Breast implant complications after surgery

Breast implant complications after surgery

Risks of Breast Implants Some of the  complications and adverse  outcomes of breast implants include:     Additional  surgeries, with or... 12:28:00

Risks of Breast Implants

Some of the  complications and adverse  outcomes of breast implants include:

1.     Additional  surgeries, with or without removal of the device
2.     Capsular  contraction, scar tissue that forms around the implant and squeezes the implant
3.     Breast  pain
4.     Changes  in nipple and breast sensation
5.     Rupture  with deflation of saline-filled  implants
6.     Rupture  with or without symptoms (silent rupture) of  silicone gel-filled implants.

Implant Complications

The following is a list of local complications and adverse outcomes that occur in at least 1 percent of breast implant patients at any time. You may need non-surgical treatments or additional surgeries to treat any of these, and you should discuss any complication and necessary treatment with your doctor. These complications are listed alphabetically, not in order of how often they occur.

1. Asymmetry -   The breasts are uneven in  appearance in terms of size, shape or breast level.
2. Breast Pain - Pain in the nipple or  breast area
3. Breast Tissue Atrophy - Thinning and  shrinking of the skin
4. Calcification/Calcium Deposits  -  Hard  lumps under the skin around the implant.  These can be mistaken for cancer during mammography, resulting in additional surgery.
5. Capsular Contracture  -  Tightening of the tissue capsule around an implant, resulting in firmness or hardening of the breast and squeezing of the implant if severe. 
6. Chest Wall Deformity  -  Chest wall or underlying rib cage appears deformed. 
7. Deflation  -  Leakage of the saltwater (saline) solution from a saline-filled breast implant, often due to a valve leak or a tear or cut in the implant shell (rupture), with partial or complete collapse of the implant.
8. Delayed Wound Healing  -  Incision site fails to heal normally or takes longer to heal.
9. Extrusion  -  The skin breaks down and the implant appears through the skin.
10. Hematoma  -  Collection of blood near the surgical site.   May cause swelling, bruising and pain.  Hematomas usually occur soon after surgery, but can occur any time there is injury to the breast.  The body may absorb small hematomas, but large ones may require medical intervention, such as surgical draining. 
11. Iatrogenic Injury/Damage  -   Injury or damage to tissue or implant as a result of implant surgery        
12. Infection, including Toxic Shock Syndrome  -  Occurs when wounds are contaminated with microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi.  Most infections resulting from surgery appear within a few days to a week, but infection is possible any time after surgery.  If an infection does not respond to antibiotics, the implant  may need to be removed
13. Inflammation/Irritation  -  Response by the body to an  infection or injury.  Demonstrated by redness, swelling, warmth, pain and or/loss of function.
14. Lymphedema or Lymphadenopathy -   Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes
15. Malposition/Displacement  -  The implant is not in the correct position in the breast.  This can happen during surgery or afterwards if the  implant moves or shifts from its original location.  Shifting can be caused by factors such as gravity, trauma or capsular contracture.
16. Necrosis  -  Dead skin or tissue around the breast.  Necrosis can be caused by infection, use of steroids in the surgical breast pocket, smoking,  chemotherapy/radiation, and excessive heat or cold therapy.
17. Nipple/Breast Sensation Changes  -  An  increase or decrease in the feeling in the nipple and/or breast.  Can vary in degree and may be temporary or permanent.  May affect sexual response or breast feeding.
18. Palpability  -  The implant can be felt through the skin.
19. Ptosis  -  Breast sagging that is  usually the result of normal aging, pregnancy or weight loss.
20. Redness/Bruising  -  Bleeding at  the time of surgery can cause the skin to change color. This is an expected symptom due to surgery, and is likely temporary.
21. Rupture  -  A tear or hole in the  implant’s outer shell. 
22. Seroma  -  Collection of fluid around the implant.  May cause swelling, pain and bruising.  The body may absorb small seromas.  Large ones will require a surgical drain.
23. Skin Rash  -   A rash on or around the  breast.
24. Unsatisfactory Style/Size -   Patient or  doctor is not satisfied with the overall look based on the style or size of the implant used.
25. Visibility  -  The implant can be seen  through the skin.
26. Wrinkling/Rippling  -  Wrinkling of the implant that can be felt or seen through the skin.

A complete list of complications, as well as information on rates for those complications can be found in the patient labeling for the approved breast implants, Labeling for Approved Breast Implants.