Possible Complications from Breast Surgery

General complications possible in any surgery

As a first possible complication even before surgery, an allergic reaction to the anesthetic is always a possibility. General anesthesia is considered to be more risky than local anesthesia. However, any anesthetic can bring on a negative reaction. Although extremely rare, post-operative bleeding is a possibility, resulting in another surgery being needed  to control and drain the collected blood. Other possible complicatins are hematoma (a collection of clotted blood), seroma (a collection of the watery portion of the blood) and thrombosis (abnormal clotting). All of these are possible complications arising from any form of surgery. Obviously, in serious medical conditions, where surgery is unavoidable, we have to accept these risks and go ahead with the procedure. However, whether such risks are justified for a purely superficial cosmetic procedure, like breast augmentation, is highly debatable.

Complication specific to breast augmentation surgery
 

Loss of sensation is common, although mostly temporary. Permanent sensation loss in the areola (nipple) area, or the breasts in general, can and does occur, although rarely.  There is also a risk of excessive scarring or inner scar tissue. Also, you must have more views (films) taken when having a mammogram if you have breast implants -- especially overs.

There is a risk of calcifications -- especially when there is a definite, thick capsule around the implant. And galactorrhea, which is a milky discharge from the nipple not associated with the normal milk production of breast-feeding, is also a possible complication. This is usually remedied on its own and may stop spontaneously, although some cases may need medication or implant removal. Although very rare, it is worth mentioning, since full awareness is the key to an informed consent.

Breast tissue atrophy (loss, shrinking) is a possibility. According to the FDA, "the pressure of the breast implant may cause the breast tissue to thin and shrink. This can occur while implants are still in place or following implant removal without replacement".

Necrosis (death) of the breast tissue, breast envelope and or incision line can happen, these are extremely rare. The chances of necrosis are increased after radioactive/chemotherapy treatment, or if you smoke and have poor circulation, or have temperatetherapy or cryotherapy post-operatively.

Extrusion is also an extremely rare occurrence but a scary possibility. Extrusion of the implant is where your body rejects the prosthesis and pushes it out of the skin, like when a piercing is pushed out or like when a thorn or splinter is pushed from the body. Then the implant may become visible under the skin and must be removed before it breaks through, resulting in possibly an infection and definite major scarring.

Infection: Post-operative infections can develop, requiring the implant to be removed. Even after such an infection is dealt with, the patient may have to wait for several months before an additional surgery can be performed to re-insert the implant. Infections usually occur with the first 4 to 6 weeks. Some possible infections and a more common one being Staphylococcus, or simply Staph.
 

Alternative Breast Enlargement Methods

With all these possible complications associated with breast augmentation surgery, these days many better-informed women prefer to opt for non-surgical, natural breast enhancement. Natural breast enlargement techniques have developed enormously in recent years and are now proven to be highly effective, safe and free of all side-effects.