Complications With Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures performed in the United States. In many cases, patients are allowed to go home the same day, implants in place. However, as simple as this may seem, risks accompany this form of plastic surgery just as with any other plastic surgery. Before undergoing it, you need to understand the risks.

Bleeding

Bleeding beyond the expected amount is one complication of this procedure. It can occur during or after the surgery, and in some cases, you may need to undergo a second surgery to drain the excess blood.
More risks along the same line include the development of a hematoma, seroma or thrombosis. A hematoma is a collection of clotted blood within a particular area of your body, a seroma is plasma (watery blood) collecting around the site of the incision and a thrombosis is a large clot in one of your blood vessels.

Loss of Sensation

Loss of sensation or numbness is generally a temporary condition and occurs on or around your nipples or over the skin near your incision. Smart Breast Augmentation states that the chance of this becoming a permanent complication is approximately 15 percent. The risk of loss of sensation is greater if the incision is near the areola (the darkened area of the nipple) or if the implants are placed above the muscle, which can cause interference with the breast tissue itself.

Capsular Contracture

This is the most common complication of breast augmentation, according to Breastimplants4you. It is the formation and hardening of scar tissue around the implant, which eventually squeezes it, causing it to rupture. This is not only painful, but also requires additional surgery to correct.

Indentations

Also known as rippling, this occurs when the saline contained by the implants begins moving through the breasts. It looks like waves or ripples going across the breast, and is more likely to happen when the surface of the implant is smooth. Smart Breast Augmentation states that it happens most frequently among women whose implants are placed above the breast muscle.

Leaking

Implants are not perfect and may rupture and leak. The saline-filled implants will leak salt water, which is absorbed by the body, while the silicone-filled implants will leak a silicone gel. While either situation can be dangerous to your health, the gel will generally stay near the implant. Should these situations occur, the doctor needs to be told right away, as the implants need to be replaced immediately.