Breast implant surgery is an excellent procedure for enhancing breast size and volume. It has consistently ranked among the top cosmetic surgical procedures for over 20 years. More so, the procedure has extremely high patient satisfaction rates on two major patient communities: Real Self and Real Patient Ratings. Still, it is important to note that there are still certain risks involved, and that breast implants may be a bad idea for some women.
Risks and complications of breast implants
Like any other surgical procedure, breast enlargement with implants has its fair share of risks and complications. These include the following:
- Scar tissue – incision sites may heal poorly, resulting in scar tissue that does not fade as expected.
- Infection – this is a common risk associated with all surgical procedures.
- Breast pain – breast discomfort is common during the recovery period. However, some women can experience more severe pain. Some other complications such as silicone implant rupture may be responsible for breast pain later on after recovery.
- Implant position changes – breast implants may change their position due to trauma or due to formation of a ‘capsule’ of scar tissue around the implant known as ‘capsular contracture’. This may necessitate a revision surgery to put them in their correct position.
- Implant leakage or rupture – both saline and silicone implants may rupture and leak, necessitating a revision procedure.
- Changes in nipple and breast sensation – in rare cases, there may be subtle but all the same noticeable changes in nipple and breast sensation.
Who should not have breast implants?
Breast implants (of any type) may be a bad idea for women who are:
- Under the age of 18 years
- Not physically or mentally healthy
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation is a highly successful cosmetic procedure – but only for the right candidates. If you are pregnant or nursing, the best idea is to push the surgery to a further date. Women who are unhealthy may need to watch their health before they can qualify for this procedure. While some of the complications associated with breast implant surgery can be concerning, working with a seasoned and board-certified plastic surgeon can help to drastically bring down the risks. If you thought about this procedure and are wondering whether you are the right candidate, the first step is to schedule a one-on-one consultation visit with our Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Ruston Sanchez.