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WHAT
ARE THE RISKS?
The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar
or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing
of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular
contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires
either removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue, or perhaps
removal or replacement of the implant.
As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the
operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding
continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding
and remove the accumulated blood.
A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant.
This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week
after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed
for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can
then be inserted.
Some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive,
or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near
your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but
may be permanent in some patients.
There is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility,
pregnancy, or your ability to nurse. If, however, you have nursed
a baby within the year before augmentation, you may produce milk
for a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but
can be treated with medication prescribed by
Dr. Vincent.
Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur
as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement
of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak.
If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a
few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the
body.
If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one of two
things may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around
the implant does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar
also breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone
gel may move into surrounding tissue. The gel may collect in the
breast and cause a new scar to form around it, or it may migrate
to another area of the body. There may be a change in the shape
or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a second
operation and replacement of the leaking implant. In some cases,
it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the
breast tissue if a rupture should occur.
Complications (as with any other surgical procedure) can happen
in breast augmentation surgery. We recommend you read the specific
complications outlined in the Food and Drug Administration pamphlet.
To obtain this free pamphlet, contact the FDA Consumer Information
Line at 1.888.INFO.FDA (1 888.463.6332.) The Food and Drug Administration
Web site can be found at
www.fda.gov.
A copy of this form will also be provided during your consultation.
More information on the safety of silicone breast implants can
be found at
www.nap.edu/catalog/9618.html
These surgical procedures will be performed on an
out-patient basis,
in the hospital, or in an ambulatory surgery center under general
anesthesia.
Visit our
plastic /
cosmetic surgery
office
located in
Ogden,
Utah
(UT). We are conveniently near the
Salt
Lake City, UT area. |
