatisfactory surgical scar location or displacement may occur. Pain may occur following cosmetic breast augmentation. It may be necessary to perform additional cosmetic breast implants surgery to improve your results.
If you are searching for safe cosmetic breast augmentation surgery minimizing risk in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington,DC, plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael J. Brown is an excellent choice to have this procedure from. His patients come from Loudoun, Fairfax, Reston, Herndon, Leesburg, Dulles, Ashburn, Middleburg, Great Falls, Potomac Falls, Alexandria, Vienna, Falls Church, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Richmond,Washington, DC to name a few areas. His office is in Loudoun county.
For more information click on the icon above or to see the cosmetic actual breast augmentation surgery be performed on a live person, visit one of plastic surgeon, Dr. Brown's breast specific web sites. Return to our Virginia breast augmentation overview. To learn more about silicone-gel breast implants, click the link.
Prior to any cosmetic surgery procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.
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