Breast Augmentation is a procedure that is performed by adding saline or silicone implants (or implants that contain other types of gel) to a patient's chest to enhance the size of her breasts. The Breast Augmentation procedure may have a few possible side effects, which may be experienced immediately after the surgery or in the long run.
Surgery Side Effects
The Breast Augmentation procedure involves surgery. Just like all surgeries, the Breast Augmentation will have side effects. The patient will feel pain and will be sore for a few weeks after the surgery, until the surgery wounds heal. There will be swelling and bruising post surgery.
Bacterial infections may also occur, but may be prevented if antibiotics are administered.
Temporary or Permanent Numbness
After the Breast Augmentation procedure, the patient may experience temporary numbness or lack of sensation in the nipples or certain areas of the breasts. This is due to the fact that during the surgery certain nerves are affected.
The numbness and lack of sensation may persist for more than a few 3 weeks and the lack of feeling can be permanent. This problem is irreversible.
Stretch Marks and Itchiness
The implants will cause the skin to stretch and this may result in stretch marks. In addition, the stretching of the skin will cause temporary itchiness. A special lotion should be used to prevent the occurrence of stretch marks and to relieve itchiness. The lotion shouldn’t be applied on the incision site, at least while the wounds aren’t completely healed.
Scarring
After the Breast Augmentation surgery, scarring is inevitable, as the implants require incisions. However, the size of the incisions may be reduced and an experienced plastic surgeon will be able to leave only minimal scars. Also, the position of the incisions may be chosen in such a manner that they will be less visible (i.e. under the breasts or in the armpit area).
Constipation
Due to the fact that the patient will require a lot of pain medication after the surgery, this may cause constipation.
Breastfeeding Problems
It is likely that after Breast Augmentation, the patient won’t be able to breastfeed, as the milk glands may be affected by the surgery and the implants.
Breast Cancer Detection
Even if there are no facts to prove that breast implants can cause breast cancer, they will make the detection of breast cancer more problematic. This is due to the fact that a mammography may not show accurate results, as the implants are not transparent when the screening is performed. The breast implants may hinder the early detection of breast cancer.
Rupture and Leakage
Breast implants, regardless if they are saline or silicone, may leak when ruptured. These solutions may spread into the breast tissues and this can lead to complications. Silicone or gel implants are less likely to leak.
To avoid ruptures, the patient should avoid applying direct pressure on the breast implants and sleep on her back.
