Breast Implant Risks

It is critical for any individual considering cosmetic surgery to understand the risks prior to commencing treatment. When meeting with your plastic surgeon for a consultation, he or she will inform you of any potential complications of which you should be aware. Additionally, ask any questions you may have so you can make an educated decision whether breast surgery is right for you. Your doctor will want to know about your medical history, including any existing conditions, in order to decide on the right course of action to suit your needs.

There are two types of breast implants available, silicone and saline. While both are considered safe, each one presents unique risks that you should know about before deciding which to move forward with. To avoid serious problems, you should be well aware of the risks, make sure you only go to a board-certified surgeon with experience performing breast augmentation surgery, and have an open and honest dialogue with your surgeon before moving forward with the procedure. We invite you to continue reading about the risks of breast augmentation surgery, and then search for a qualified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation.

Silicone Breast Implant Risks

Silicone breast implants were at one time widely debated and criticized for being unsafe. However, today, silicone implants are FDA approved and are considered a good, safe option for enhancing the breasts for women over 22 years of age. It is important to know that although silicone implants are FDA approved, there is still some risk associated with them that you should know about.

One of the main concerns with silicone implants is the risk of rupture. A patient could experience a ruptured implant and not even be aware for some time, as leakage occurs very slowly and there are no evident symptoms. Patients must undergo routine MRI screenings to identify if a rupture has taken place. It is also advised that patients avoid applying any major pressure to the implants to help prevent rupturing.

Silicone implants, as well as saline breast implants, have the potential to obstruct mammography screenings, as x-rays cannot capture images through the implants. Additionally, during a mammography screening, the firm pressure can cause an implant to rupture. Mammograms are critical to detecting early signs of cancer, however, you should tell the technician about your implants before and during appointment.

Saline Breast Implant Risk

As with silicone breast implants, there is some risk of rupturing with saline implants also. However, patients are more likely to notice the implant rupturing right away, as the breast will appear to be smaller, drooping, or flat. The saline substance is not considered harmful to the body and can be absorbed into the body easily.

Patients with silicone implants may also experience "rippling", which is caused when the implant wrinkles or folds. The breast may appear to have waves along the side when this problem occurs. The only way to correct the issue is to undergo another surgical procedure.

Contact a Plastic Surgeon in Your Area

If you would like more information about the possible risks of saline and silicone breast implants and common breast implant problems, a qualified breast augmentation surgeon in your area can help you weigh the breast augmentation risks and benefits as well as address your specific risk levels based on the circumstances surrounding your unique case.