subject: Possible Breast Augmentations Complications [print this page] A woman may decide to increase the size and volume of her breasts for a variety of reasons. Perhaps her bustline is small and out of proportion with the rest of her body due to her genetic makeup. Sometimes pregnancy and lactation can take their toll on previously ample breasts and they end up saggy and shrunken. Whatever the reason, this surgery can create a curvy and proportionate figure and therefore increase a woman's confidence.
The typical breast augmentation procedure is called augmentation mammoplasty. If the breasts have become very droopy, the surgical procedure called a breast lift or mastopexy may be performed in conjunction with the augmentation. The mastopexy would entail excising excess skin and pulling up and suturing into a higher, tighter position.
The augmentation process includes the plastic surgeon making incisions in either the armpit area, beneath the breast tissue or around the areola. An implant device would then be placed either behind or in front of the pectoral muscle in the chest area. The implant is of a rounded shape and is filled with either a silicone or saline solution.
Complications that may occur during surgery could include an adverse reaction to anesthesia or excessive bleeding. After surgery, there may be a loss of nipple sensitivity, infection, asymmetry between the two breasts, scarring or hardening around the implant. There is also the possibility of a rupture and leakage of either the silicone or saline substance.
During surgery, a competent surgeon will be prepared for dealing with any unexpected anesthesia or excessive bleeding. The anesthetic would be adjusted to fit the situation and the bleeding would be slowed. After surgery, infection is rare and would most likely be treated with antibiotics.
There are rare cases where the implant needs to be removed in order to heal the infection. Loss of nipple sensitivity is a possibility and varies from case to case. The potential candidate for augmentation would need to take this into consideration when making their decision to have the surgery.
Asymmetry can happen, but breasts are naturally slightly different sizes anyway. The plastic surgeon would take great care in aligning the symmetry of one's bustline. Scarring and hardening can often be alleviated by gentle massage in the initial days after surgery and throughout the life of the implants. If leakage occurs due to a rupture, the implant would have to be replaced. MRI's are now recommended every few years in order to monitor that the devices are still intact.
While complications are rare, it is always a good idea for a surgical candidate to be aware of them and weigh them carefully during the decision making process.
by: Abigail Aaronson
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