Has Anyone Died During Breast Augmentation Surgery

FDA-approved breast implants undergo extensive testing to demonstrate reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. The vast majority of people with breast implants experience no serious complications. However, there are risks associated with breast implants, including breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) and systemic symptoms commonly referred to as breast implant illness (BII) that some patients attribute to their implants, which can include fatigue, “brain fog,” muscle or joint pain and rash. In the event any complication develops, patients should consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to address it in a timely manner. Likewise, if a patient desires to have breast implants removed – for any reason – she should consult her plastic surgeon.

In this post, you’ll read about breast augmentation success rate and breast augmentation death rate.

Although breast implants don’t actually expire, they aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. The average saline or silicone implants may last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

However, many are removed sooner due to complications or cosmetic concerns. Up to 20 percent of people have their implants removed or replaced within 8 to 10 years.

Wondering if it’s time to have yours replaced? Read on to find out symptoms to watch for, what you can expect from removal, and more.

The following complications may necessitate breast implant removal.

Hardening

Many peopleTrusted Source develop capsular contracture, or hardened scar tissue around one or both implants.

This can also cause tightness, pain, tenderness, and abnormal cosmetic changes to the breast.

In some cases, hardening may happen more than once to the same breast.

Saline rupture (leakage and deflation)

If a saline breast implant ruptures because of a tear or hole in the implant’s shell, it will begin to deflate like a balloon.

The saline in your implant will leak out and get reabsorbed by your body. This leak can happen all at once or slowly over the course of a few days.

The deflation may not become obvious until all of the saline leaks out. The affected breast will lose its size and shape and look dramatically different from your other breast.

Breast implant ruptures are rareTrusted Source in the first few years, but the risk does increase over time.

Silicone rupture (silent rupture)

Silicone implants can also rupture.

Silicone gel is much thicker than saline. When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel will often stay inside the implant or surrounding scar tissue.

Because of this, ruptured silicone implants often go unnoticed. That’s why silicone ruptures are also known as silent ruptures.

Most peopleTrusted Source don’t experience any symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include:

  • decreased breast size
  • hard knots
  • an uneven appearance of the breasts
  • pain or tenderness
  • tingling
  • swelling
  • numbness
  • burning
  • changes in sensation

Although the exact rate of silicone rupture is unknown, it’s estimated to be somewhere between 2 and 12 percentTrusted Source.

Some implants rupture immediately, some after several years, and others after 10 years or more.

Rippling and palpability

Rippling occurs when the implant develops wrinkles or ripples. Palpability refers to the ability to feel these ripples when you touch your breast. In some cases, these changes can also be seen through the skin.

If you see or feel wrinkling in your implant, you may want to consider replacing or removing it.

Change in position

Breast implants don’t prevent your breasts from sagging as you age. Gravity is still going to take its toll. Weight gain and loss can also cause stretching and sagging of the breasts.

You may also notice that one breast hangs lower than the other, or that your nipples point in different directions than before.

If you’re bothered by these changes, getting a breast lift or implant replacement may help return your breasts to their previous appearance.

What to expect with implant removal

Any qualified plastic surgeon can remove your breast implants. It doesn’t need to be the same surgeon who did your first surgery.

During an initial consultation, the surgeon you choose will evaluate the state of your current implants and discuss your surgical options.

Depending on your preferences, your surgeon can do any of the following:

  • implant removal alone
  • implant removal and breast lift
  • removal of hardened or lumpy tissue
  • implant replacement with or without breast lift

Sometimes, implant removal alone can lead to cosmetic abnormalities. This includes:

  • deflation
  • sagging
  • dimpling
  • asymmetry

As a result, your doctor can suggest getting new implants that are a different size or form for you.

You might be able to go home the day after your surgery, depending on the particulars of your procedure. Everyone’s recovery period is different.

Many people are able to resume working in about five days, but it’ll be about six weeks until you can resume strenuous activities like exercising and lifting.

Following all postoperative instructions can help improve your healing time and prevent infection.

What to expect with implant replacement

Implant replacement is a procedure in which your doctor switches out your implants for a newer model. Whether you stick to the same type, size, and shape is up to you,

The procedure may also be combined with a breast lift or scar tissue removal.

How to increase implant longevity

One of the most commonlyTrusted Source cited reasons for removal is unhappiness with the implant size and shape.

A person’s tastes evolve naturally over the course of a lifetime. Selecting a size and shape that you think you can live with for ten to twenty years is one of the best methods to extend the life of your implants.

In other cases, local complications are to blame. Ruptures and deflations, for example, oftenTrusted Source result from normal wear and tear or surgical error.

For the best outcomes:

  • Choose your surgeon carefully.
  • Follow all postoperative instructions.
  • Get regular MRIs to check for silicone ruptures.

Breast Augmentation Success Rate

According to one study involving 225 women who returned for interviews a month after getting breast implants, 98% of them were satisfied with the results.

Nevertheless, every procedure comes with benefits and risks. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about whether getting breast implants is right for you.

Breast Augmentation Death Rate

According to researchers, women who get cosmetic surgery to enlarge their breasts may be more likely to develop breast cancer.

Women with breast implants had a 38% higher risk of dying from the condition than women without, according to a study of data spanning the past 20 years. Although there is no proof that breast implants cause cancer, their presence may conceal developing tumors when women receive mammograms for X-ray screening, making it more advanced when cancer is discovered.

The bottom line

The longevity of implants is not assured. For a number of reasons, you could need to have them taken out or replaced. Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon and adhering to all postoperative guidelines are the greatest ways to assure their lifetime.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top