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I'm Thinking of Cancelling my Surgery. Research on Breast Augmentation is Giving Me Many Concerns.

asked 7 months ago by emailmyhart in Philadelphia, PA
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 382 times
Tags: cancer, capsular contracture, revision, risk, worried

I read one article that talked about how a large percentage of women have to have a revision within 5 years because of capsular contraction, rupturing, etc. I also read silicone could affect babies through breast feeding. One article linked breast implants to a cancer called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. I'd have to be extremely selfish to have surgery out of vanity when there is so many complications, right? It seems like not enough is known about the surgery. Anything that can ease my mind?

16 answers to I'm Thinking of Cancelling my Surgery. Research on Breast Augmentation is Giving Me Many Concerns.

Cancelling Breast Augmentation Surgery

The internet is a wonderful thing. You can find out anything, true or false, about any topic. And here in lies the problem. Silicone implants have been on the market for over forty years. In the early 1990's it was reported that breast implants caused various diseases. This was an unsubstantiated report and opened the floodgates to litigation. The implants went into a moratorium for the next 10 years. During that time each patient that received... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

Breast augmentation, risks, and revision

Although the re-operation rate and revision rate for breast augmentation is not high, it does exist. I first want to point out that the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma is exceedingly rare and the possibility of a definite link is currently being investigated. A possible association in a small number of rare cases is being studied. As for your other concerns, I think what you are getting at...is getting breast implants is not a one-time thing. It's a life decision.... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Breast Augmentation Risks

Hello Emailmyhart, Silicone and saline filled breast implants are associated with a fairly high risk of local problems that will lead to reoperation. Your risk based on a national average may be as high as 25% in first three years. This is not your risk with any individual surgeon, and who you chose to do your breast augmenatation will have a significant effect on your risk for unforseen problems like capsular contracture, implant malposition, tissue stretch, rippling, etc. ... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Concerns about risks for breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is the number one most performed surgical procedure plastic surgeons provide - many, many women get this surgery done on a daily basis with great results and minimal problems. Addressing your specific concerns, the overall rate of revision is low within a 5 year period. The highest revision rate of which I am aware is a 25% revision rate for women with saline implants over the first 10 years, and part of that group may be those who choose to change things, maybe... more

Michele A. Shermak, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drshermak.com

Concerns about Proceeding with Breast Augmentation

Hi there- I think it is important for you to put things into proper perspective... While the realities of capsular contracture and the other unfavorable outcomes you describe cannot be denied, it remains true that overall, breast augmentation is associated with an astoundingly high rate of patient satisfaction. If you're not ready, don't do it. But don't think for a minute that there is some deep dark secret out there that no one is telling you- all surgery has risks,... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Thinking of Canceling my Surgery. Research on Breast Aug Giving Me Many Concerns.Answer:

Any surgery should be well thought out and you should feel nervous but committed about your decision. Breast Implants do require some “maintenance” over the years and they are not risk free. I would visit with your doctor again and tell him all of your concerns. But I am sure the other doctors on this panel would tell you what has been my experience. Of all the procedures I do, BA has the highest satisfaction and lowest complication rate!!

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and risk

Certainly as with all surgeries there are risks. Unfortunately or fortunately, there is a lot of information "out there" that can confuse a person. If you are not 100% sure about having surgery, then don't do it. If you are on the "fence," you shoudl probably speak to yoru doctor again.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I'm Thinking of Cancelling my Surgery. Research on Breast Augmentation is Giving Me Many Concerns.

If you are not 100% ready for ANY elective cosmetic surgery than I agree CANCEL. Best to have a detailed informed consent meeting with your surgeon before proceeding.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Risks of breast augmentation

To a certain degree, it is completely normal to have concerns and fears about an upcoming surgery. Also, no surgical procedure is without risks. Since you have concerns about the risks associated with breast augmentation, I would at the very lease discuss these concerns with your surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to provide you with the risks and benefits of the procedure so that you can make a decision -- proceed with surgery or cancel surgery. You mentioned several... more

Anureet K. Bajaj, MD
Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

www.bajajplasticsurgery.com

Complications of breast implants and breast surgery

I always present all of the know complications to my patients BUT over 95-98% of women with implants are happy enough to never consider removing them Cancer is one in several hundered thousand or maybe millions breast feeding is not a safety problem capsules occur 9 % of the time in my practice but only a small number of those require surgery the implants can always be removed if you want they will need to be replaced sometime just like a heart valve, knee joint or any... more

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Concerned about risks of breast augmentation

It is great that you have done research on breast augmentation. Unfortunately, not all the information may be correct or put the extent of the risks into perspective. That is what professionals such as reputable board certified plastic surgeons do: present to you the information and then you can decide whether or not your can accept those risks and all the relevant issues associated with those risks. You should consider obtaining consultations from a few board certified plastic surgeons... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Questions about safety

While doing research is great, be careful not to get carried away. Some things you may find may be just horror stories without any proof to back them up. Others may be true but so exceedingly rare (there have been 64? reported cases of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma in all breast augmentations ever done throughout the world) that it really shouldn't scare you off from surgery. Finally, you need to realize that having a surgery once is probably not a one time deal.... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Delay Augmentation If In Doubt

Since you have a number of concerns about undergoing your augmentation as scheduled, I would suggest that you, at least, delay the procedure until you can gather more info. Capsular contracture and implant rupture certainly can occur. The lymphoma you mentioned is extremely rare (you are probably more likely to be struck by lightning). You would benefit from speaking to some patients who are 5-10 years out from their surgery.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Breast augment decisionmaking

You are wise to research areas of concern. Having implants, in all likelihood, will require replacement at some point in your lifetime. The website of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons contains excellent information. The FDA site article alleging a link between lymphoma and implants has not established a definitive connection or, I can assure you, implants would not be on the market. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon, if you have qualms, then certainly it would be... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation Concerns?

Thank you for the question. It is commendable that you are doing your due diligence prior to breast augmentation surgery. However, it is important that you read and listen to reliable sources to avoid anecdotal or plain inaccurate information. One good source of reliable information may be the FDA website ( where you will find information regarding the incidents of anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with breast implants) . Another source of information may... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Breast implants concerns

I understand some of the concerns you have especially regarding capsular contracture. Silicone in breast milk should not be a concern and there is no proven link to lymphoma. I think you mind feel like using saline implants would give you more peace of mind. The incidence is capsula contracture is far lower and you won t need to worry about the effects of silicone gel in your body. I prefer saline implants overall. I think there are fewer long term... more