It is essential to know the risks of breast implants if you are considering them. Read on to learn more about what to look for in a good surgeon and the possible risks to be aware of.
Thousands of women get breast implants every year. If you are considering getting breast implants it is important to do your homework first so that you know what to expect and the possible risks.
Find a Good Surgeon
The first step is to find a good surgeon. They will be able to review your medical history and answer any of your questions. Make sure to find out how much experience they have doing breast implant surgery and what they expect from you as a patient. They should discuss the best shape, size, surface texture, placement, and incision site with you. Review with them your previous surgical history and how your experiences were. A good surgeon will take the time to answer your questions and make sure you are comfortable proceeding with surgery.
Risk of Breast Implants
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of breast implants, saline-filled and silicone gel-filled for increasing breast size, reconstruction after breast cancer, correcting a previous surgery, and correcting developmental defects. Even though breast implants have been approved by the FDA there are still risks such as:
- Infection
- Need for additional surgeries
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system)
- Breast implant illness
- Capsular contracture
- Breast pain
- Rupture of the implant
Know That Breast Implants Are Not for Life
Breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. The amount of time your breast implants will last will depend on several factors that should be discussed with your surgeon before surgery. The longer you have breast implants, the greater the risk of complications developing.
Keep An Eye on Your Breasts
After having breast implant surgery, it is essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions and report any changes immediately. This applies to your recovery time and onward. If you notice any changes in your breasts, see your surgeon as soon as possible. Talk with your surgeon and primary healthcare provider about possibly getting screened regularly to detect any possible issues with your implants that may not cause symptoms.
Resources
- FDA. (n.d.). What to know about breast implants. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved October 5, 2022