What Are The Risks and Side Effects Associated With Breast Implants?


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It is virtually impossible to find any type of surgical procedure that does not carry with it any potential risks or complications, and breast implants are no different. Although the procedure itself - when carried out by an accomplished and experienced surgeon - is considered very simple and safe, there can still be some adverse effects. Despite the probability of complications occurring being very small, they are still worth seriously considering. However, you can minimise the chances of this happening by strictly following any aftercare instructions given to you by your surgeon.

Straight After Surgery

In the first few days after your surgery, there are a number of things that you may experience that may cause worry. These are considered to be perfectly normal, however if you are at all concerned then do not hesitate to contact your surgeon or doctor.

The following symptoms are ordinarily experienced in the days after the breast implants have been inserted:

  • Discomfort – this side effect may be eased using painkillers (although you should always check this is ok with your surgeon before doing so).
  • Your breast may be swollen and feel firmer than usual.
  • You may experience occasional pangs of pain.
  • You may notice bruises emerging.
  • You may lose some sensation in your nipple and/or breast – this effect is most often temporary although some people have reported it as being permanent.

Complications You Should Contact Your Surgeon About

The likelihood of a complication appearing succeeding a breast implant procedure is rare, although it can happen so it is vital that you are conscious of any of the following signs:

  • Discharge from the location where the implant was introduced.
  • Sweating during the night.
  • An extreme degree of swelling of one or both sides.
  • Your breasts feeling tender and hot to touch and may appear red.
  • A significant amount of pain

If you observe a substantial, irregularly high extent of swelling, it might indicate that blood is gathering around your breast implant. This is medically dubbed as a 'haematoma' and transpires after approximately 5% of breast implant procedures. If this does occur, you will often require a surgical procedure to drain the blood away. You should note that this remedial surgery should not have an impact on the breast implants.

Some patients notice that a clear, fair yellow-coloured discharge starts to seep from the point of implant insertion. This is often not serious but will probably still need seeing to by your surgeon. This discharge can slow down the rate at which your breasts heal and so you may need to get the fluid drained so that an adequate recovery rate can be re-established. However, discharge can also be an indication that an infection has developed or is in the process of developing. Therefore, you should contact your surgeon as soon as possible so that they can assess the issue and treat it as required.

If you do experience from any of the mentioned symptoms then it is imperative that you contact your surgeon straightaway. The symptom may be a sign of your body rejecting the implant or the occurrence of an infection that requires rapid treatment.

Furthermore, there are two other potential side effects that are among the most common that may occur due to breast implants. These are the formation of a capsule around the implant or the enhancement of asymmetry.

Capsule Formation

Our body is very efficient at protecting us from the harm of foreign objects. Unfortunately, this protective immune response is sometimes unwanted, which is often the case with breast implants. When the implant is inserted into the body, the immune system has an automatic reaction to defend the body from it. This reaction involves a membrane being developed surrounding the breast implant. This is perfectly normal and should not cause problems. However, in 5-6% of breast implant cases, this membrane continues to thicken and a capsule is created. This capsule then contracts and applies a significant amount of pressure onto the implant and the breast become hard.

Capsule contracture (the medical term for this hardening) has become less of an issue recently after breast implant procedures as the design of the implant has improved. Despite this, it is still a side effect that you should be aware of.

Capsule contracture tends to start developing around twelve months after the breast implant surgery. Even though it can begin rather quickly, it can take years for you to become aware of the situation. It is most probably that you will notice the capsule formation due to the sudden onset of pain in addition to the breast feeling a lot firmer than normal.

If you do end up suffering from this adverse effect, it is likely that you will require further surgery. This often involves the affected implant being removed.

Enhancement of Breast Asymmetry

It is perfectly normal for a woman to have asymmetrical breasts. Often this difference in breast shape or size goes unnoticed, however it has been noted that after obtaining breast implants the asymmetry can become more exaggerated and noticeable. This is often because when the body adjusts to the implant (and the implant adjusts to the body), the breast can change in both shape and size in an unpredictable manner.

This issue can only be corrected if you undergo revision breast surgery. This may involve you obtaining a different size or shape of implant to complement your body and the other breast.

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