Breast Enlargement Risks | Breast Augmentation Risks

In recent years, breast augmentation surgery has become one of the most common and regularly done elective cosmetic procedures in the United States. The average number of patients that come in for breast enhancement procedure in the country alone has been reported to be 200,000 per year, and this figure is even expected to grow within the next five years.

Many women have already done and walked out of the procedure satisfied with the results of their breast augmentation surgery. There are thousands more, however, who have wanted to go through the procedure, but are scared of the possible risks that they may encounter with breast enlargement.

As in any surgical operation, breast augmentation procedure also has risks involved, and for every patient, it is but smart to be aware of those risks before deciding to go through the surgery. There are risks that are very minor and there are those that have permanent effects on a patient.

Risks of Breast Augmentation

1. Loss of sensation – After breast augmentation surgery, some implant patients experience loss of sensation in the nipple and breast area. This is a result from damage of the nerve endings in the breast and nipple. The loss of sensation issue varies from patient to patient. Some cases of loss of sensation are temporary and usually only last until the patients have fully recovered from the operation. Some, on the other hand, are permanent. Your doctor’s surgical technique plays an important role in contributing to this complication. Your plastic surgeon must be able to do the most appropriate implant and surgical technique to minimize the risk of loss of sensation.
2. Breastfeeding – Many women who have had their breasts enlarged have successfully breastfed. However, there are cases that the breast implants may cause interference on the lactation or milk flow. Breast augmentation procedure has different incision types - infra-submammary, periareolar, transareolar and axillary. The best option for women who wish to have their breasts enlarged and be able to breastfeed later in their lives is the axillary incision type. The incision is made in the armpit and does not damage the glandular tissue, nerves and blood supply. The breast tissue is not disrupted, which means that the milk flow is also not disrupted.
3. Rupture – Breast implants do not last for a lifetime. Sooner or later, they need to be replaced. Implants can break and rupture due to different reasons such as the natural aging of the implants, excessive compression to the breast or trauma to the breast, which cause the implants to break.
4. Leaking of Breast Implant Material – Studies have been conducted to determine the possible harmful effects of the leakage or leaching of breast implants. After thorough observation, the studies concluded that there is no sufficient evidence of any harmful effects of leaking breast implants that are made of materials approved by the FDA.
5. Mammography – Breast implants may impede the detection of breast cancer because the implants could hide suspicious tumors or lesions during x-rays or ultrasound. It is best to inform your treatment provider about your previous breast augmentation surgery so that they will know what to do during your breast exam. A special imaging system is required to detect any symptoms of breast cancer from women who have breast implants in addition to the usual screening process. Remember to tell the radiology technician about the breast implants to ensure that he or she uses this special imaging system during your breast exam. This takes more time than the usual mammogram. That is why it is also important for you to inform your clinic’s receptionist about your breast implants so that more time will be allotted for you.

Latest Improvements in Breast Augmentation Technology

Going through breast augmentation surgery, like any other surgical procedure, involves risks. Since the introduction of breast implants in the 1920’s, however, there have been many improvements on their use. Over the years, breast cosmetic surgeons, with the cooperation of the FDA and other concerned agencies, have come up with impressive technological developments to achieve excellent results as well as minimize the risks involved in breast augmentation surgeries. The growing number of patients coming in for the procedure and living happily with their decision to have breast implants can attest that the risks are now reduced to the minimum. The advances in the field of cosmetic surgery have put breast surgeries in a level that is considered to guarantee safe breast augmentation procedures.

Knowledge of the risks in any breast surgical operation is always recommended. There are many resources like the Internet, journals and magazines that you can get to learn about the procedure you wish to have and the risks that are involved. It is also recommended that, even with all the reading materials you have already gone through about breast augmentation procedure, you must consult a qualified breast cosmetic surgeon prior to deciding on going through your operation.

Call us today at Breast Enlargement New York and schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our top cosmetic surgeons.