Breast Augmentation - The Safety and Risks

Although breast augmentation procedures have improved drastically over the last few years, there are many risks still present and anyone who plans to invest in this procedure should know what their risks are. The risks change based on the type of procedure as well as the overall person's health and well-being. Each person has a different reaction to the process and the results can differ, too. However, most people will find that this is a safe procedure that can offer excellent, long term results without a lot of risk. Finding the best doctor out there is a part of having this level of success, though.

Know the Risks

Knowing the risks of breast augmentation is important. Even if it is unlikely to happen to you, you should know what could happen. The first step to knowing what these are is to talk to your plastic surgeon that will provide you with information about the procedure and about your own risks. Since there are various types of breast augmentation, having the right information about the type of procedure you plan to have is important. Here are some additional risk factors to consider.

• It is possible that you will have pain in your breasts. This comes and goes or may become chronic in some people.

• Scarring can occur. Newer methods make this procedure far less invasive and with much smaller scarring likely to happen, but you will end up with some scarring nonetheless.

• You may feel changes in your level of sensation in the tissues of the breasts and especially in the nipple. This occurs due to changes in the tissue but also due to changes in the nerves.

• Some people do have a hardening develop around the implant. This occurs as scar tissue forms around it, a natural process that your body creates to protect itself from the foreign body.

• You may be at risk for infection. Anytime there is an opening of the skin, there is the risk for developing an infection. Some facilities and people may be more prone to this occurring than others are.

• You may have trouble with the shape and sizing of the implants over time. Some breast augmentation procedures, for example, can leave the breasts not the same. They may not be symmetrically, though doctors do work to ensure this is as close as possible.

The good news is that procedures are now more successful than ever. You are likely to find yourself with improved procedures that cut back on the amount of time it takes to heal and the pain level you are in. Many people who have breast augmentation find that this procedure is one of the best decisions they have ever made and the hard work of getting to this point does make a difference. It is a good idea to invest some time into the process of choosing the right doctor as this will ensure that you have even more success with the procedure.