What's the Approximate Death Rate for Women from Complications After Breast Augmentation?

asked 11 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Mark B. Constantian, MD
Question viewed 550 times
Tags: complication, death, infection, risk, surgery

I read a report on MSNBC about a cheerleader who died after she had her breasts done. What are the fatal complications?

10 answers to What's the Approximate Death Rate for Women from Complications After Breast Augmentation?

Any surgical procedure carries risk, but the risk can be managed

The only case I know about that sounds like the one you mentioned was from 2008 in Florida. Although I could not find out much other than what was published at the time, reports when it happened were that she died from a condition known as "Malignant Hyperthermia". That condition is hereditary, and reflects a severe sensitivity to anesthetics. Malignant Hyperthermia is rare, and most surgeons (and surgery centers) have never seen it, although we all know about it.... more

James Nachbar, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation mammoplasty complicaions

In over 30 years of being a plastic surgeon ,and having done nearly a thousand of breast enhancement , I personally ,am not aware nor have I heard a death due to or as a result of complications of augmentation mammoplasty. Of course any surgery has some risks, however if it is done by a board certified plastic surgeon in a safe & controlled environment the chance of dying as a result of undergoing augmentation mammoplasty is hunred times less than getting killed in an auto accident. You... more

Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation risks

I can't think of a single case in the UK where a woman had breast implants inserted and died as a result, and I think that's because safety is our first priority in elective cosmetic surgery.

Taimur Shoaib, MD
Glasgow Plastic Surgeon

Death after cosmetic surgery extremely rare

The reason you heard about it on TV is because it is an attention-getting story: that should tell you something. There is almost always "more to the story" when you hear about problems like this--poor preparation, poor monitoring, an unusual patient reaction. Michael Jackson died from propofol administration, but the drug is excellent and used hundreds of thousands of times monthly in the US--but used safely. Find a reputable surgeon whom you trust. That... more

Mark B. Constantian, MD
Nashua Plastic Surgeon

Total IV anesthetic eliminates the risk of malignant hyperthermia.

This patient died from malignant hyperthermia, a complication of a traditional general endotracheal anesthetic. It may be avoided with a total intravenous anesthetic. In my practice, this is the only way we perform cosmetic surgery, so that this rare but potentially fatal complication is eliminated as a risk. It's a good question. Medical personnel understand that a safe anesthetic is as important as choosing the right surgeon. So you are well advised to go... more

Eric Swanson MD
Leawood Plastic Surgeon

What's the Approximate Death Rate for Women from Complications After Breast Augmentation?

The unfortunate young lady who died had a complication of anesthesia and her genetic make up not from the breast implant. It was a complication by being placed under general anesthesia. Just to put a perspective on the situation.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Infinitesimal risk of death from breast augmentation

Without being redundant, the risk of death from a breast augmentation is exceedling remote as made clear by the several answers from the responding plastic surgeons. In general, the cause would be most likely related to problems associated with anesthesia. Let's look at this from a different perspective. Risks for problems will be increased when the training, experience,etc. of the operating surgeon is substandard. Those who have not been trained in plastic surgery and are performing... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Breast Augmentation and the Risk of Death

The risk of dying during surgery for breast augmentation is extremely rare and is primarily associated with the risk of anesthesia used during the procedure. The death rate of having anesthesia is about 1.5 in 1,000,000. To put that in perspective the death rate associated with riding in a car in the United States is 350 in 1,000,000. To minimize risk make sure you are seeing a properly trained plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Just as important is that you... more

Adam Hamawy, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation surgery is very safe

Breast augmentation surgery done with intravenous sedation is a very safe procedure. This anesthesia technique avoids the complications (although exceedingly rare) of a general anesthetic, such as malignant hyperthermia.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Fatal complications after breast augmentation?

Although I do not have a number for you in terms of risk, in the 26 years I have been in practice, I am not aware of any fatal complications after breast augmentation certainly in my own practice or that of any of my board-certified colleagues here in Seattle or for that matter of my colleagues across the country. Certainly any surgery has risks. If someone were to have a fatal complication after any cosmetic surgery, it would almost certainly be due to anesthesia problems such... more