Silicone breast implants are safe. However, they may not be the best option for some women. The FDA has made implant manufacturers implement a new consent form. This form helps women determine if silicone breast implants are best for them.
All surgeons performing breast augmentations or reconstructions with silicone gel implants must have patients read and complete this consent form. This ensures the proper education of these patients regarding the risks associated with silicone gel breast implants.
Most surgeons do their best to educate their patients regarding these risks. However, in a sometimes busy practice, it may be hard to address all the issues involved.
The questionnaire now required will give the patient a chance to review risks on their own time. It will allow them to reflect more thoroughly on this important decision. Key takeaways from the questionnaire are as follows:
Patients with certain medical conditions are not candidates at all
Patients with an active infection anywhere in their body are not candidates for this procedure. Patients with untreated breast cancer are also not candidates. Finally patients who are pregnant or breast feeding are not candidates for the procedure.
Patients with certain medical conditions are at high risk of complications
Certain conditions may impair the body’s ability to heal. These conditions include diabetes and connective tissue disorders.
Certain exposures to drugs or toxins or radiation may also impair healing. Active smokers are a risk. Patients taking certain drugs that affect the body’s immune response to healing are also at risk. These drugs include chemotherapy and steroids. Patients with a history of radiation therapy to the chest wall may also have a higher risk of complications
In these cases, the surgery can still take place and be successful. However, your surgeon will suggest ways to reduce these higher risks. They will do this by adjusting the surgical plan.
Even in the healthiest patients there are risks to consider
Breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery can result in breast pain, regardless of medical history. It may cause nipple/areola sensitivity changes, asymmetry, infection, or scarring. There is also a risk of seroma (fluid in the implant cavity), hematoma or bleeding, and inability to breastfeed. Anesthesia complications may occur too. Some of these complications may occur in as high as 30% of patients.
Your surgeon will conduct a full evaluation of your medical history and physical exam. After this, they will recommend the best surgical plan to ameliorate these risks and obtain you the best outcome. It is important to note that you can still obtain an excellent result. However, no surgical endeavor is risk free.
Silicone gel implants carry the risk of Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma
Textured silicone gel breast implants are associated with the development of a type of cancer of the immune system. This cancer is called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). No cases have been reported in women exposed to smooth implants only. The incidence in patients with textured implants is reported at 1 in 30,000 patients (Doren EL, Miranda RN, Selber JC, et al.U.S. epidemiology of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017;139:1042–1050.)
BIA-ALCL typically takes several years to develop after implantation, but cases have been reported as early as within one year. Be aware of typical symptoms, including swelling and breast tightness. You may also experience pain, lumps, or swelling of the breast months or years after receiving the implants.
The treatment is en-bloc capsulectomy and implant removal done in a timely fashion. Some patients have required chemotherapy or radiation.
The use of smooth silicone gel implants is recommended to avoid the risk of this illness.
Breast Implant Illness is a rare but real condition
Some patients who have received breast implants have reported a variety of systemic symptoms. These include joint pain, fatigue, rash, memory loss, and “brain fog.” Some patients have called this breast implant illness. Some patients have reported relief of these symptoms with removal of their implants and surrounding scar tissue capsule. However, not all patients may experience improvement in their symptoms.
Researchers are working to better understand the possible link between breast implants and these
symptoms.
Breast Implants are not Considered Lifetime Devices
Silicone breast implants are NOT lifetime devices. The longer implants are in place, the more likely a patient is to require a reoperation due to implant rupture. This situation may require the replacement or removal of the breast implant. As many as 20 percent of women who receive breast implants for augmentation will need to have their implants removed. This typically occurs within 8 to 10 years. However, implants may last for a shorter or longer time.
Periodic imaging evaluation is recommended for screening of silicone gel-filled breast implant
rupture. If an implant ruptures, the silicone over time may migrate from my implant into nearby tissues (e.g., chest wall, lymph nodes under the arm) and organs (e.g., liver, lungs) where it may not be possible to remove.
Visit us a Thomassen Plastic Surgery to further discuss the risks and benefits of breast implant surgery.
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