Breast Implant Revision Side Effects and Risks

Women undergo breast augmentation including breast implant surgery for a number of reasons and if a problem should occur, they want it to be remedied quickly.  Breast revision surgery can be performed for any number of reasons, both cosmetic and health-related.  It is important to note, however, that just as the original surgery involved certain risks and side effects, so does breast implant revision surgery.

Exhaustion

After undergoing any type of surgery, it is common for patients to experience exhaustion.  The most important element in recovery is to attain an adequate amount of rest – this amount is generally higher than the amount of rest a patient’s body would normally require.  The amount of rest a postsurgical patient receives can greatly affect the speed of his or her recovery.

Soreness/Stiffness

Surgery affects each patient differently, but soreness can typically be expected at the incision site and the surrounding muscular areas.  Caution should be taken in stretching and engaging in exercise or vigorous activity in order to avoid wound separation, a complication which would require additional surgery to repair.

Infection

Infection is a very real risk for patients undergoing breast implant revision surgery.  During recovery, it is imperative to keep the incision sites clean, to change the dressing often, and to properly use any medications prescribed by a doctor.  Minor infections resulting from surgery can frequently be treated by antibiotics, but severe infections may require more extreme treatment measures.

Capsular Contracture

The risk for scar tissue forming around the breast implant is the same for the first surgery as it is for any subsequent surgeries.  When scar tissue forms around the implant, an occurrence known as capsular contracture, the breast tissue can become firm, resulting in an unnatural look and feel.

Rippling

Indentations on the breast can sometimes occur when the implant moves beneath the skin.  This problem is less common in smooth implants than in those that are textured and can, in some cases, be palpable to the touch as well as visible.  Rippling is also known to be more common in cases where the implant has been placed above the muscle.

When undergoing breast implant surgery, there is always a possibility that revisions will be necessary.  Whether the implant deflates, causes ripples, or becomes inadequate for any number of reasons the same risks and side effects are involved in breast implant revision surgery as the first time around.

If you are interested in breast implants, contact a surgeon today to schedule a consultation.