Factors to consider when deciding to enlarge your breasts
- Regardless of the type of surgery we are talking about (cosmetic or reconstructive), it should be remembered that this operation is not the last. After some time, further surgery will be required. Additionally, you will need to see your doctor regularly throughout your life.
- Contrary to popular belief, breast implants have an expiration date, so they are not permanently installed. After some time, the prosthesis will have to be removed or replaced with a new one.
- Many changes that will occur to the breast after the implant is installed will be irreversible. If you later decide to abandon arthroplasty, you will be left with depressions, folds, wrinkles and other cosmetic defects.
Decrease in the effectiveness of mammography examinations
Endoprosthesis reduces the effectiveness of breast cancer diagnostics. It is necessary to inform the examining physician of the presence of the prosthesis so that he uses special techniques to minimize the risk of rupture of the shell of the prosthesis. Additionally, an additional scan may be required in several projections, which increases the radiation dose a woman receives. However, early detection of breast cancer justifies the associated risks.
It is recommended to undergo a mammogram on the eve of the operation and then 6-12 months after the implant is installed. The images obtained will allow to further monitor the changes occurring in the mammary glands.
Self-examination of the mammary glands
After installing the implant, it is necessary to conduct an independent examination of the mammary glands monthly. Ask your doctor to explain how to distinguish between a prosthesis and breast tissue. If any suspicious lumps or changes are found, a biopsy should be done. When doing this, be careful not to damage the implant.
Closed capsulotomy
Closed capsulotomy, which involves compression of the fibrous tissue formed around the implant due to rupture of the capsule, is not recommended, as it can damage the prosthesis itself.
Complications associated with implantation
There is a risk of complications with any type of surgery, such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, and pain. Along with this, further complications are possible during implantation.
Collapse / rupture of the prosthesis
If the integrity of the shell is violated, the prosthesis may collapse. It can be instantaneous or gradual. Outwardly, it looks like a change in the size or shape of the breast. The collapse of the prosthesis can occur both in the first months after the operation, and after several years. The reason may be damage to the prosthesis by surgical instruments during the operation, capsular contracture, closed capsulotomy, external pressure (for example, with trauma or intense compression of the chest, excessive compression during mammography), with an umbilical incision , as well as for unknown / unexplained reasons.
It should be remembered that the prosthesis wears out over time, which can lead to its rupture / collapse. Further surgery is required to remove the dormant prosthesis and install a new one.
capsular contracture
Scar tissue or the capsule that forms around the implant and compresses it is called a capsular contracture. In most cases, the onset of capsular contracture is preceded by infection, hematoma, and seroma. Capsular contracture is most often seen when the prosthesis is placed under the pancreas. Typical symptoms are breast thickening and discomfort, pain, change in the shape of the breast, protrusion and / or displacement of the implant.
In case of excessive compaction and / or severe pain, surgery is required to remove the capsular tissue or the implant itself and eventually replace it with a new one. However, this does not eliminate the risk of capsular contracture recurrence.
Ache
After implantation of a breast implant, pain sensations of varying intensity and duration are possible. This pain occurs due to pinched nerves or difficult muscle contraction, which can be caused by improperly sized implants, incorrect placement, surgical errors, and capsular contracture. If severe pain occurs, notify the attending physician.
Additional surgical intervention
After some time, it may be necessary to perform surgery to replace or remove the prosthesis. In addition, surgery may be required to remove the prosthesis in case of collapse of the prosthesis, capsular contracture, infection, displacement of the prosthesis and the appearance of calcium deposits. Most women, after removing the old prosthesis, install a new one. Women who decide to abandon the implantation of a new prosthesis should be prepared for the fact that they will develop depressions and / or folds and other cosmetic defects.
Dissatisfaction with the cosmetic effect
The cosmetic effect of the operation may not always satisfy the patient. Possible wrinkles, asymmetry, implant displacement, incorrect size, unwanted shape, palpability of the implant, rough seam (irregular, raised shape) and / or too large or loose.
The likelihood of these defects can be reduced by carefully planning the operation and choosing the right technique. However, even in this case, this possibility cannot be completely ruled out.
Infection
Any surgery is associated with the risk of infection. In most cases, the infection develops within a few days or weeks after surgery. If the infection cannot be controlled with antibiotics and the presence of an implant makes treatment difficult, the prosthesis may need to be removed. The installation of a new system is only possible after recovery.
In rare cases, toxic shock syndrome develops after a breast implant is implanted, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms include a sudden rise in body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness and / or a rash. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
Hematoma / seroma
A hematoma is an accumulation of blood (in this case, around an implant or an incision) and a seroma is an accumulation of serous fluid, which is the watery component of the blood. Postoperative hematoma and seroma may contribute to infection and / or capsular contracture and be accompanied by swelling, pain, and bruising. The formation of a hematoma is most likely in the postoperative period. However, it can appear at any other time with a bruised chest. As a rule, small hematomas and seromas resolve on their own. Large bruises or seromas may require drainage. In some cases, a small scar remains after the drainage tube is removed. When inserting a drain, it is important not to damage the implant, which can lead to collapse / rupture of the prosthesis.
Changes in sensation in the nipple and breast area
After implantation of the prosthesis, the sensitivity in the nipple and breast area may change. The changes vary widely: from significant sensitivity to the absence of sensation. These changes can be temporary and irreversible, affecting sexual sensitivity or the ability to breastfeed.
Feeding time
Up to now it has not been possible to obtain data confirming the diffusion of small amounts of silicone from the shell of the prosthesis into the surrounding tissue and their entry into breast milk. Also, it is not known what effect silicone can have on a baby when ingested with breast milk. There are currently no methods to quantify the amount of silicone in breast milk. However, a study comparing the level of silicone in breast milk of women with and without implants suggests that women with saline-filled implants and women with gel implants have similar rates.
Regarding the ability to breastfeed, according to the survey, the percentage of women who cannot breastfeed among women with implants was 64% compared to 7% among women without implants. When the prosthesis is implanted through the areola incision, the ability to breastfeed is significantly reduced.
Calcium deposits in the tissue surrounding the implant
On mammography, calcium deposits can be mistaken for malignant tumors. In order to differentiate them from cancerous growths, biopsy and / or surgical removal of the implant may be required in some cases.
Delayed wound healing
In some cases, the incision can take a long time to heal.
Rejection of the prosthesis
Insufficient thickness of the skin flap covering the prosthesis and / or prolonged wound healing can lead to rejection of the prosthesis and will be seen clearly through the skin.
Necrosis
Necrosis, or tissue death around the prosthesis, can permanently deform scar tissue and prevent wound healing. In such cases it is necessary to resort to surgical correction and / or removal of the prosthesis. Often, necrosis is preceded by infection, use of steroids to clean the surgical pocket, smoking, chemotherapy / radiotherapy, and intense heat and cold therapy.
Breast tissue atrophy / chest wall deformity
The pressure exerted by the implant on the breast tissue can thin and wrinkle. This can happen both with an implanted prosthesis and after its removal without replacement.
Other complications
Diseases of the connective tissue
Concerns about the relationship between breast implant placement and the onset of autoimmune or connective tissue diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis have emerged after reports of these conditions in a small number of women with breast implants. However, the results of a number of large epidemiological studies, which have examined women with breast implants and women who have never had breast surgery, indicate that the incidence of these diseases among women in both groups is approximately the same. itself. However, many women believe it was the prosthesis that caused their disease. According to published data, arthroplasty does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.