Breast Augmentation Side Effects and Risks

As with any surgery, breast augmentation comes with many risks and side effects. Even in healthy patients there are possible complications, so anyone considering breast augmentation surgery should make themselves aware of the risks involved.

Capsular Contracture

After breast augmentation surgery, some women experience a side effect called capsular contracture which is characterized by the growth of a scar around the implant resulting in pain, firmness, and an unnatural look. Capsular contracture is thought to be more common in silicone implants than saline implants and often requires additional surgery to correct the problem. 

Displacement

Any time after undergoing breast augmentation surgery, the implant can move out of its original position. Sometimes the movement is very unsubstantial and goes unnoticed, but if the implant moves a lot, surgery may be necessary to fix it. This problem is not common with breast augmentation surgery, but it is still a risk.

Deflation

In some cases, saline implants can develop leaks and deflation can occur, reducing the breast back to its preoperative size. The risk of developing a leak is about 4% during the first year after surgery and about 1% after that, but at any point during which an implant deflates surgery will be needed to replace the implant.

Infection

In addition to side effects and risks which correlate mainly to the appearance of breast implants, undergoing breast augmentation surgery is not without risks to the patient’s health. Infection occurs in about 1% of breast implant cases and can usually be remedied by removing the affected implant and taking antibiotics. The implant can be replaced after 6 months.

Numbness

No plastic surgeon can guarantee that a patient receiving breast implant surgery will be able to retain all nipple sensation postoperatively. The risk of having permanent nipple numbness as a result of breast augmentation surgery is about 15%.

Interference with Mammograms

Undergoing regular health screenings is important for every woman, but a woman with breast implants might not receive mammogram results that are as accurate as a woman with natural breasts. The placement of a breast implant, whether under or over the muscle, can affect the mammogram’s ability to accurately capture all of the breast tissue. Fortunately, breast implants do not diminish the efficiency of self breast exams.

When planning to undergo any type of plastic surgery, it is crucial to weigh the risks and benefits. Especially with plastic surgery, it is important to consider the side effects that not only affect a patient’s appearance, but also those which might threaten his or her health.