Breast Augmentation Risks
Anyone preparing for breast augmentation in Sacramento should learn about possible risks. Risks common to most procedures can include anesthesia complications, excess bleeding or fluid accumulation and infection. Read about breast surgery risks and note any questions you may have.
While every surgery carries some risk, breast augmentation in Sacramento normally poses minimal risk for patients who are properly selected and prepared. Most patients at Kaufman & Clark Plastic Surgery experience no complications. But take a moment to read through the risks below to familiarize yourself with the possibilities.
We look forward to reviewing all this information and much more with you when we meet. Why not request your consultation now?
Specific Risks of Breast Augmentation
Risks associated with breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammaplasty, include:
Implant leak or rupture
Like other medical devices, breast implants can fail, meaning they can break or leak. When a saline-filled implant deflates, the body will harmlessly absorb the sterile salt water. When a silicone gel implant ruptures, usually the gel stays inside the implant shell, but extrusion is possible. Rupture can occur as a result of an injury, during mammography or through no apparent cause. It's also possible to damage an implant at the time of surgery. Damaged implants cannot be repaired; they require replacement or removal. Breast implants can also simply wear out; they should not be expected to last a lifetime.
Capsular contracture
Scar tissue, which forms internally around the breast implant, can tighten and make the breast round, firm and possibly painful. Excessive firmness of the breast can happen soon after surgery or years later. The incidence of capsular contracture is not predictable, though your odds of experiencing it increase with time. Capsular contracture is thought to be more common with implant placement in front of the chest muscle. Treatment may require surgery, implant replacement or implant removal. Capsular contracture may reoccur after surgical procedures to treat it. Read more on capsular contracture in our articles section.
Skin wrinkling and rippling
Visible and palpable wrinkling of implants can occur, in fact some wrinkling is normal and to be expected. It may be more pronounced in patients who have saline implants with textured surfaces or thin breast tissue. It may even be possible to feel the implant fill valve. Patients most often find wrinkles and valves you can see and/or feel to be unacceptable.
Change in nipple and skin sensation
Some change in nipple sensation is not unusual right after surgery. After several months, the vast majority of patients have normal sensation. It is possible that partial or complete loss of nipple and skin sensation may be permanent, however.
Implant displacement
A breast implant may become displaced from its initial position. This can be accompanied by discomfort and/or distortion in breast shape. Additional surgery may be necessary to correct this problem.
Infection
Infections are unusual after breast augmentation in Sacramento, but they can happen in the immediate post operative period or at any time following the insertion of a breast implant. Certain kinds of infections can be difficult to diagnose, and it's also more difficult to treat an infection near breast implants. If an infection does not respond to antibiotics the breast implant may need to be removed (but an implant can usually be reinserted later). It's rare that an infection would occur around an implant from a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body.
Pain
Pain of varying intensity and duration may occur and persist after breast implant surgery. The cause may be unknown.
Inability to breastfeed
The majority of women are able to breastfeed after surgery but there's no absolute guarantee.
Revision for size
Though it is possible you may not be content with your new size, Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Clark have complete confidence in their methods. In fact, 99% of their patients are happy with their new size after surgery. Read about implant sizing at Kaufman & Clark Plastic Surgery.
Asymmetry
One condition that can occur after augmentation mammaplasty is asymmetry. Most often it is slight - similar to normal asymmetry prior to surgery. But asymmetry can also appear more marked after surgery due to the healing process or a host of other factors. Patients occasionally choose to return to the operating room for revision.
Additional Breast Implant Advisory Information
You'll need to care for your breasts over time with your implants in mind. Here are a few factors to consider when planning breast augmentation in Sacramento:
Breast cancer
Current medical information does not demonstrate an increased risk of breast cancer in women who have breast implant surgery for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes. All women should perform periodic breast self-examinations, have mammography according to American Cancer Society guidelines and seek professional care should they notice a breast lump. Care must be exercised during breast biopsy to avoid damage to the implant.
Mammography
Breast implants may make mammography more challenging and may hamper the detection of breast cancer. Ultrasound, specialized mammography and MRI studies may be of benefit to evaluate breast lumps and the condition of implants. Patients may wish to undergo a preoperative mammogram and another after implantation to establish a baseline view of their breasts.
Long term results
Subsequent alterations in breast shape may occur as the result of aging, weight loss or gain, pregnancy or other circumstances not related to augmentation mammaplasty. Most women experience some measure of sagginess over time.
Choosing Cosmetic Surgery in Sacramento
It may seem that there's a lot to consider before choosing breast augmentation. That's true - but it's also true that the procedure is safer than ever. Read breast augmentation studies and articles we've gathered for you to learn more about the risks and rewards.
We'll be here for you from the moment you walk through our door. Give us a call at (916) 235-8838 and plan a visit to 2220 East Bidwell Street in quiet Folsom.
