Potential risks and side effects of breast augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery is recommended for patients who have small or asymmetric breasts that are not proportionate to the rest of the body. Increasing the size of the breasts with breast implants can create a more harmonious figure and give the patient a boost of self-confidence. The plastic surgery procedure to augment the breasts has been performed for several decades now, with high success rates when the surgery was played out by a talented, experienced plastic surgeon.

While breast augmentation surgery is associated with numerous benefits and can considerably change the patient’s life for the better, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the intervention. Being aware of these risks and side effects is crucial for a fast and uneventful recovery period.

Breast augmentation – the surgical approach

Just like it is the case with any other surgical intervention, the risks depend on the surgical method used. For example, when using fat transfer to augment the breasts, there are different risks and side effects compared to when breast implants are used. Silicone breast implants are different from saline solution filled breast implants, and, as a result, there are different risks involved.

Over the years, breast implant manufacturers have developed breast implants that are more resistant and less likely to rupture or leak. At the same time, plastic surgeons are using nowadays techniques that aim to prevent the occurrence of capsular contracture and other risks associated with the procedure. In other words, progress has been made both in terms of the materials used and the surgical approach.

One of the most popular methods to perform breast augmentation entails the use of an inframammary fold incision and placing the implant in a dual-plane (the upper part of the implant is under the pectoral muscle and the lower part under the glandular tissue). The periareolar incision is also indicated for patients who need smaller silicone implants or implants filled with saline solution.

What you need to know about silicone breast implants

Most often, we use silicone breast implants to augment the size of the breasts. These types of implants have a certain weight, shape, and volume. Just imagine a silicone capsule filled with a thick substance, a fluid with a higher density that perfectly imitates the consistency of the human tissue. The silicone capsule can have a smooth or textured surface and different profiles to help achieve different aesthetic goals.

Breast implants can be used for breast augmentation on all patients who are over 21 years old and have fully developed breasts. However, it’s also important to mention that breast implants can be used at any age for breast reconstruction purposes.

What are some of the risks and side effects of breast augmentation?

As mentioned above, whatever the type of implant or the surgical technique used, there are always certain risks associated with surgery in general and with breast augmentation surgery in particular.

• Capsular contracture

One of the specific risks associated with breast augmentation surgery is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a condition defined by the occurrence of a fibrous tissue that encapsulates the breast implant making the breasts hard and firm to the touch, but also painful and, in some cases, even with a distorted shape. The fibrous capsule occurs as a natural response of the body to the foreign object inserted – the implant. In a way, it’s like an internal scar, a tissue that thickens around the implant that could even change the shape of the breast and cause pain and discomfort. However, with daily massages, patients can prevent capsular contracture. In severe cases, capsular contracture can be treated surgically.

• Implant rupture or leaking

This is the risk that created a lot of debate in the past, but nowadays, it’s not really a problem anymore. The silicone implants we use now are more similar to a piece of silicone than to a bag filled with liquid (as it was in the past). Even if the silicone ruptures, it won’t leak or migrate into the breasts. In most cases, patients can’t even tell the rupture occurred as the breasts don’t change their shape, and there is no pain associated with this.

In the case of saline solution implants, we are talking about a silicone bag filled during the surgery with saline solution. If the silicone bag ruptures, the saline solution is absorbed in the tissues of the body. The saline solution is perfectly safe; however, the breast will look deflated, and revision surgery is necessary to correct this issue.

• Changes in breasts sensitivity

The changes in sensitivity are caused by the nerve damage that occurred during the surgery. We can talk about changes in sensitivity at the level of the nipple and areola complex, the scar, or the breasts. In most cases, the changes in sensitivity are reversible, patients experience numbness for a limited amount of time, and then normal sensitivity returns. However, in some cases, the lack of sensitivity can become permanent. This is the reason why some plastic surgeons prefer the inframammary fold incision to the periareolar one – to avoid changes in sensitivity at the level of the nipple and areola.

• Visible scars

Wounds’ healing is a process that can take months. It depends on many factors, from the patient’s natural predisposition to following the recommendations of the plastic surgeon or wearing the special post-op bra. Visible scars are often keloid or hypertrophic scars – in other words, abnormal scarring. This is actually about the predisposition we discussed before, and it could occur after any type of surgical intervention. To avoid large, unaesthetic scars, patients are advised to avoid overstretching the arms too soon after the intervention, lifting heavy objects from the flood, and wearing the compressive bra.

• Infection

This is one of the general risks associated with surgical intervention. If an infection occurs, the operated area will look red, swollen, and painful. High fever can occur, as well as puss coming from the surgical site. If you notice one or multiple infection symptoms, the recommendation is to seek medical assistance immediately. Antibiotics can be prescribed to avoid infections, and the plastic surgeon will also give you all the details about keeping proper hygiene at the surgical site.

Final words

Breast augmentation is one of the top plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide. It helps patients get bigger breasts and a more harmonious figure. But breast augmentation is associated with certain side effects. It’s important to discuss these risks with your plastic surgeon before scheduling the intervention. You can set up a consultation with Dr. Essie Yates, our board-certified plastic surgeon today, at the Yates Institute for Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale.