Are there possible risks to having breast augmentation with ankylosing spondylitis?

If you are healthy otherwise, there should be no reason why you could not undergo a breast augmentation. There should not be any increased risk with regards to the surgery or general complications afterwards.  With any patient, it is imperative to really determine which implant will fit within their frame and match their goals, while not setting them up for long term problems.  In your case, an implant that is not too large so as not to put any additional strain on your neck/ back might be in order.  The best thing to do is to have a few consultations with board certified plastic surgeons that do a lot of breast surgery and a see what will work best for you.  I hope this helps.

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well;..based in your question its difficulted evaluate your case if the question dont have a picture, its recommended to get a consultation  your primary doctor to check your condition if can get surgery and if he give you authorized get in personal a consultation  with a plastic surgeon.

Dear kwheeler09,as long as you get a clearance from your doctor, you might be a candidate for a breast augmentation surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

kwheeler09 Hi There , Thank You for Your Question To low the risk of having encapsulation I usually use Saline Implants so if you have ankylosing spondylitis , you must talk to your  Rheumatologist before get surgery with his approval , you must think on using Saline Implants , I will advise to get a Virtual Evaluation Most Doctors like myself do this types of consultations this way we be able to better assist you in your decision .  good luck to you . 

Thank you for your question.  I would absolutely discuss this with your rheumatologist.  I have operated on patients with this in the past and we chose saline implants to minimize the risk of increase encapsulation.  Other than that they received the ok from their rheumatologist.  I would just ask him/her and then seek counsel from board certified plastic surgeons in your area. Best of luck to you

Although surgery , as for any life stressor, may have an effect on your ankylosing spondylitis this is likely to be temporary. Your surgical team will not doubt be extra careful with your back when you are asleep.
There is, to my knowledge, no known effect of silicone implants themselves exacerbating autoimmune conditions although a number of patients may present after augmentation with vague ill defined symptoms. A recent paper dis suggest some autoimmune conditions maybe more common but this flies in the face of previous case control studies.
So if you are significantly unhappy with your breasts and your physician and surgeon feel that you are a reasonable candidate I see no particular issue.

Dear kwheeler09,The question of risks of breast augmentation in the face of AS may best be addressed by a combined discussion between your rheumatologist and American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon.  AS, being an autoimmune type of condition, could theoretically be exacerbated by any surgery.  Surgery is a stressful insult to the body and could create a relative upregulation of your immune system in response (inflammation), which could theoretically worsen your AS.  Alternatively, AS is sometimes considered to be of an infectious origin.  If that is a possibility in your situation and there is any concern about a persistence of pathogenic (not supposed to be there) bacteria anywhere in your body, it might present a possibility for seeding of your breast implants with the bacteria.  Therein would lie the only concerns for increased capsular contracture rates.  Good luck!

This was, and still is a frequent question that dates back to the 1980's and 90's with the Big Silicone Scare of those days.  Many Autoimmune diseases were blamed on Silicone implants, especially due to concern about the old silicone implants which constantly leaked silicone (called Silicone Bleed).  Every single study in the world, clinically and scientifically proved that silicone does not cause any autoimmune disease and has no relation to any diseases, auto immune or otherwise.   One of the best things to come from the Big Silicone Scare of the 80's and 90's is that Breast Implants are now the most studied medical device in the world!   Also, all the attention and controversy has lead to Breast Implants being made Better, More Durable, No more Leaking (No Silicone Bleed) and much Longer lasting.  

I don't see any reason why Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) would interfere with breast implant surgery.  Please inform the surgeon and anesthesia personnel about your AS as it might influence positioning during the procedure.  Always consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs breast enhancement surgery frequently to assure the best possible result.Good Luck!

Dear K Wheeler,Hello and thank you for your excellent question.  I do not know of any reason why ankylosing spondylitis alone is a contraindication to breast augmentation. However, if you are concerned, you can always look into a non-implant based type of breast augmentation or lift procedure. There are a number of no-vertical scar breast lift techniques, but my preferred technique is the Bellesoma Breast Lift technique. Our technique provides an exceptional breast lift, upper pole fullness, relief from neck and back pain, and no vertical breast lift scar. It uses a woman’s OWN breast tissue to produce an internal suspension technique, without the need for a breast implant. It does not disturb the nipple, areola, or breast glands, so sensation and the ability to lactate is preserved. It uses 3D scanning of your breasts and body to design a procedure specifically designed for YOU, and you alone. Finally, for patients who desire breast enlargement, it can be combined with fat grafting. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 – 2018

BeautyAdvisor Top Contributor