Breast Augmentation Risks

With any surgical procedure, there is always a chance that something may go wrong. In addition to complications that can occur with any surgery, such as scarring, infection, changes in sensation, or severe bruising , breast augmentation risks include certain breast implant problems that are unique to the procedure. There are specific risks of having saline and silicone breast implants surgically placed that should be considered before deciding whether or to undergo the procedure. For information about capsular contracture or other problems associated with the surgery or healing process, visit our breast augmentation complications page.

Potential Breast Implant Problems

While breast implants are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural breast tissue, their structure lends itself to certain complications that are not an issue with other types of cosmetic and medical implants. Such breast implant problems include rippling (wrinkling or folding of the implant shell), rupture (tearing of the implant shell), and mammography interference. Furthermore, breast implants do not last a lifetime. It is likely that a woman with breast implants will need at least one additional surgery, if not more, to replace a ruptured or unsatisfactory implant during her life.

Risks of Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

Certain breast implant risks are associated more closely with either saline or silicone implants. It is important to weigh these risks when determining which type of implant to choose:

Risks of Silicone Breast Implants

After 14 years of scrutiny and debate, silicone breast implants have now been approved by the FDA. They are an available option for all women 22 years or older who are considering breast augmentation. Although they have been deemed reasonably safe and effective by the FDA, they still carry risks, and they are not for everyone.

Although scientific studies have disproved the once feared connection between silicone breast implants and cancer or autoimmune diseases, there is still some reason to be concerned about rupture of silicone implants. The fact is, they can break, and if they do, the patient may not even know it. Unlike saline implants, which rapidly deflate when ruptured, silicone implants can leak very slowly, without any signs or symptoms that anything has happened. The only way to detect a rupture in a silicone breast implant is through regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screenings.

One of the risks of silicone and saline breast implants is that they can interfere with mammography screenings. The breast implant creates an obstruction through which the x-rays cannot pass. The implants are also subject to breakage by the firm pressure applied to the breasts during the screening. This is a more serious issue with silicone implants than with saline, as silicone can leak unnoticed and is not a substance found naturally in the body. Although it is important to have regular mammograms to detect early signs of cancer, it is also important to mention that you have breast implants, both when you make your appointment and when you meet the technician. This will allow the technician to use special techniques to avoid interference and minimize the chances of rupture.

Risks of Saline Breast Implants

Despite the fact that saline breast implants have remained on the market while silicone ones were removed, there are still breast implant problems associated with them. Saline implants have a higher likelihood of rippling, which causes palpable and sometimes even visible “waves” along the sides of the breast. This is caused by the wrinkling or folding of the silicone shell of the implant. Repairing the problem requires additional surgery.

Saline breast implants are also subject to rupture. Although the saline solution in the implant is not harmful to the body and is easily absorbed, the rapid deflation of a broken saline implant will cause one breast to look smaller, flatter, and droopier than the other until additional surgery can be done to replace the implant. If the implant is a large one, the difference will be significant.

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.