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Breast Augmentation
Chapter 4
Related to both the leakage and gel bleed are granulomas. These
are small or sometimes larger lumps that form when silicone gel
leaks into the breast or other body tissues. It is sometimes difficult
to distinguish them from a potentially cancerous lump in the breast,
and may again prove harmful to the body.
Your body's natural response to anything foreign in your body is
to reject it. With a breast implant this also applies, your body
may form hard scar tissue, or capsule around the implant, which
is called capsular formation. This may in turn lead to a condition
called contracture, which occurs when the area of scar tissue tightens.
Contracture causes pain in the breasts as the tissues in the breast
and the implant are forced into a smaller area. If it happens to
an extreme degree, the consequence is that the tissues in one breast
may contract and not in the other, or in both breasts but unevenly,
giving you a lopsided appearance. The worst case scenario is for
the implant to be constricted to the point that it leaks or even
breaks, resulting in severe pain and disfigurement. If this happens,
the implant must be removed immediately. Contracture may happen
many years after you've had the implants inserted, so it's something
to keep in the back of your mind. Some doctors suggest that the
newer "textured" implants may reduce the occurrence of
contracture.
A less severe, albeit still important issue to consider is that
your breasts and nipples may become either absolutely without sensation,
or on the other hand, extremely sensitive, to the point of pain.
Neither is very desirable. Immediately after the surgery and in
the following weeks, most women experience a temporary loss of sensation,
which is fairly normal, but as time progresses, they generally regain
feeling. It is suggested however, that up to 10% of women experience
permanently reduced sensation in their nipples after undergoing
breast augmentation surgery.
Another major issue to bear in mind when considering breast implants
is the relationship between silicone implants and autoimmune diseases,
such as lupus and scleroderma. Women with silicone breast implants
face a greater risk of developing these diseases. In the last 10
years, there have been thousands of women claiming a fair range
of illness due to their breast implants and have won lawsuits against
producers of these products resulting in the FDA pulling them off
the market in the United States. There is still much controversy
over this issue, as studies conducted have reached various conclusions
as to the specifics, but it is generally agreed that major health
risks are posed. There is also conclusive evidence that breast implants,
while not increasing the risk of developing cancer of the breast,
sometimes impede early detection of the cancer, as implants can
interfere with mammograms.
As long as milk ducts were not severed during the insertion of
the implant, it is still possible to breast feed babies if you have
breast implants. As previously mentioned, sensitivity of the breast
and nipple may change, which may render breast feeding more difficult,
but still possible. If you are a young woman that intends to have
children, then you should mention that to your surgeon, as it may
alter the surgical procedure that he or she feels is best for you.
If you have a saline implant that leaks during the period that you
are breast feeding, it is not particularly harmful to the baby,
but as for silicone implants, the effects are indeed so.
Finally, breast implants do not last forever; they wear out like
most other man made products, needing to be removed or replaced
depending on whether you've experienced any difficulties with them.
Currently, it is said that an implant lasts about 20-25 years, so
depending on your current age and your longevity, you may have to
have the procedure repeated a few times over your lifetime. It is
recommended that implants get checked yearly by your doctor.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider before deciding
whether or not breast implants are right for you. They often favorably
enhance your image, but many potential risks are involved. Costs
also can vary greatly depending on your geographic location and
your choice of surgeon. Only you can decide for yourself what is
best. The main thing that we recommend is to thoroughly research
all aspects - including the surgeon, the current products available
on the market, the differences in procedures and the state of your
health.
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