Sunday, January 27, 2008

The Most Common Complications Breast Implant Surgery

The Most Common Complications Breast Implant Surgery
There are over a million breast augmentation surgeries
performed each year and statistics show that this number
only continues to rise. Many of the women choosing to under
go a breast enlargement surgery do not become a statistic
and develop one of the standard complications. But for a
small percentage of women, this is not the case.

The most commonly seen complications are:

*Hematoma: a collection of clotted blood

*Seroma: a collection of the watery portion of the blood

*Infection: an infection often requires the implant to be
removed and left out for a period of time Infections
usually occur with the first 4 to 6 weeks. The general
consensus is that infection with Breast Augmentation occurs
in less than 2% of patients.

*Deflation: The deflation or rupture of an implant from an
injury, from wear and tear, or from an improperly under
filled implant.

*Double bubble: when the breast tissue may fall and create
one set of breasts and the implant staying in its rightful
pocket under the muscle creates the appearance of a bubble.

*Bottoming out: when the lower parts of the breast have
lost their tissue support and the natural crease is slowly
lowering itself.

*Capsular Contracture: hardening of the capsule surrounding
the implant

Understanding Capsular Contracture:

Capsular contracture is when the tissue around the breast
implant becomes hard, and squeezes the implant. The breast
can become compacted and very round, and in some cases,
have the "baseball" appearance. Your breast could look
deformed and it can be very painful.

It may happen repeatedly to one breast over and over or it
may happen to both breasts only once. This rarely ever goes
away on its own. Nor does it tend to stay "fixed" after a
revision surgery is performed. For the majority of women
who suffer from capsular contracture, it often becomes an
on-going issue.

Though the exact causes of capsular contracture are largely
unknown and it occurs in about 5% of patients, and that
translates into 5 out of every 100.

There are factors that can contribute to capsular
contracture, including:

*Germ contamination during implantation

*Seroma (the development of extra fluid around implant)

*Hematoma (internal bleeding) *Infection

*Smoking

*Placement of implant above muscle (when placed bellow the
muscle capsular contracture occurs with significant less
frequency)

There are known ways to help prevent capsular contracture.
Placing the implant under the muscle and massage therapy.
Sub-pectoral placement of the implant significantly reduces
the chances of developing capsular contracture and
massaging (and or compressing) the breast and implant for a
period of time from a few weeks, or for as long as you have
your implants, have been known to be effective.

If non-surgical methods do not work then surgery may be
necessary to correct the capsular contracture. There is
more than one surgical option available for treatment, and
you would need the recommendations of a board-certified
cosmetic surgeon to find out what you would need for you
own unique situation.

For each woman the desired surgical and long term results
are going to be different. If you find yourself in the
position of wanting to get as much information as you can
before you choose to have a breast enlargement or you are
one of the women who is experiencing any of these
complications, it is very important that you discuss your
questions and concerns with an experienced, board-certified
surgeon. These complications and most others are quite not
common and can be prevented by going into surgery healthy
and closely following post operative instructions.


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The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in
Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and
satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients'
look and feel their best. The Avalon Clinic wants you to
know that It Is Possible! Contact us at
http://www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!

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