Eglė Virbickaitė, a plastic and reconstructive surgery doctor at Nordclinic, a leading private surgical clinic in the Baltic countries in the fields of orthopedics, bariatrics and plastic surgery, answers the most frequently asked questions of surgeons about breast implants.
Is it possible to feed with implants?
It is not uncommon for women who are planning a pregnancy in the future to be interested in whether it is possible to feed a baby with breast implants. According to E. Virbickaitė, feeding is definitely possible, and women rarely face feeding problems arising from implants. However, there are some critical factors that should be discussed with your surgeon if you plan to become pregnant after surgery.
“The location of the surgical incision can affect breastfeeding. If the incisions are made under the breast or in the armpit, there is less risk of damaging the milk ducts or nerves important for lactation. And incisions around the nipple (periareolar) can damage the ducts more, which sometimes causes problems to breastfeed, says the surgeon. “If there is scar tissue in the breast or nipple or there is a change in the sensitivity of these areas, this can also affect the ability to feed the baby.”
The type of implant – silicone or saline – usually has no effect on nutrition. However, extra large implants can put additional pressure on the breast tissue, which may affect milk production.
Do breast implants cause cancer?
One of the most common fears expressed by patients is the risk of cancer. BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma) is a rare form of cancer that can occur in women who have breast implants. According to E. Virbickaitė, the exact reason why this cancer appears cannot be said. This may depend on genetic factors or the body’s response to the implant as a foreign body, as well as on the implants themselves.
“Textured implants may actually increase the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma more than implants with a smooth surface. This is because the uneven, textured surface of the implant irritates the breast tissue. There have been cases where various textured implants have been withdrawn from the market due to this risk alone. However, no cases of BIA-ALCL with smooth surface implants have been registered yet,” says the surgeon.
According to the doctor, the most important thing in order to avoid the risk of BIA-ALCL is regular checkups, an ultrasound examination or magnetic resonance imaging once a year.
How often should breast implants be replaced?
E. Virbickaitė points out that breast implants are not designed for life, so women with implants should understand that more than one operation may await them in the future. Normally, implants last about 10-20 years, but after how long they will have to be replaced depends on various reasons. For example, breasts can change over time due to aging, weight changes, or pregnancy. This may eventually require replacement implants or a breast lift. However, implant replacement may also be necessary in health-threatening circumstances, such as complications.
Breast implant operations, like any other surgical procedure, can have their own risks and complications, which are divided into general and specific. Common complications include infections, wound healing problems, bleeding, hypertrophic or keloid scars, and seromas.
If bleeding into the implant site begins during the operation, it is necessary to stop the bleeding immediately and clean the hematoma to prevent infection. And if the infection is still there, antibiotics are prescribed, but it may be necessary to remove the implant until the infection is completely cured. It happens that pathological scars appear at the site of the operation. In this case, injections are given to the scars, but often an additional operation is needed to remove the old scar.
“Specific complications are more related to the implants themselves. For example, ruptures of implants, contractures of the implant capsule, breast asymmetry, changes in the position of implants, breast tissue atrophy and wrinkling of the implant, changes in nipple sensitivity. In most cases, complications require additional operations,” adds the doctor.
Women with implants should also constantly monitor for induration not only in the breasts, but also in the armpits, swelling, skin rash or breast asymmetry that was not there before. If such changes are observed, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and perform a biopsy, computed tomography or positron emission tomography. With implants, routine breast x-rays are not appropriate.
2024-08-28 18:08:31