What Are Important Things to Know if Getting Breast Implants?

There is no question that breast implants can help improve a woman’s body image in cases where the breasts are small or undeveloped, deflated after breast feeding or when used for reconstruction after breast cancer.  Although implants are generally considered safe and most women are very happy with their results they are not considered lifelong devices and may require further surgery down the road.  What are important considerations when choosing to undergo breast implant surgery?

Postsurgical complications

Although rare, any surgery comes with a risk of complications.  After surgery, these complications include infection (which is why you are given antibiotics at the time of surgery) and bleeding (which is why you should not perform any heavy or intense exercise for six weeks after surgery).  It is important for your surgeon to discuss these with you so you know how you can do your part to help prevent these from happening.

Aging of the breast

Having breast augmentation does not freeze your breasts in time (unfortunately!).  Sometimes as the breasts age they can become larger and droopier.   This means you might need repeat surgery for cosmetic reasons, such as lifting the breast back up again. Things that accelerate aging of the breasts include fluctuations in weight (especially gaining weight) or pregnancy.  To get the best results from your surgery it is best to maintain a stable weight.

Long-term complications

Long term issues with breast implants include implant rupture and capsular contracture:

• Implant rupture is when the shell breaks.  With a saline implant this is very obvious as the implant will deflate. With a gummy bear silicone implant a break may be less obvious.  In both cases, however, the implant should be replaced.

• Capsular contracture is when the capsule (layer of scar tissue around the implant) becomes very hard and very tight.  It is still not clear exactly what causes this, but given that it can be uncomfortable and make the breasts look strange it should be treated.  

Patient satisfaction is very high after breast augmentation surgery and while the above possible complications are overall rare, with any surgical procedure it is very important to discuss with your plastic surgeon the pros and cons of surgery to make sure that you pick the procedure that is right for you.