Breast Augmentation Risks and Complications

Newport Beach, — Orange County, California

Breast enhancement can be a very rewarding, confidence-boosting body augmentation. But as with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications you should be aware of before heading into surgery. During your initial breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Douglas Hendricks and his team at Pacifica Cosmetic Surgery Center in Orange County, California will review all of the details and give you the opportunity to ask questions about the preparation, the surgery day, and the healing process. Keep in mind that complications are extremely rare in our Orange County practice under the guidance of Dr. Hendricks, and our team is uniquely prepared to deal with any challenging issues that may arise before, during, or after plastic surgery. Also, all of our saline and silicone breast implants have long-term manufacturer warranties to protect you in the event of a product defect.

Here is a brief description of a few of the risks and complications involved with breast augmentation:

Blood loss — In the rare instance that a blood vessel opens after the surgical procedure, bleeding can cause swelling and pain, possibly requiring a second procedure to stop the bleeding.

Infection — Strict safety measures are taken to keep the risk of infection very low. However, with any invasive procedure, there is always some degree of risk that the tissue could become infected by bacteria. Antibiotic treatment plus implant replacement is used to combat infection.

Implant leakage — Saline escaping from the breast implant due to a defect in the product can occur. Saline leaks will not cause harm to the body, but will create a deflated appearance. In the event a leak is discovered, replacement of the implant is necessary.

Implant rupture — Implants can rupture due to a product defect or injury. Older implants have an increased risk of rupture, but the problem can be easily solved with a breast implant replacement procedure.

Capsular contracture — As part of healing, the body will create scar tissue around the implant, called a capsule. Seldomly, the body may form an unusually thick, abnormal capsule around the new breast implant, creating a shape that is unnatural and hard to the touch. For these patients, a second procedure called an open capsulotomy will be performed to remove the capsule and restore a normal appearance.

Implant rippling — As the healing process takes place, breast implant rippling may occur. Implant rippling is more common with saline implants and can be corrected with a follow-up surgery to replace the implant. Patients with thin breast tissue are more prone to rippling.

Talk to a skilled Orange County cosmetic surgeon about the risks and benefits of breast enlargement surgery. Please contact Pacifica Cosmetic Surgery Center in Newport Beach today and we will set you up for a personal, confidential consultation.