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Cosmetic breast surgery - Risks

Alternative Names

Breast augmentation; Breast implants; Implants - breast; Mammaplasty

Risks:

Risks for any surgery are:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for breast surgery are:

  • Difficulty breastfeeding
  • Loss of feeling in the nipple area
  • Small scars, usually in an area where they do not show much. Some women may have thickened, raised scars.
  • Uneven position of your nipples
  • Different size or shape of the two breasts
  • It is normal for your body to create a “capsule” made up of scar tissue around your new breast implant. This helps keep the implant in place. Sometimes, this capsule becomes thickened and larger and may cause a change in the shape of your breast, hardening of breast tissue, or some pain.
  • Breaking or leakage of the implant
  • Visible rippling of the implant

The emotional risks of surgery may include feeling that your breasts don't look perfect, or you may be disappointed with people's reactions to your “new” breasts.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/8/2011
  • David A. Lickstein, MD, FACS, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Palm Beach Gardnes, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Burns JL, Blackwell SJ. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 73.

Sarwer DB. The psychological aspects of cosmetic breast augmentation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Dec;120(7 Suppl 1):110S-117S.

Hölmich LR, Lipworth L, McLaughlin JK, Friis S. Breast implant rupture and connective tissue disease: a review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Dec;120(7 Suppl 1):62S-69S.

McLaughlin JK, Lipworth L, Fryzek JP, Ye W, Tarone RE, Nyren O. Long-term cancer risk among Swedish women with cosmetic breast implants: an update of a nationwide study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Apr 19;98(8):557-60.

Wiener TC. Relationship of incision choice to capsular contracture. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2008 Mar;32(2):303-6.

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