Cons of breast augmentation
While enhancing your breasts with breast augmentation surgery has many benefits, it certainly has its cons. We've compiled a few of these cons for your review. Food for thought before making your final decision.
Overall body dissatisfaction
Some women, after receiving breast augmentation surgery, realize that it wasn't simply the size of their breasts that made them unhappy. After the surgery they realize that they are unhappy with the size of their stomachs, or legs, or another body part. It's important to remember that breast augmentation surgery will never make you perfect — and that no one is perfect. Breast augmentation surgery can make your breasts beautiful. If you are happy and radiate beauty from within, chances are you'll be happier with your breast implants.
Risks of surgery
As with any surgery, breast augmentation carries surgical risks. Click on a complication to read more about it.
Scars- Hypertrophic Scars: Thin red scars that become raised and firm. These usually fade, but sometimes become permanent.
- Keloid Scars: A scar that becomes enlarged, does not fade with time and may have to be removed surgically.
Incidence of scarring is between 2% and 6% after 3 years.
Capsular ContractionThis occurs when scar tissue forms around the implant and tightens. This causes the implant to change from a teardrop to a spherical shape. Further surgery is required to correct it by 'scoring' the scar tissue; this is usually successful although implant removal is sometimes necessary. It is difficult to predict which patients might suffer from this problem although it is more common with subglandular insertion. Incidence is usually quoted at 9% over 3 years depending on implant type and procedure.
InfectionInfection can occur at the incision site, around the implant or, very rarely, inside the implant. If infection occurs it is sometimes necessary to remove the implant until the infection has been clear for several months, and then a new implant is inserted. Risk is between 2% and less than 1% over 3 years.
Change in Nipple SensationThis is generally caused by stretching of the skin by the implant, and not the incision site. Temporary changes are fairly common and usually resolve after six months. 70% experience no change. Sometimes it is permanent, with 20% experiencing diminished sensitivity/numbness, and 10% found sensation was enhanced. This may affect breast feeding or sexual arousal.
Implant Deflation, Leakage or RuptureOccasionally the implant leaks via the valve or a rupture in the silicon elastomer. Saline is absorbed by the body and excreted via urination. Figures vary around 5% over ten years.
Tissue NecrosisTissue around the implant can die; this may cause infection and will delay healing. There might be a need to remove the tissue, or even the implant. This is more likely in smokers and patients taking steroids. Tissue necrosis is very rare.
Implant ExtrusionThe device can break through if the skin covering the implant is very thin. Surgery will be required to remove the implant and repair the area. This can result in tissue loss and scarring.
Skin Wrinkling and RipplingSometimes the implant pulls on overlying tissues causing wrinkling or rippling. Occasionally the natural folds of the implant can be seen through the skin. The incidence of this happening is 11% to 21%.
Removal/RevisionBreast implants, like any other implant such as a hip replacement, are not permanent and will need replacing or complete removal at some stage. This will incur further surgical costs. Between 20% and 30% of breast augmentations will require re-operation within five years.
CalcificationCalcium deposits may form in the scar tissue, causing pain and hardness. These deposits sometimes interfere with mammography and need to be investigated. Investigation may damage the implant. Incidence of calcification is 1% over 3 years.
Chest Wall DeformityThis has been reported rarely following removal of implants or use of tissue expanders. It is of unknown significance.
Malposition The implants can be misaligned, rotate, or slide. This can cause distortion, asymmetry, and/or discomfort and may require additional surgery to correct. The occurrence of asymmetry is between 7% and 10%.
PtosisPtosis or 'drooping' occurs when the natural breast tissue begins to sag whereas the implant does not. This happens over time and causes a double bulge similar in appearance to the effect of wearing a bra that is too small. Sometimes known as a 'snoopy' breast because of the shape in profile. Further surgery will be required to correct this. Incidence of ptosis is around 2% over 3 years.
Connective Tissue and Autoimmune DisordersThere are anecdotal reports of silicone implants causing complaints such as arthritis and Lupus. At the time of writing there is no clinical evidence supporting this.
Breast Cancer DiagnosisMammography and lump detection can prove more difficult to perform on patients with breast implants than those without. No evidence has been found for implants causing cancer.
Seroma and HematomaSerum or blood can collect aroud the implant and potentially cause capsular contracture, infection or other problems. Seratoma can occur following surgery, after vigorous exercise or trauma. One or both breasts will appear to increase in size. It this happens it should be investigated and may result in further surgery. The cost of this corrective surgery may be more than that for the original augmentation. Hematoma occurs in about 2% of cases over 3 years.
AnesthesiaThere are risks associated with any anesthetic procedure; for example an allergy to the drugs used to induce general anesthesia.
Sources:- Learn about Procedures, Quick Facts (2002) American Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/2002statistics.cfm - Saline Filled Breast Implant Surgery: Making an informed decision (January 2004 Update) Mentor Corporation
http://www.mentorcorp.com/pdf/FinalInformedConsent.pdf - Making an Informed Decision: Saline-filled breast implant surgery (2002 Update) Inamed Aesthetics
http://www.inamed.com/pdf/us_aesthetics/M713D_Informed_Decision.pdf - Surgical Procedure: Breast augmentation (2002) Plast Surgery, Your Practice Online and Sydney Institute of Plastic Surgery
http://www.plastsurgery.com/5
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