Breast Augmentation, The Promise, The Truth

Breast augmentation has become one of the most leading forms of plastic surgery in recent years. The technique is commonly safe and most women report being pleased with the outcome. Women who start with smaller or sagging breasts often discover a sense of self confidence after healing.

However, women need to realize that the results are never flawless and at least some minimal scaring is possible. Even more serious are the psychological complications that can occur when a patient realizes that her life can not suddenly become wonderful. The surgery will not relieve depression and the incidence of suicide in women after breast augmentation is a number of times the national expected risk for all women.

A number of physical risks can also occur. Most of these are rare, especially with highly capable surgeons but happen often enough that a potential patient aught to not take them lightly.

Capsular contracture is a scar that can form surrounding the implant itself creating it to look and feel unnatural and often result in some pain. This condition seems to be more common with silicone implants than with saline. Some scaring is almost inevitable and minor capsular contracture may not be noticeable.

Breast implants interfere with mammograms and can make the diagnosis of breast diseases, especially breast cancer, harder to do. Placing the implant under the chest muscle will result in the least interference. Wherever the implant is inserted, it will not interfere with the woman's ability to do a self exam, nor does it limit the option of ultrasound or MRI scans.

Implants will occasionally become displaced and usually the amount of movement is not enough to be apparent. When it occurs it may require extra surgical procedures to secure it in place. Bigger implants generally carry greater risk of movement.

Saline implants can develop leaks and deflate. The saline solution has no risk as it is absorbed into your body, but the breast will decrease to its preoperative size in a day or two. Surgery will be required to replace the defective implant. Implants that have been fully filled are less likely to leak. The risk is about 4% the first year and increases about 1% a year thereafter.

A silicon implant can also rupture. The silicon is absorbed very gradually by the body so the only complication at first may be some pain from inflammation. The implant will need to be removed and replaced once a rupture is determined.

Rippling can occur as a waviness of the skin over the implants due to saline shifting around in the implant. It is most bothersome when it occurs on the top surface of the breast where it is more obvious with low-cut fashions. Fully filled implants, or implants inserted under the muscle tissue are much less prone to rippling.

Infection is constantly a risk in any type of surgical procedure and seems to occur in about 1% of individuals. Infections usually will require antibiotics and removal of the implant. After six months with no recurrence of infection it is usually safe to try again.
Implants do not limit the ability of a woman to breast feed but can result in some nipple numbness. If this possibility is unacceptable then you should not choose breast augmentation as permanent numbness occurs in about 15% of patients.

Regardless of how well the original surgical procedure you will most likely need to have surgery again at some point as no type of implant is as durable as the human tissues they try to imitate.

Breast augmentation surgical techniques are usually successful and the women are pleased with the results but any woman considering having this technique needs to fully understand the risks and be sure she is prepared to deal with the worst possible results.
By: Dr. Mohan Purohit