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Breast Enlargement (Breast Augmentation)
Common Risks
The risks involved in breast augmentation are minimal, and great care is taken by the doctor and his staff to decrease
the chance of complication. The following, however, can occur:
- Infection— Normally, you will be treated with antibiotics during and after surgery.
Very infrequently, in approximately one out of five hundred cases, an infection can develop and the implant may
have to be removed for four to six weeks or even longer to allow the breast tissue to heal completely. At that
time the implant can usually be replaced. We suggest prophylactic antibiotic coverage during any serious systemic
infection (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, etc.) and before vigorous dental cleaning.
- Bleeding— This may occur in one out of fifty cases. If bleeding within the tissue is minimal, no action
need be taken, as the body will absorb the blood within a few weeks. If the bleeding is more extensive, with deformity
of the breast noted, secondary surgery may be necessary to remove the blood. By avoiding aspirin and aspirin-containing
products for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery, you will greatly reduce the possibility of this complication.
Bleeding also can be caused by overactivity.
- Scar Tissue— The formation of scar tissue around the implant (known as encapsulation) can occur in one out of
twenty cases, regardless of the skill of the surgeon or the particular technique used, and can result in pain and undesired
firmness of the breast. Use of a gel or double lumen implant necessitates daily movement exercises to decrease the possibility
of scar formation. If applicable to your situation, this exercise program will be demonstrated by our nursing staff.
If scarring occurs, it may be minimal and detectable only by the doctor. In more severe cases, secondary surgery may be
necessary to remove the scarring, after which the implant can usually be replaced.
Years ago, surgeons explained to their patients that firmness occurred in the majority of cases and had to be accepted by any
woman considering the procedure. Today, with improved techniques and implants, the percentage of patients who develop excessive
firmness of the breasts is between 5% and 10%. Nevertheless, anyone contemplating breast enlargement should be aware of
the possibility of this complication.
- Asymmetries— Naturally, no one has perfectly symmetrical breasts. Baseline asymmetry or shape discrepancies
may be improved by using implants of a different size or shape. In some cases, discrepancies can be magnified with augmentation.
Every attempt will be made to improve the shape and contour of your breasts. Infrequently, follow-up surgical adjustment
may be necessary.
- Changes in Sensation— 80% of patients (or more) retain the same sensation in the breast after surgery. 10%
experience increased sensation, and the other 10%, a decrease. Within a few weeks to months, some of those patients find
that breast sensation has returned to normal.
- Discomfort— A very unusual, chronic discomfort may occur in the breast with implants. We have found that a
program of caffeine avoidance and Vitamin E supplementation of 800 to 1200 units per day greatly assists in decreasing pain,
particularly in patients with fibrocystic disease.
- Other risks, yet undiscovered or unproven— Allergies, auto-immune reactions.
It is important to stress that breast surgery does not cause cancer. Annual breast examinations are important for all women,
whether or not the breasts have been surgically altered, and regular mammograms are recommended after the age of 35.
Breast augmentation is one of the more commonly performed cosmetic operations. Dr. Manduano and his staff will be happy to
answer any further questions you may have about this procedure.
Contraindications of breast enlargement surgery are chronic infection of breast tissue (chronic mastitis), a history of
bleeding problems, and any other uncontrolled, serious illness such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure.
A NOTE ON SATISFACTION AND DISSATISFACTION
It is important that you work with the doctor to establish realistic appearance goals. More than seventy items contribute to
a surgical result. With aesthetic surgery, good results are nearly always achieved. When you are willing to reserve final judgment
for a period of six months to a year, our results are usually excellent and unparalleled.
Beautiful paintings and sculptures by world-renowned artists always have small imperfections, but these are rarely scrutinized.
Instead, one sees the overall beauty and mastery of the art. In order to remain natural looking, cosmetic surgery will result in
small imperfections when closely scrutinized. To avoid these, the doctor would have to use techniques such as pulling your skin
tight enough to distort the features. Instead, we utilize an artistic approach while maintaining your safety. We strive for a
youthful, yet natural look—the mark of an artist.
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