There may be something about your breasts that you’d like to change through breast augmentation surgery. While the results of your procedure can vastly change your life by improving your self-esteem and confidence, complications can also occur.
Whether you want a lift, a reduction, implants or some other enhancement, it is important you know what problems you may encounter. Here are some of the most common complications that can occur:
* Surgical risks: Breast augmentation complications include the risks that accompany any kind of surgery. Because it is major surgery, general anesthesia is used and there is a risk of allergic reaction to the drugs. A bad reaction to anesthesia can range from simple difficulty waking up to the most severe reaction, death.
* Asymmetry: Whatever procedure you have there is a risk of some form of asymmetry. Once it has been lifted, reduced or filled, the breasts can be positioned unevenly.
Another possibility is uneven filling of the implants or too much tissue removed from one side. A lot of women seek breast augmentation to fix just these kinds of asymmetrical problems.
* Infection and scarring: This problem is a risk with all surgical procedures. However, if you experience visible scarring such as keloids because the incision site did not heal properly, the whole point of the procedure is negated. The aesthetic aspect of enhancing the bust-line is ruined.
Keloids are particularly unattractive because they are raised, red and highly visible. This complication can be avoided by following your surgeon’s aftercare information, but they still a possibility.
* Numbness and nerve damage: When the cuts are made into the skin, there is a possibility of damaging the nerves in the area. This often leads to temporary numbness, but it can also be a permanent condition. The loss of feeling and numbness occurs around the incision site which includes under the breast, under the arm and the nipple.
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of breast augmentation complications. The first and most important step is to find the right surgeon. Ask around and get referrals from friends and relatives. A recommendation from an actual patient is the best testament to a surgeon’s abilities.
You also want to verify his credentials by making sure he is board certified and licensed to practice. Another question to ask is if he is a member of any professional organizations and does he have a specialty.
Membership in organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ensures that your doctor maintains his certification and focuses on continuing education in his field.
Once you have verified that he is experienced to do the job, find out if you like the surgeon. During the consultation, ask him questions. Does he answer satisfactorily? Does he seem truly interested in you and your specific situation?
Sometimes just having the qualifications is not enough. If you don’t feel comfortable with a surgeon, you should keep looking. Breast augmentation complications are bad enough when they occur, but if you don’t like your surgeon to begin with, it can make the situation worse.
