What Dangers Surround Breast Surgery?
What Dangers Surround Breast Surgery? – Breast surgery is a delicate procedure, and many women are unaware of the dangers that surround it. This blog post will discuss some of the most common risks involved with breast augmentation and mastectomy. We’ll also cover what can be done to reduce these risks and minimize side effects for patients considering breast surgery.
Table of Contents
Most Common Risks in Breast Surgery
- Infection: This is the most common complication of any surgery, and it is hazardous in breast surgery. Infections can cause serious health problems and may require additional surgery to correct.
- Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood that forms under the skin. It can be painful and may require drainage.
- Seroma: This is the build-up of fluid in a surgical site. It can cause swelling and may require drain removal or further surgery to correct.
Risks Associated with Breast Surgery Recovery
Pain: Some pain after breast surgery is normal, but most women experience more than they expected from their recovery. Pain can be managed with medication, and it is vital to communicate with your surgeon about pain levels to treat them effectively.
Numbness: Some women experience numbness in their breasts after surgery. This problem affects a small percentage of patients and usually goes away over time without additional treatment. Numbness can also be a sign of nerve damage, so it is essential to report any changes in sensation to your surgeon.
Scarring: All surgeries leave scars, and breast surgery is no exception. While the wounds may not be visible once they heal, they can often be tender or itchy. In some cases, additional surgery may be necessary to reduce the size or prevent them from appearing.
Risks Associated with Reconstruction Surgery
Reconstruction surgery is a form of breast surgery that reconstructs an entirely new breast after mastectomy, which can be performed as part of cancer treatment to remove all traces of cancerous tissue and cells in the affected area, such as lymph nodes surrounding the breast.
There are several risks associated with reconstruction surgery, including:
- Infection: As with any surgery, it is always essential to have a skilled surgeon performing the surgery who is a familiar risk of infection. This increases if the patient has already undergone radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment.
- Bleeding: Reconstruction surgery can be a complex procedure, and it is not uncommon for patients to experience significant bleeding. This can lead to additional surgeries, blood transfusions, and other health complications.
- Scarring: As with any surgery, scarring is always a risk. In the case of reconstruction surgery, these scars may be permanent and affect the appearance of the breast.
- Complications with Implants: As with implant-based reconstruction, there is always a risk that the implants will fail or need to be removed.
- Unsatisfactory Results: Reconstruction surgery may not result in an aesthetically pleasing outcome and can lead to additional surgeries and complications as patients attempt to restore their breast’s appearance.
Risks Associated with Mastectomy
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the breast. There are several risks associated with mastectomy, including:
- Scarring: Mastectomies can cause significant scarring in your chest area and may require skin grafts if donor sites cannot be found for closure. As with any surgery, there is always a risk of scarring.
- Infection: Mastectomies are major surgeries, and as with any surgery, there is always the risk of infection. This increases if you have already undergone radiation therapy as part of your cancer treatment.
- Bleeding: As with any surgery, there is always a risk of bleeding. This can lead to additional surgeries, blood transfusions, and other health complications.
- Numbness: Many women with mastectomies experience numbness in their chest area. This is usually temporary but can be a sign of permanent nerve damage.
- Unsatisfactory Results: Mastectomy may not result in an aesthetically pleasing outcome and can lead to additional surgeries and complications.
Things To Consider Before Getting Breast Implants
Breast implants are a form of plastic surgery that reshapes the breast by inserting an implant, either saline or silicone-based.
There are several things to consider before getting breast implants:
- There Are Risks Associated With Breast Implants: As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infection or complications such as leaking or ruptures in your breast implant. You should also be aware that implants may need to be replaced at some point in the future.
- Breast Implants May Affect Your Ability To Breastfeed: Some women experience difficulty breastfeeding after getting breast implants. This is because the implant can block the milk ducts, making it difficult for your baby to nurse.
- The Cost Of Surgery Varies: The cost of breast implant surgery varies depending on the type of implants you choose, the surgical procedure, and other associated costs. It would be best if you were prepared to pay anywhere from $4000 to $10000 for breast implant surgery. The average cost is around $6000.
If you consider getting breast implants, it is important to weigh all the risks and benefits before making a decision. Talk to your doctor about your options and make sure you understand all the risks associated with surgery.
Endoscopic Breast Augmentation
Endoscopy is a procedure in which an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the tip) is inserted into your body to help diagnose or treat health problems. One should consider the endoscopic approach before getting breast implants.
Benefits of Endoscopic Breast Augmentation
- Reduced Risk Of Complications: Endoscopic surgery involves smaller incisions than traditional breast augmentation, which means there is a reduced risk of complications such as infection or bleeding.
- Less Scarring: The small incisions made during endoscopic surgery result in less scarring, which can make your breasts look a bit more natural.
- Reduced Recovery Time: Endoscopic surgery requires smaller incisions and does not involve the removal of tissue, making recovery time shorter than traditional breast augmentation. However, you should still expect to take at least two weeks off work following endoscopic surgery.