Breast Augmentation Risks

Specialist in breast implants, breast augmentation, and breast implant exchange for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

To see the steps of breast augmentation using 3-D illustrations, visit the breast implant surgery page.

Bleeding- It is possible, though exceptionally unusual, to experience a bleeding episode after breast enlargement surgery. Should post-operative bleeding occur after 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.

Infection- Breast implant infection is also exceptionally unusual after breast augmentation. It may appear in the immediate post operative period or at any time following the insertion of breast implants. Subacute infections may occur after 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 additional breast surgery may be necessary.

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 implant may have to be removed. After the infection is treated, new breast implants can usually be placed. It is extremely rare that an infection would occur around a breast implant from a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body, however, prophylactic antibiotics may be considered for subsequent dental or other surgical procedures.

Capsular contracture-A scar tissue layer forms around the breast implants. This scar tissue layer is called the breast implant 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 implant replacement, or breast implant removal.

Change in nipple and skin sensation- Some change in nipple sensation is not unusual right after 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- Excessive scarring is uncommon after 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- 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 wrinkling and/or folds may be confused with palpable tumors and questionable cases must be investigated. A breast implant may become visible at the surface of the breast as a result of the device 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 implant can occur as a result of an injury, from no apparent cause, or during mammography. It is possible to damage a breast implant at the time of surgery. Damaged or broken breast implants cannot be repaired. Ruptured or deflated breast implants require a replacement breast implant or breast implant removal. Breast implants cannot be expected to last forever.

Degradation of breast implants- It is possible that small pieces of the breast implant material may separate from the outer surface of breast implants. This is of unknown significance.

Implant extrusion- Lack of adequate breast tissue coverage or breast infection may result in exposure and extrusion of the breast implant. 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 implant becomes exposed, breast implant removal may be necessary. Smoking may interfere with the healing process after breast augmentation.

Mammography- 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 implant. 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- 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- 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 Implant displacement- Displacement or migration of a breast implant may occur from its initial placement and can be accompanied by discomfort and/or distortion in breast shape. Difficult techniques of implant placement may increase the risk of displacement or migration. Additional breast surgery may be necessary to correct this problem.

Surgical anesthesia- Both local and general anesthesia of 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- 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.

Seroma- Fluid may accumulate around the implant following breast enlargement surgery, trauma or vigorous exercise. Additional treatment may be necessary to drain fluid accumulation around breast implants.

Breast disease- 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- Thrombosed veins, which resemble cords occasionally develop in the area of the breast and resolve without medical or surgical treatment.

Allergic reactions- 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.

Silicone gel breast implants and immune system diseases and unknown risks- Some women with 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- 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 breast augmentation surgery. Asymmetry in breast implant placement, breast shape and breast size may occur after breast augmentation. Unsatisfactory surgical scar location or displacement may occur. Pain may occur following breast augmentation. It may be necessary to perform additional breast implant surgery to improve your results.

If you are searching for safe 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.

For more information click on the icon above or to see the actual breast augmentation surgery be performed on a live person, visit one of Dr. Brown's breast specific web sites. Return to our Virginia breast augmentation overview. To learn more about silicone-gel breast implant, click the link.

Prior to any surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a plastic surgical procedure.

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