Are Breast Implants Safe: A Guide for Cautious Patients
Are you considering breast augmentation but curious about the risk of complications? It’s not a decision to be taken lightly but with a little research, you can more confidently decide if the procedure is right for you. If you’re from Prince Edward Island or a nearby area, we encourage you to reach out to The Landings Surgical Centre. Our Halifax, Nova Scotia, team is happy to meet with you during a consultation to discuss how safe breast implants are, as well as evaluate your health history and potential risk factors. Until then, let’s explore the topic at a glance.
Breast Implant Safety Concerns
Like any type of plastic surgery, breast augmentation has the potential to compromise your health and safety. Keep in mind it’s generally considered a safe procedure and is commonly performed. So what are some of the potential risks you could face? After breast augmentation, patients might experience:
- Infection
- Prolonged bleeding
- Swelling
- Pain that is difficult to manage
- Capsular contracture, or a hardening of scar tissue around an implant
Some of these concerns, like infection and capsular contracture, can have a very serious effect on your body. A doctor can provide treatment, which might range from antibiotics to removal of the implants. Others, such as swelling and discomfort, will naturally lessen as you heal. In addition, your care provider should carefully screen for lifestyle habits like smoking and conditions like poorly controlled diabetes that would make you a poor candidate.
Other Risks of Breast Augmentation
Immediate, potentially life-threatening complications are obviously not the only concerns that breast augmentation patients might face.
Poor Cosmetic Outcome
A well-performed breast augmentation should achieve beautiful, natural-looking results. Some studies find as many as 88% of patients are happy with their outcome. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences what they feel is an improvement. Some common aesthetic risks include:
- Breasts that sit unnaturally high on the chest
- Implants that appear too large for the patient’s frame or proportions
- In contrast, implants that fail to achieve the transformation they had in mind
- Uneven results; for example, one breast appears larger than the other
Changes in Nipple or Breast Sensation
Though it can be temporary, some women experience a permanent effect on the sensation in their nipples and breasts. This can be disconcerting for some and impact their quality of life.
An Inability to Breastfeed
Depending on the placement technique – either over or under the pectoral muscle – your ability to breastfeed a baby might be compromised. Be sure to discuss whether this is important to you and also keep in mind that the best way to prolong your results is to undergo breast surgery once you’ve finished having children.
How to Minimize Risk
Now that you have a better idea of what some risks of breast augmentation are, let’s discuss how to mitigate these concerns.
Managing Expectations
Breast size, whether or not you’ll be able to breastfeed, and just how transformative the results can be… these are all areas that you’ll need to thoroughly discuss with your doctor. A good surgeon will communicate with you in a way that allows you to feel excited about the possibilities of plastic surgery while at the same time tempering unrealistic expectations.
Choosing a Breast Augmentation Surgeon
The single most important step you can take to safeguard your health, safety, and satisfaction with your results is to research doctors and choose carefully.
At The Landings Surgical Centre in Halifax, our entire staff is highly trained. Other reasons to choose us include:
- Both of our surgeons are board-certified and have over 25 years of experience
- Our private facility is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities
- We use the advanced Crisalix 3D imaging system to help you “try on” different looks and preview your results
Despite our distinctions, we consider it a privilege to treat each and every patient. Remember: it’s important to trust your gut so the initial consultation is a great place to start.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
If you’re considering breast augmentation, we’re happy to meet with you and provide more information. Reach out to our Halifax office today to ask us questions or to request an initial consultation.