Breast Implants Gone Wrong
Uh-Oh: Breast Implants Gone Wrong!
While the idea to get breast implants may seem appealing, there is an unfortunate number of people who have experienced breast implants gone wrong and may have a few words of caution for you! We’re going to discuss the process of a breast augmentation and how the procedure should ideally result. Then we will discover how breast implants can go wrong and how this scenario can be avoided.
Breast implant surgery, formally known as a breast augmentation, is a surgical procedure which is performed either to enhance the shape or increase the size of a patient’s breasts. Before a person can have the surgery performed, they must first sit through a consultation with the plastic surgeon. The surgeon will need to know exactly the type of results the patient is looking to obtain, such as desired cup size as well as shape. The doctor will discuss with the patient the different incision types as well as the different types of implants available. The patient may want to ask the doctor’s opinions as to what type of incision and implant would best suit their body as well as their goals for the future. The doctor should be very informative and have some experience in breast augmentation (including pictures of previous results).
While doctors have experimented with implant “fillings” since the late 1890’s, the most common implants used today are saline or silicone-filled. Both types of implants have their perks (no pun intended), but both also have their share of risk. The doctor should go over all of the overall risks of the procedure, as well as his/her recommendations for the patient long before the surgery is scheduled. The patient should be sure to let the doctor know of any medical conditions they may have as well as any medication they are taking, as this could have an effect on the patient’s safety during the procedure. Sometime before the surgery, the patient should ask the surgeon how long they should abstain from working, exercising, heavy lifting, etc. For most women, a week of recovery is the norm however each woman’s body and situation is different.
The doctor will likely draw guide lines in marker on the patient’s chest. This helps the doctor obtain a visual of what the breasts looked like in the beginning and where they should be by the end of the procedure. The patient will be put under anesthesia and the doctor will make the proper incisions. The size and quantity of the incisions depend on the type of implant the patient has chosen and how much they want to increase their breast size. As a general rule, saline-filled implants usually require a smaller incision, as they are not filled with saline until after the implant has been inserted behind the breast or muscle tissue. The doctor will make sure that the size and shape of the breasts are proportional, stitch up the incision, and move the patient into a recovery room until they awaken.
Normally, the breasts will be swollen, bruised, and slightly painful; however this should subside within a few weeks. Scarring should be quite minimal, but will most likely result in permanent scaring.
Now we are going to discuss occurrences of breast implants gone wrong. Saline-filled implants and silicone-filled implants are both at risk of rupture. They may both remain intact for many years, but at some point they will fail. When a saline-filled implant ruptures, the result is a highly noticeable deflation. When a silicone-filled implant ruptures—even the smallest leak—there may not be any visible deflation. Most people with silicone implants are recommended to have regular MRI monitoring in an attempt to catch any leaks that might be unnoticed. The risk level of silicone gel leaking into the cavity around the implant is unknown; however there is an increased likelihood of inflammatory nodules forming, as well as the lymph glands becoming swollen.
Another case of breast implants gone wrong includes capsular contracture. The body usually forms a wall made up of collagen fibers around the implant. This is the immune system’s way of naturally handling the “invasion” of the implant. Sometimes this wall can squeeze down on the implant, resulting in pain and deformation in the breast’s appearance.
When either a rupture or capsular contracture occurs, a surgery will be necessary to remove the implant and replace it. While one must take care not to be too rough with the implants, sometimes a rupture cannot be avoided. Anyone considering breast augmentation should be aware that the implants will most likely fail at least once throughout the patient’s life, and a corrective surgery will be required.
If you are considering breast implants, be sure to voice any concerns or questions that you may have to your plastic surgeon. The best way to make your decision is by being informed about both the advantages and risks of the procedure.