All plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures come with risks and potential complications. To ensure successful surgery, it is crucial to understand and minimise these risks. Whilst all measures are taken to mitigate risks, some risks are unavoidable.
All information on this page is general in nature – your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications pertinent to your individual surgical procedure during your consultation. General risks for surgery are listed here.
Specific risks related to breast revision surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Fluid accumulation: After the surgery, there is a possibility of fluid accumulating around the surgical site(s). This condition, known as seroma, may require additional procedures to drain the fluid. To prevent any fluid or blood accumulation, thin tubes called a drains may be temporarily placed under the skin while you’re in hospital.
- Fat necrosis: This is a rare complication that can occur when fatty tissue dies. It can cause hard lumps under the skin, but it is usually not a serious problem.
- Changes in breast and nipple sensation: Breast revision may lead to temporary or permanent changes in breast and nipple sensation. Some individuals may experience increased sensitivity, while others may notice reduced sensation.
- Numbness: Temporary or permanent areas of numbness in the breasts and surrounding areas can occur as a result of nerve damage during the surgery. It is important to discuss this possibility with your surgeon prior to the procedure.
- Breast asymmetry: Breast revision can sometimes result in unevenness or asymmetry of the breasts. This can occur due to variations in healing, tissue response, or implant placement.
- Breastfeeding difficulties: Breast revision may potentially affect breastfeeding, leading to reduced milk supply. It is important to discuss this concern with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure, especially if planning to have children in the future.
In addition to the above, these risks also relate to having new implants inserted:
- Skin wrinkling: In some cases, wrinkling of the skin over the breast implant may occur. This can be more common in individuals with thin skin or those who have chosen larger implants.
- Calcium deposits: In some cases, calcium deposits may develop in the scar capsule around the breast implant. These deposits are usually harmless but may require monitoring or treatment.
- Granulomas: Granulomas are lumps that can form in the local lymph node tissue due to leaking silicone. Although rare, they can occur and may require medical attention.
- Capsular contracture: Capsular contracture is a complication where scar tissue forms around the implant, causing it to become firm and lose its shape and softness. This can result in discomfort and may require additional surgery to correct.
- Implant-related issues: There are various implant-related risks, including inappropriate implant size, implant rupture, and deflation. These issues may necessitate revision surgery to replace or remove the implant.
- Breast cancer screening challenges: Breast implants may interfere with the effectiveness of mammograms in detecting breast tissue abnormalities, including tumors. It is crucial to inform healthcare providers about the presence of implants to ensure proper screening techniques are used.
- Implant movement: In some cases, breast implants may shift from their original position over time. This can result in asymmetry or discomfort and may require corrective surgery.
- Additional surgeries: In the event of complications or unsatisfactory outcomes, further surgeries may be necessary to address any issues. Breast implants are not lifetime devices and may need to be replaced after approximately 10 to 15 years.
In recent times, there have been claims made regarding a possible link between implants and the development of connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and other autoimmune conditions. While certain studies have shown a slight increase in risk, numerous medical investigations have not established a conclusive connection between implants and these specific health conditions. It is important to acknowledge that a certain percentage of women in the general population may develop these diseases irrespective of having implants. Therefore, while there is a possibility of developing connective tissue and autoimmune diseases, it should be regarded as a remote likelihood.
In very rare instances, there have been cases of Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). For further information on this, please click here.
Occasionally, women with implants have reported experiencing general symptoms such as joint pain, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, persistent fatigue, increased susceptibility to common illnesses, hair loss, skin rashes, headaches, memory problems, nausea, muscle weakness, irritable bowel syndrome, and intermittent fever. Although there have been suggestions of a correlation between these symptoms and autoimmune disorders, it has not been definitively proven.
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