Complications of breast augmentation surgery are rare and most patients report that the pain and discomfort associated with the recovery are definitely worth the benefits. But, as with any surgery, it is very important to be well educated about the potential complications before you go through with the surgery. You and your cosmetic surgeon should discuss in detail the complications listed below and all questions you have prior to your procedure.

Capsular Contracture â “ this condition, which can cause some pain and discomfort, occurs if the connective tissue around the implant tightens, giving your new breasts an unnaturally firm look and feel. If severe capsular contracture happens after your breast augmentation surgery, it may require another surgery to remove the connective tissue and replace the implant.

This condition is less common if the implant is placed behind the muscle, so be sure to discuss this with your cosmetic surgeon prior to the procedure.

Implant Displacement â “ Although rare, your new breast implants can shift out of position after the surgery. They can move up or down or left or right. If an implant only shifts slightly, it may not be noticeable. If it shifts a lot, you may need corrective surgery to move it back to the right position.

Rupture â “ Whether you have saline or silicone implants, they can sometimes rupture after surgery. If you have saline implants, the saline (sterile salt water) will leak out and be absorbed by the body, with no resulting harm. The implant can then be replaced. Surprisingly, rupture and deflation is most common when the implants have NOT been overfilled. This concept is counterintuitive, but rupture happens when a small section of the implant shell folds repeatedly due to your natural body movements. Eventually the area where it keeps folding can form a tiny tear and then the saline will leak out, causing the implant to deflate.

The risk of deflation is about 4% during the first year after the implants are put in and then goes down to 1% per year per implant after that.

The same body movements that cause a saline implant to rupture can also cause a silicone implant to rupture. The major difference is that with the new silicone gel implants approved in 2006 by the FDA, the silicone does not leak. It sticks to itself despite the small tear in the shell. Therefore you may not know that the implant has ruptured. In some cases the body can create capsular contracture after a rupture. Once you are aware that your silicone implant has ruptured, you will need to have it taken out along with any tightened connective tissue the rupture has caused, and have it replaced.

Rippling â “ Rippling is wrinkling or waviness of the skin over the saline implant. It is caused by the saline shifting inside of the implant, and for that reason, is very uncommon if the implant is overfilled. Placing the implant under the muscle will also reduce your chances of having this complication.

Infection â “ In roughly 1% of all breast augmentation procedures an infection will occur within the first two months. If this happens, you will need to go on antibiotics and it may require implant removal. Carefully following your post-surgery self-care instructions will go a long way towards preventing any infection.

Nipple Numbness â “ The risk for some level of nipple numbness is about 15% for breast augmentation patients in the U.S. Although many cosmetic surgeons have a much lower percentage of patients who have experienced this problem, this should be a major consideration before you schedule your surgery. Talk with your cosmetic surgeon about this risk in detail and ask how many of his or her patients have ever experienced it.

Mammogram Interference â “ The most effective way to detect breast cancer is through self-exams, which your implants will not interfere with. But implants can interfere with mammograms, because they block the view of roughly 10-25% of your breast tissue, depending on whether your implant is over or under the muscle (under the muscle interferes the least). If this is a major concern for you, you should discuss it with both your cosmetic surgeon and OBGYN.