Breast Augmentation

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

The specifics of the Breast Augmentation procedure, as with all procedures vary from individual to individual.

Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation

The best candidates for breast augmentation surgery are:

• Women who are physically healthy and emotionally stable with realistic expectations as to what the surgery can and cannot do
• Women who feel their breast size is too small
• Women who want a balanced pair of breasts

You will be required to sign a consent form before surgery stating that you have been informed of the risks involved; that you understand those risks; and that you accept those risks. This is standard hospital protocol and surgery will not be performed if you do not sign.

It is your obligation to inform your surgeon of key medical information that may influence the outcome of your surgery or may increase the level of risk. These include medications you are taking, history of disease, medical complications, etc.

Risks and risk rates vary from patient to patient depending on a range of factors. No two people are alike. The risks listed below are possible risks associated with this type of surgery and are mentioned regardless of how remote the possibility:

Lack of implant permanence – surgical removal or replacement of the implants may be required to treat problems, including:

• deflation
• the formation of scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture), which may cause the breast to feel tight or hard;
• bleeding or infection.
• Increase or decrease in sensitivity of nipples or breast skin, occasionally permanent.
• Mammography requires a special technique.

What are the risks of Breast Augmentation?

Although extremely rare, it is possible to bleed post-operatively resulting in another surgery to control and drain the collected blood. You could develop a post-operative infection and need to have the implant removed, the infection dealt with and still have to wait for several months before an additional surgery can be performed to re-implant. Loss of sensitivity is common, although temporary. Permanent sensation loss in the areola (nipple) area or breasts, in general, can and may happen. There is also the possibility of developing a Seroma (a mass caused by the accumulation of serum fluid within a tissue or organ) or a Hematoma (a localized mass of blood that is typically confined within an organ, tissue, space, or potential space and may be a result from a broken blood vessel).

There is a risk of Capsular Contracture (the scar tissue encapsulating the implant, hardening around and squeezing the implant). This rarely ever goes away on its own. Nor does it tend to lay dormant after a revision surgery is performed. It may happen due to bacteria on the implant, surgical implements or airborne and the body attempting to place the foreign body as far away from itself as possible. Or it may develop after injury. If this happens, you can develop pains, hardening, deformity and deflation of the implant. It sometimes even happens again after the surgery to remove the scar tissue has been performed.

There is a chance of rippling (wrinkling or indentations from the implant) being apparent, especially when one has no breast tissue and chooses to go over the muscle. It is possible that the implant can shift and push through layers of tissue, showing through the skin.