With modern techniques and improvements to the implants themselves, it’s true to say that breast implant surgery has never been safer. Whether you decide to have implants for physical or psychological reasons, they can bring many benefits. However, you’re also signing up for the long haul, and like any medical procedure, problems and complications can occur.
If you’re considering breast enlargement surgery – where implants are placed under your breast tissue or chest muscles to enhance the size and shape of the breasts – it’s essential that you understand what the risks and warning signs are. At the Enhance Medical Group, your surgeon will provide you with a thorough explanation of the potential complications. We’ve also put this guide together so you know exactly what to look out for.
Breast implant problems
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the UK, and it has a low risk of complications. The most common problems are changes in nipples and breast sensation, breast pain and the formation of scar tissue. However, some other adverse outcomes can also occur.
A ruptured implant
Although implants are made to be tough, sometimes they can fail and leak, which is known as an implant rupture. Ruptures can occur for several reasons, such as a car accident or a leaky valve in saline implants. And the longer you have your implants, the more likely it is that a rupture will occur.
Although it sounds dramatic, an implant rupture is not usually a serious event. In most cases, the leak is contained within the body and it is not usually harmful. The patient may not even be aware of it – known as a silent rupture.
How do I know if my breast implant has ruptured?
The symptoms of a ruptured breast implant include:
- A change in the shape, size or consistency of the implant
- A swollen or lumpy breast
- Increasing pain or firmness of the breast
If you notice any of these signs, you should seek advice from your doctor or surgeon immediately. They will be able to carry out an ultrasound or MRI to determine whether the implant has ruptured. If it has, it will need to be removed and replaced.
Breast implant illness (BII)
Although BII is not a recognised illness and symptoms could be related to other medical issues, a small number of women experience a range of symptoms following breast augmentation that are collectively known as breast implant illness, or BII. More than 100 symptoms have been associated with BII and research to determine the cause and the link to the implants is ongoing.
The symptoms, which range from anxiety and depression to skin problems and dry eyes, can start immediately after the surgery or years later. Many of the symptoms are also associated with other conditions, which makes it difficult to determine the true cause. However, some women suffering from BII have found that the symptoms disappear once they have had their implants removed.
Symptoms of BII
Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of BII include:
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Depression
- Rashes or skin problems
- Tiredness
- Memory and concentration problems
- Disturbed sleep
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Chills
- Hormonal issues
Again, it’s important to know that these symptoms could be related to a different medical issue, so if you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms and have breast implants, you should speak to your doctor or plastic surgeon.
Infections
Infection is a breast implant problem that occurs in less than 1 in 1000 cases. It develops in the tissue around the breast implant in the days or weeks following the surgery and should be relatively easy to recognise.
For some patients, antibiotics will be sufficient to clear up the infection. However, if it doesn’t look better after a week or so, your surgeon may have to clean the infected tissue and remove the implant. You will then be given antibiotics in pill or intravenous form and will have to wait for three months or more for the infection to completely clear before having the implants replaced.
Breast implant infection symptoms
There are several signs of a breast implant infection:
- Breast pain
- A high temperature
- Redness and swelling
- New discharge from the incision
- Bruising
- Feeling cold and shivery
An infection is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Prompt and accurate diagnosis from your doctor or surgeon can lead to appropriate treatment and help to prevent further complications.
Bleeding
One of the more common breast implant problems is bleeding into the space around the implant, also known as haematoma. The small blood vessels in your body are very delicate, particularly after breast augmentation. The bleeding is the result of one of the vessels opening and leaking blood into the space created for the implant.
Haematoma usually occurs immediately after the operation and will be noticeable within a 5 or ten-minute period. However, it can also happen up to three weeks later. The likelihood of experiencing this complication is less than one in 100.
Haematoma symptoms
These are the signs to look out for:
- Swelling that may cause asymmetry
- Discolouration that looks like a bruise
- Breast pain and tenderness
- A lump that’s spongy or firm to the touch
If you experience any of these symptoms either immediately or a few weeks after surgery, contact your doctor or surgeon. Your surgeon will need to take you back to the operating room to stop the bleeding and remove the haematoma. You will be able to retain the implant, and although you may be more bruised than expected initially, it will settle down in time.
Capsular contracture
Capsular contracture occurs when the collagen capsule that forms around the implant thickens or tightens, causing discomfort, distorting the breast and making it feel firm. Although the cause of capsular contracture is not known, it’s thought to be more common after experiencing other breast implant problems, such as an infection, haematoma or rupture.
Capsular contracture usually only occurs on one side and the symptoms typically start to show between three and six months after surgery. It varies in its severity and may require surgery.
Capsular contracture symptoms
The warning signs of this relatively common breast implant problem include:
- Tightness
- Firmness
- Breast pain
- Asymmetry
- A round or ball-shaped breast
- Misshapen breast
- High-riding breast
Corrective surgery may be required if the capsular contracture changes the position or shape of the breast, is painful or affects your range of motion. Your surgeon will remove the abnormal scar tissue and replace the biological lining to prevent a recurrence of the condition.
Getting a boob job abroad: What are the concerns?
While these signs of breast implant problems are thankfully rare, they are typically more common in patients who travel abroad for their operation. Breast augmentation surgery overseas can be attractive due to the lower costs associated with the procedures. However, it also increases the risks.
For example, taking a long-haul flight after surgery can increase the risks of deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism. There’s also a lack of aftercare, with patients typically flying back to the UK within days of their treatment and without having the necessary follow-up care. And few foreign clinics have healthcare professionals based in the UK, so if you do experience problems, you’re left on your own.
Get breast implants safely with the Enhance Medical Group
Like any type of surgery, there are risks and complications associated with breast implants and problems can and do occur. With Enhance Medical Group, you have the peace of mind that all our cosmetic surgeons are professionally qualified, vastly experienced and licenced by the GMC. We also provide comprehensive patient aftercare and deal with any problems that may arise quickly while adhering to the highest professional medical standards.
Find out more about breast surgery and breast enlargement at Enhance Medical Group and book a free consultation with our team.