Breast Augmentation Risks That Must Be Taken Into Consideration

Breast augmentation surgery has climbed to the top of the cosmetic surgery popularity ladder. It seems women everywhere want larger, firmer breasts and they're willing to pay top dollar to have them. The benefits are obvious: improved self confidence, increased sex appeal, and (most importantly) elevated self confidence. But before you jump onto the nearest plastic surgeon cutting table, you need to consider the risks involved with breast augmentation procedures.

Have you ever heard of capsular contracture? Not many people have, but it’s a well known condition in the breast augmentation industry. When capsular contracture occurs, the body forms a hard layer of scar tissue around the implant. The layer is actually collagen fibers that surround and squeeze the implant (hence the word contracture). Not only can this scar tissue distort the look and feel of the breast, in more severe cases it can cause extreme pain. While the severe cases are obviously dangerous, the mild cases can also be very problematic since they usually go undetected and can lead to implant rupture and bacterial contamination. Surgery is the only method for correcting capsular contracture.

Implants are not stapled into position, neither are they sewn into position. Because they are not anchored to the woman's body by any means, they are sometimes prone to moving from their position. When this occurs, it is called implant displacement. As you can imagine, it can be an unsightly condition for a woman to undergo.

Round implants tend to be more forgiving with rotation or displacement because they are round in shape and slight movements or rotations often don’t aesthetically alter the implant. Anatomically shaped implants are another matter: they become very unsightly and any woman who has experienced displacement with an anatomical implant will tell you how upsetting such a condition can be.

Implant ruptures are when an implant develops a leak or tear in the outer shell and the filler (silicone or saline) starts to leak into the body. Silicone gel implants are generally considered the most dangerous of implants because a leaking silicone implant is virtually impossible to detect without an MRI. And since MRIs are expensive, most women who have ruptured implants will most likely live with the condition for years before the implant deflates enough for visible detection. The safest implant – at least when it comes to ruptures and leakage, is the saline breast implant. Because the saline solution is merely a saltwater mix, a leaking saline implant is generally considered harmless to the human body.

Rippling is another real concern that needs to be taken into consideration prior to surgery. If an implant ripples, the surface area of the implant will bunch together, much like a plastic baggie that is scrunched up. What makes rippling particular unsightly is the rippling effect will also occur on the skin surface of the woman's breast.

Perhaps the most dangerous risk for breast augmentation surgery is infection. Truth be told, any kind of surgical procedure poses a risk for infection. If one occurs, it must be tended to immediately because an infection can lead to death.

Would you like to learn more about the risks of breast augmentation surgery? You should speak directly with a licensed, board certified surgeon. Only a practicing breast augmentation surgeon can give you the latest information on the risks involved with breast augmentation surgery. Give one a call today and schedule your initial consultation – you won't be disappointed!