Complications with Breast Implants
‘Complication’ is a dreaded word in medical parlance for any layperson, simply because this polite word not only includes minor problems, but also those that go horribly wrong. And complications of breast surgery have especially frightening connotation for breast augmentation surgery, since it can not only affect your physical appearance, but, because of it, can make you a mental wreck too!
Breast Implant Complications
Complications are possible in any surgical procedure, like those due to the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding and pain. Breast augmentation complication has all these and more. So, let’s see what these complications are:
a. Breast feeding complications: If the breast implant is inserted through the areolar region of the nipple, it can cause breast feeding problems for the mother. A study reported that up to sixty-four percent women with breast implants were unable to breast feed compared to seven percent without breast implants.
b. Pain: Improper size of implant, its placement, surgical technique employed or capsular contracture can result in pain. This may be due to nerve entrapment or interference with muscle motion. The pain can vary in intensity.
c. Delayed wound healing: The incision site can take longer to heal and may result in pain and infection leading to breast problems.
d. Changes in nipple and breast sensation: An increased or decreased feeling in the nipple and breast can follow breast implant surgery. It can range from intense sensitivity to no feeling in the nipple or breast. This may be temporary or permanent.
e. Extrusion: The breast implant can come out through the skin, if the tissue covering is unstable or compromised leading to complications.
f. Deflation or rupture: The implant leak can lead to deflation. This may be due to damage by surgical instruments during surgery, overfilling or under-filling of the breast implant with saline solution, capsular contracture, stresses such as trauma or intense physical manipulation, excessive compression during mammographic imaging, age-related wear and tear and even reasons that are not quite apparent!
g. Calcium deposits: These deposits in the tissue around the breast implant can be mistaken for cancer, as viewed on mammograms. This may result in additional surgery for biopsy and removal of the implant for confirmation.
h. Infection: Infection generally appear within a few days to weeks after the operation. The bad news is it’s harder to treat with a breast implant present. A life-threatening Toxic Shock Syndrome with characteristic symptoms of sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and sunburn-like rashes can set in some women undergoing breast surgery.
i. Hematoma and/or Seroma: Collection of blood inside the body cavity is called hematoma and that of fluid around the breast implant or around the incision is called seroma. The two can contribute to infection and capsular contracture. Swelling, pain, and bruising may also result.
j. Capsular contracture: In this the scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around the breast implant may tighten and squeeze the breast implant. It’s more common following an infection, hematoma and seroma. It may also be due to subglandular placement of the implant.
k. Necrosis: The formation of dead tissue around the breast implant is called necrosis. It may prevent wound healing and cause permanent scar deformity. Infection, use of steroids, smoking, chemotherapy, radiation and excessive hot or cold therapy can be the reasons.
l. Breast tissue atrophy or chest wall deformity: With the continued pressure of the implant, the breast tissue may become thin and shrink, leading to tissue atrophy.
m. Connective tissue disease: Cases of connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis, have been reported by a small number of women with implants. However, it’s too early to say, if it’s because of the implants.
n. Cancer: Thankfully, this complication of breast cancer is not due to breast implant problems. Studies indicate there’s nothing to prove, if breast cancer is more common in women with breast implants than those without them.
Complications are a reality you must be prepared to face, if you’ve decided to undergo breast augmentation or reduction. However, a good plastic surgeon and post-operative care can steer you away from them, making this surgery worth it!
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