Why Get Implants Considering All the Risks of Having Complications?

I was interested in implants for my deflated post-baby breasts. I researched it and found many risks, high re-operation and complication rates. The cost of re-operation and MRIs is not covered by insurance and implants can delay breast cancer detection on a mammogram. So my question to doctors is, what the heck? How is it possible that millions of women go for it? I know there has to be something reassuring about implants otherwise it wouldn't be such a common thing! help me out guys!

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by kcw

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (2)

Why Get Implants Considering the Risks of Having Complications?

This is a fantastic question. Many women choose to have breast augmentation because the satisfaction rate is very high and the risks are relatively low. To address your points: Many risks: Every medical treatment has a long list of risks. A list of potential risks does not mean something will go wrong. It is important to understand that breast augmentation is a real procedure with risks. These risks can be minimized if you and your surgeon make good... more

Patients Love Breast Implants

The overwhelming majority of patients love having breast implants.You are correct that it is reasonable to expect to have another surgery at some point. Breast implant surgery has extremely high satisfaction rates despite your concerns. Breast implants build your confidence, clothes fit better, and patients say they feel more feminine. Be sure that you pick your doctor carefully though because it matters who does your surgery to get the best outcome.

Most Risks Shared By Gel & Saline Implants

Most of the risks that you mentioned (re-operation rate and interference with mammography) are borne by both saline and silicone gel implants, although the recommendation for MRIs is unique to gels. As with any elective surgical procedure, you must weigh the benefits vs risks.

Breasts Augmentation Despite All the Risks?

Thank you for the excellent question. You are absolutely correct in that breast augmentation surgery carries the potential for significant risk/complications. You are also correct in that the vast majority of patients who undergo this procedure will end up having further surgery in their lifetimes ( breast augmentation revisionary surgery). On the other hand, the majority of patients who undergo this procedure are happy that they did so despite the concerns that you have... more

Implant safety

You are correct, breast augmentation surgery like all surgeries has many potential risks such as bleeding, infection, malposition, capsular contracture, need for reoperation and many others. Fortunately, these are all rare. If they were common, we would not offer the operation and women would not choose to undergo the operation. You are correct, reoperations and MRI's are mostly not covered by insurance or manufacturers warranties and women should be aware of this... more

Risk of Breast Implants

Breast Implants are placed behind your breast tissue, so having a mammagram can be easier. That is not a problem. In rare cases, a patient can develope scar contractures around one or both breast. In my practice, we do not see that very often. If you decide to have Breast Augmentation, be sure to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeon (ASPS) to discuss your concerns and expectations. Be well informed. more

Robert E. Zaworski, MD

4 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Implants and Risks

Implant complication rates are less than 1% in my practice. Reoperation rates for capsular contracture and rupture constitute about 5%, but this occurs over a number of years. Kenneth Hughes, MD breast implants Los Angeles, CA

Risks

Implants are not the right thing for all women. The number of women having this surgery supports its benefits

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Comments (2)

kcw 24 Oct 2012

Thank you Doctor Pousti for being frank and honest about it. That is what I thought, even with all the problems that can occur and most likely will occur, it is still worth it to women to have nice breasts on a daily basis. That seems so crazy but I guess I wouldn't know unless I got perfect nice looking round implants and knew what it was like to walk around looking sexy! I wish you would have touched on the mammogram aspect of my question since I am concerned that breast cancers could be missed potentially with implants. I appreciate your answer though!

kcw 23 Oct 2012

Hi Dr Z! Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify though, getting a mammogram with s Breast implant can in Some cases obscure the view of tumors , isn't that true? In that case, implants delay breast cancer detection .

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