General breast implant risks continued - rippling
and other risks
Breast Implant Rippling
This is more of a cosmetic risk but is one of the complaints most
likely to cause dissatisfaction with the procedure. Saline implants, much
more so that silicone implants, can ripple to a degree that is palpable to the touch and
visible in some cases.
Rippling looks like someone had their fingers on the breast and left
indentations. It is not a permanent rippling in most cases but a ripple occasionally as
the implant moves and literally ripples, giving the skin a wave-like appearance instead of
the smoothness you see in a normal breast. Many women can feel a degree of rippling
along the bottom of the implant that is not visible.
According to a survey commissioned by implant manufacturers in 1994,
of the women that were dissatisfied with their implants, 12% were dissatisfied with them
because of rippling (the largest complaint was that they were two small
(18%)). Visible rippling is more likely to occur if implants are placed
above the muscle, especially in women with little or no tissue coverage. Textured
implants may increase this risk in above muscle placement because of the way tissue
adheres to the textured surface. Women with severe rippling may be candidates for
the use of silicone implants, which are less likely to cause visible rippling.
Other Risks for Breast Augmentation Patients
Other known risks include the possible need for additional
surgeries, infection at the site of implant, hematoma (blood that collects and needs to be
drained) and delayed wound healing. You should not expect the implants to last a lifetime.
Even the package insert will tell you that these should not be considered lifetime
devices.
Implant longevity is discussed at length in the IOM report linked to
in my Resources section. However, since I launched this site nearly two years ago,
I have heard from women who have had implants for 25 years and those who had to have them
redone after a problem which occurred much sooner than five years. Just be sure you can
accept the fact that another surgery is likely at some point in the future.
Smoking
Smoking may interfere with the healing process. Necrosis, or death
of tissue near the implant, can occur in anyone with implants. However, smokers a much
higher risk of this, according to the manufacturers' study findings.
