Breast Augmentation Complications
Breast Augmentation Complications-How Common Are They?
When considering breast enhancements, it is important to remember that as with any other kind of surgery, there are breast augmentation complications and risks associated with this type of surgical procedure. Luckily, there are ways of reducing the risks to ensure that they do not happen to you. Understanding and educating yourself with the complications and risks is a good place to start.
Capsule contracture is the most common of the breast augmentation complications. Although it can happen at virtually any time, it appears to be more common within the first couple of months after the surgery is completed. When capsule contracture occurs, a capsule develops during the healing process and tightens, thus squeezing the implant. This can make the implant feel hard and sometimes even resemble a tight ball.
There are some factors that place individuals at higher risks of developing a capsule contracture than others. Breast implants that are positioned above the muscle, rather than those placed behind the muscle, have a higher rate of developing a capsule contraction. In addition, having a seroma places you at a higher risk, as does hematomas which can cause an inflammatory effect.
Bottoming out is one of the more common breast augmentation complications as well. This refers to the act of the breasts descending too far down on the chest. If it happens right after surgery, it could mean that the pocket was over-dissected. However, if it happens later then it might be due to the heaviness of the implant itself. This complication is more common in very thin patients and with implants that are positioned above the muscle.
Although rare, extrusion can also occur in breast augmentations. This generally develops when the wound hasn’t closed or the tissue weakens. When extrusion occurs, the implant may need to be taken out completely.
Symmastia can develop at any time after surgery and might not be apparent right away. It usually happens due to the over-dissection of the tissues found around the cleavage. Sometimes it is done on purpose to help create cleavage. When it happens, the breasts appear to meet in the middle, sometimes giving one the appearance of having only one breast. Although it appears predominantly in thin women, it is also the least common of all the breast augmentation complications.
A hematoma occurs when a collection of blood forms in the surgical area. When it happens, a painful mass can develop. Occasionally, a hematoma resolves itself without any intervention. However, sometimes they have to be drained. It is important not to use aspirin, Vitamin E, and garlic supplements which are all blood thinners, for at least two weeks before the surgery and 2 weeks after the surgery, unless directed by your doctor.
You might have heard that breast implants can rupture or deflate over time and this can occur. Some of the reasons that this can happen are due to severe cases of capsular contracture, breast trauma, and normal wear and tear on the implants. It is recommended that MRI imaging is conducted 3 years after the surgery and every 2 years after that to ensure that the silicone gel breast implants have not ruptured.
Although you might not feel a silicone silent rupture, you most likely will feel a symptomatic rupture. Signs of this are burning, pain, lumps, hardness, and changes in the shape and size of the breast.
Lastly, as with any surgery, infection is always a risk when going under the knife, although infections after breast augmentations are not very common. Patients typically suffer infections right after the surgery itself, although they can occur within weeks after the surgery is completed.
Signs of an infection include swelling, inflammation, and fever. Most of the time, antibiotics are used to treat infections. However, if the infection is very bad the implants might have to be taken out until the infection has cleared.
To reduce your risk of infection, it’s important to wait a couple of weeks before taking a bath or going swimming. You should also try to keep from touching the incision because bacteria from your hands can get inside of it. If your breasts itch, as is common after the surgery, then apply lotion cautiously and try not to get it near the incision.
It is very important to follow the directions that your surgeon gives you when receiving breast augmentation. This can help you reduce the risks of developing complications, as well as keep infections from occurring.