Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Risky?

Breast augmentation surgery, which is one of the most preferred aesthetic operations by women, has some risks as is the case with any surgery. Risks that may occur with breast augmentation surgery include bleeding, wound healing problems, and infection. In addition to these, some complications related to anesthesia may also develop. As these risks are seen very rarely, necessary precautions are taken before the operation with the examinations performed on the patient in order to minimize them. Thus, it is aimed to eliminate or minimize possible risks. 

Are Silicone Implants Harmful to Health?

In breast augmentation surgery, silicone gels that are not harmful for medical use and that are allowed to be used are used. There are different types of silicone gels and they are not harmful to health. As a result of scientific studies, it has been determined that there is no relationship between silicone implants and the formation of breast cancer. The silicone prostheses used today are specially designed to reduce capsular contracture and there is a polyurethane coating on the silicone sheath. This spongy coating softens or blocks the reaction around the silicone implant, preventing hardening.

Do Silicone Prostheses Explode?

Silicone prostheses are not products that limit the person’s normal life. The silicone sheath of the silicone prosthesis containing the gel may explode when exposed to high pressure. However, it is not possible for the pressure to cause such a situation to occur in daily use. However, it may develop due to the compression of the breast during an accident or the force of a sharp object.

If the silicone prosthesis explodes, there may be conditions such as pain, hardening or softening of the breast, deformation of the breast, change in size, and formation of a nodule in the breast. 

It is possible for a thin fibrous layer to form around all prostheses placed on the body, and this is called a capsule. This may result in reduced contact between the base and the exploding implant. Silicone implants, which are used as a product of developing technology, do not have a flowing gel. For this reason, even in the case of explosion, the displacement of the gel is unlikely. And signs showing that the implant has exploded may not appear.

Patients who think that there is a difference in their prosthesis should consult their doctor as soon as possible. If the doctor encounters a suspicious finding during the examination, it may be necessary to image the inner part of the breast with a breast MRI and make a diagnosis. If the patient has a silent silicone leak that does not cause any complaints, there may be no need to make any intervention. In symptomatic cases, silicone prostheses need to be replaced. If the patient does not want a new prosthesis to be placed, the silicones can be removed and the shape of the breasts can be corrected with the necessary breast aesthetic operation.

Do Silicone Prostheses Prevent Cancer Screenings?

Silicone prostheses do not prevent mammography. As mammography does not affect the image quality, there is no damage to the silicone prosthesis due to imaging. Although some compression of the breast in mammography using modern devices does not harm the prosthesis, the person who will image should be informed about the presence of the silicone implant. Thus, it is possible for the technician to adjust the appropriate dose and angles for the silicone prosthesis. When the silicone has a dense-looking structure, it may cause problems in the imaging of some parts of the breast. For this reason, it is very important to image from the right angle.

Women with silicone prosthesis, like all women, should not neglect to have an ultrasound under the age of 40 and a mammography over the age of 40. MRI follow-up is recommended every 3 years in patients who use silicone prostheses with a rough surface structure.

However, since the silicone implants are attached under the breast tissue, the masses are more easily noticed during the physical examination.

Achieve Your Dream Look with Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast structure is one of the most important elements that complement the physical appearance of women, and women can achieve a more aesthetic appearance with silicone prostheses. Breast prostheses have a balloon-like structure prepared in the shape of a breast. There are round and drop-shaped prostheses, and the breast of the woman and other factors are evaluated and the appropriate type is preferred. Prostheses with balloon part made of silicone are produced in different sizes and volumes. The implant to be used is determined through discussion between the patient and the doctor. In some cases, the doctor can determine the ideal size by making trials during the surgery and a silicone implant can be placed depending on the determined size.

There is no obstacle for breastfeeding women who have breast augmentation surgery, that is, silicone prostheses are placed on their breasts. The risk of developing any disease, especially breast cancer, is not higher than for people who do not have silicone implants. Since a substance that is foreign to the body is used during breast augmentation, prosthesis problems may rarely be seen. A thin membrane may develop around the prosthesis, and narrowing and hardening may occur. While the thin membrane does not cause any problems, if a medium-thickness membrane is formed, a slight hardness in the breast or an emphasis at the base of the breast can be noticed.

During breast augmentation surgery, a small incision is made to insert the prosthesis. The incision may be in the inframammary fold, under the armpit, or on the side of the nipple. The scars that are evident in the post-operative period begin to fade gradually with the healing process.