One of the most common forms of surgery performed worldwide is breast augmentation surgery, otherwise known as having breast implants. Hundreds of thousands of women every single year, ranging from teenagers through to old age, opt to have their breasts enlarged and this number only grows every single year. In addition to just regular implant surgery, more and more breast cancer patients are opting for reconstruction surgery following having a mastectomy and this often includes having implants added.
On top of this, you have re-augmentation surgeries where women decide to either increase or decrease the size of their implants and breast implant removal surgeries as well and given the fact that these numbers are all rising year on year, there is still a debate swirling around about the safety of breast implants. All it takes nowadays is a quick Google search and there’s ads and articles of varying credibility telling you one thing and then the other, so we’ve took the time to compile some of the facts in one location to save you the hassle.
So, lets start off with the negatives, what are the known risks associated with breast implants?
Well, reports of complications have arisen since the very start. There are a number of short and long term risks associated with breast implants that you should be aware of before opting for surgery.
Local complications, which refer to problems actually occurring within the breast and are related to the surgery/implants, can include infection and other surgical risks such as varied amounts of pain in the breast/nipple, numbness, possible breakage, the need for further surgery and in some extreme cases, there are cosmetic problems or dissatisfaction with how the breast looks following surgery.
There are also some risks associate with surgery, although these are only really considered to be prevalent around the time of surgery such as anaesthesia related risks, although sometimes the risks can occur later after surgery.
Moving on from there, how do I prepare for breast implant surgery?
It all starts with a consultation about what you’re looking for with size, feel and appearance for your new breasts. Your surgeon will talk with you about the different options that are available to you, such as smooth or textured, the shape and even the type of implant, as well as the different surgical options that could be used.
It’s still up to you to decide on whether you wish to go ahead with surgery at this point, but you will be provided with more information to assist you in your decision making. It’s important to be aware of a few things before you decide to have surgery performed.
- Breast implants won’t prevent your breasts from sagging
- They aren’t guaranteed to last forever and have a lifespan of around 10 years
- Future mammograms may be more complicated
- Breast implants may hamper breastfeeding in future
- You may need to undergo an MRI scan in future
You’ll also need to arrange for somebody to drive you home following the surgery and for them to stay with you on the first night post-surgery.
What about recovery, how long does that take?
This is something that varies on a patient to patient basis, so the recovery time is different for each person. On average, it seems that the recovery after getting breast implants ranges from around four to six weeks. Most patients will notice and feel a substantial improvement within one week of surgery, but it is highly recommended that you stick to light activity and no strenuous exercise until your recovery period has been completed.
As incisions have been made in the skin, there will be some kind of scarring associated with the procedure but in the vast majority of cases, these heal incredibly well and fade over time. We will always opt for the option that has the most minimal scarring and will perform the surgery in a place that can be more inconspicuous (such as underneath the breast), but any concerns should be raised with your surgeon beforehand.
What happens next after I’ve undergone surgery?
The results of a breast implant aren’t forever (as we touched on already) and often tend to last as long as 10 years, although this does vary on a person to person basis. It can also depend on a number of other factors such as the type, size and shape of the breast implant that have been used. Over time, patients generally tend to undergo a follow up procedure to maintain their aesthetic profile or in some cases, reduce or enhance the implants they have already had.