Pre-breast surgery considerations: From risks to costs

Are you ready for your change?

Take as much time as you need to make your decision. You should have realistic expectations as to what cosmetic surgery can do, where your limitations are, and what the risks of breast augmentation are. Any operation is exhausting for your body and mind. Trust your surgeon, to determine if you are physically and mentally suitable.

It is quite normal to be nervous before a change such as this. Talk openly with your surgeon about your feelings and clarify all questions in advance. At the same time, you should not feel compelled to undergo plastic surgery just because you had a consultation with a surgeon. You can always decide against it - no pressure.

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What are the costs of breast surgery?

You should never choose plastic surgery to please someone, but only to feel more comfortable with your body. It's about your health - and that's your most valuable asset. Therefore, you should not be tempted by cheap breast surgery costs. If you cannot afford surgery with your preferred surgeon, you should delay moving forward with your plans rather than switching to another surgeon. If you are looking for cheap deals on cosmetic surgery, remember that you should never skimp on safety, your health, or the quality of the surgery. Don't compromise your health - even if the cost of breast surgery is extremely favourable.

What are the risks and possible complications?

At POLYTECH, we are committed to providing patients with comprehensive and clear information. Comprehensive information and education are essential also in early detection of symptoms, which in turn can lead to early treatment and positive prognosis.

As with any surgical procedure, risks are also involved with breast augmentation or reconstruction, and complications may occur. These can include the risks of anesthesia, asymmetry, implant dislocation, increased scarring, sensory disturbances, capsular contracture, infection, seroma, loss of shell integrity. These complications may result in the need for re-operation, or implant removal with or without replacement. You should always discuss the possible risks and outcomes of implant insertion with your physician prior to breast surgery. Surgeons have a duty to illustrate the risks of breast surgery and answer to your questions.

Do breast implants influence the frequency of breast cancer occurrence?

In extensive studies published to date, it was evaluated that women with breast implants are not subject to a higher risk of breast cancer than women without implants.^1-5

Recent publications also mention BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma), a subtype of lymphoma that may arise around breast implants. It is not breast cancer and it is a very rare disease: its incidence is 33 in 1 million over the lifetime of a woman with breast implants,⁸ compared to breast cancer with a lifetime risk of 1 in 8 women (with or without implants).⁸ The reason why it develops is still unknown, but it has become simple to diagnose and possible to treat at an early stage effectively with a good prognosis.^6-7 Based on the current knowledge (February 2019) no type of an implant and no implant surface can be completely exempted from the low risk of being associated with BIA-ALCL.

Any incidence of late seroma developed in implanted breast should be treated with the appropriate medical care. Make sure to have regular checkups with your physician. In case you notice a change in your breast, such as swelling, redness, pain, hardening of the breast, consult your physician immediately.

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Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your surgeon: Pregnancy is a clear contraindication to breast surgery. Breast surgery while breastfeeding is not recommended: you should either interrupt breastfeeding, or schedule your surgery after the breastfeeding period is over.
Breast implants should not affect your future ability to breastfeed. Nevertheless, you should inform your surgeon about your plans at an early stage, to plan the procedure accordingly, as this may affect the choice of implant position.

It is often advisable to postpone a breast augmentation until after a desired pregnancy and consequent breastfeeding have been completed and their effects on the breast tissue have become visible. Even if the changes in your body have no effect on the implants themselves, they can have a lasting effect on the shape of your breasts.

Breast implants do not pose a danger to the health of infants.

Are you under 20?

If you are under 20 years of age and are considering breast augmentation, it is recommended to take your time. For best results, a woman should wait until her breasts are fully developed and then make a decision.

Plan for the future

If you plan to lose weight or become pregnant, it is advisable to postpone your plastic surgery. Although weight changes do not affect the implants themselves, they can alter the way your breasts look.

Do you have health problems?

Cosmetic surgery is stressful for your body and should only be considered if you are in good health. If you suffer from any health concerns that could put you at risk during breast surgery, your surgeon may decide to postpone or even refuse to perform the procedure. Make sure to provide your surgeon with full information on your health, to allow an in-depth assessment of your case.

Sources:

1. American Council On Science And Health (1996) Silicone breast implants: why has science been ignored? (German translation available from POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics GmbH)

2. The report of the independent review group (1998) Silicone breast implants. Crown, London

3. Friis, S., McLaughlin, J.K., Mellemkjaer, L., Kjoller, K.H., Blot, .J., Boice, J.D. Jr., Fraumeni, J.F. Jr., Olsen, J.H. (1997) Breast implants and cancer Risk in Denmark. International Journal of Cancer 71, 956-958

4. Deapen, D.M., Bernstein, L., Brody, G.S., (1997) Are breast implants anticarcinogenic? A 14-year follow-up of the Los Angeles study. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 99, 1346-1353

5. Bryant, H., Brasher, P. (1998) Breast implants and breast cancer – reanalysis of a linkage study. N. Eng. J. Med. 332, 1535-1539

6. Hester, T.R., Ford, N.F., Gale, P.J., Hammett, J.L., Raymond, R., Turnbull, D., Frankos, V.H., Cohen, M.B. (1997) Measurement of 2,4-toluenediamine in urine and serum samples from women with Même or Replicon implants. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 100, 1291ff

7. Food and Drug Adminstration (1995) Department of Health and Human Services Update: study of TDA released from polyurethane foam-covered breast implants. June 27, 1995.

8. Doren, E.L., Miranda, R.N., Selber, J.C., Garvey, P.B., Liu, J., Medeiros, L.J., Butler, C.E., Clemens, M.W. (2017) U.S. Epidemiology of Breast Implant-Associated Large Cell Lymphoma. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 139(5), 1042-1050