There are over a million breast augmentation surgeries performed each year and statistics show that this number only continues to rise. Many of the women choosing to under go a breast enlargement surgery do not become a statistic and develop one of the standard complications. But for a small percentage of women, this is not the case.

The most commonly seen complications are:

*Hematoma: a collection of clotted blood

*Seroma: a collection of the watery portion of the blood

*Infection: an infection often requires the implant to be removed and left out for a period of time Infections usually occur with the first 4 to 6 weeks. The general consensus is that infection with Breast Augmentation occurs in less than 2% of patients.

*Deflation: The deflation or rupture of an implant from an injury, from wear and tear, or from an improperly under filled implant.

*Double bubble: when the breast tissue may fall and create one set of breasts and the implant staying in its rightful pocket under the muscle creates the appearance of a bubble.

*Bottoming out: when the lower parts of the breast have lost their tissue support and the natural crease is slowly lowering itself.

*Capsular Contracture: hardening of the capsule surrounding the implant

Understanding Capsular Contracture:

Capsular contracture is when the tissue around the breast implant becomes hard, and squeezes the implant. The breast can become compacted and very round, and in some cases, have the "baseball" appearance. Your breast could look deformed and it can be very painful.

It may happen repeatedly to one breast over and over or it may happen to both breasts only once. This rarely ever goes away on its own. Nor does it tend to stay "fixed" after a revision surgery is performed. For the majority of women who suffer from capsular contracture, it often becomes an on-going issue.

Though the exact causes of capsular contracture are largely unknown and it occurs in about 5% of patients, and that translates into 5 out of every 100.

There are factors that can contribute to capsular contracture, including:

*Germ contamination during implantation

*Seroma (the development of extra fluid around implant)

*Hematoma (internal bleeding) *Infection

*Smoking

*Placement of implant above muscle (when placed bellow the muscle capsular contracture occurs with significant less frequency)

There are known ways to help prevent capsular contracture. Placing the implant under the muscle and massage therapy. Sub-pectoral placement of the implant significantly reduces the chances of developing capsular contracture and massaging (and or compressing) the breast and implant for a period of time from a few weeks, or for as long as you have your implants, have been known to be effective.

If non-surgical methods do not work then surgery may be necessary to correct the capsular contracture. There is more than one surgical option available for treatment, and you would need the recommendations of a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to find out what you would need for you own unique situation.

For each woman the desired surgical and long term results are going to be different. If you find yourself in the position of wanting to get as much information as you can before you choose to have a breast enlargement or you are one of the women who is experiencing any of these complications, it is very important that you discuss your questions and concerns with an experienced, board-certified surgeon. These complications and most others are quite not common and can be prevented by going into surgery healthy and closely following post operative instructions.

Copyright (c) 2008 Dr. Robert Kenevan