Breast implantsComplications of breast implants

Breast implants | Complications of breast implants | Health Library | NHS Inform

1. Introduction
2. Why breast implants might be necessary
3. When breast implants should be considered
4. Considerations
5. How breast implant surgery is performed
6. Results
7. Recovering after surgery
8. Complications of breast implants

• After having breast implant surgery, about 30% of women will require further surgery within 10 years of their initial operation.

• Additional surgery may be needed as a result of complications such as capsular contracture (hardening of the scar capsule around the implant, see below), age-related changes to the breast or the shell of the implant rupturing (splitting).

• All forms of surgery carry some degree of risk. Complications that can affect anyone who has surgery include: an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic excessive bleeding risk of infection developing blood clots (where the blood thickens to form solid lumps)

• There are also a number of complications that are specifically associated with breast implant surgery. Some of these are discussed below.