Complications

Most patients who have breast enlargement are highly satisfied with the outcome, with a relatively low-rate of complications (8-12% in the first five-years) after surgery. However, as with any procedure, there are some limitations and complications such as:

• Scars heal well but can become lumpy (hypertrophic).

• Infection can occur (<5%), may require antibiotics and implant removal.

• Bleeding straight after surgery may necessitate a return to the theatre.

• Implants / leak: implants may leak due to length of time, age, injury or trauma.

• Capsular contracture: breasts may harden and change shape over time. This is an indication of implant age, leak or rupture.

• Silicone leakage can sometimes result in harmless lumps around the breast folds.

• Seroma (significant fluid) around the implant, though uncommon, can occur as an early or late complication.

• Ripples, wrinkles & implant edges: it’s not uncommon to feel folds, edges or irregularity of the implant surface - especially in those with very little breast tissue.

• Implants can occasionally get displaced or rotate (if teardrop shaped).

• Implants normally develop a capsule (scar tissue) around them; sometimes this can become hard and painful, which may require revision.

• Breast implants occasionally affect mammography readings, as they can obscure breast tissue visualisation.

• Nerve damage: numbness or loss of sensation around the nipples and incision sites may occur temporarily, and sometimes permanently.