What are some of the complications associated with breast implant surgery?
The normal surgical risks apply: bleeding, infection, scarring, anesthesia reactions, and others. (see Problems of Surgery). In addition to these, firmness of the breasts can occur due to a phenomenon known as capsular contracture around the implant. This firmness can sometimes be severe enough to warrant surgical correction. Saline implants may deflate. Q: Does an implant cause or prevent detection of cancer? A: Breast implants are not known to cause, but may delay detection of breast cancer. Self-examination should be performed once a month about a week after your period, when the breasts are usually not tender or swollen. This is recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) whether or not a woman has breast implants. Also, according to ACS recommendations, mammography should be performed once between the ages of 35 and 40, and every one to two years between the ages of 40 and 49, and every year after age 50. These recommendations are the same whether or not there are breast impl
