The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for protecting public health by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of medical devices. There are several important things to consider before deciding to undergo breast implant surgery, including understanding your own expectations and reasons for having the surgery. Below are some things the FDA thinks you should consider before undergoing breast augmentation, reconstruction or revision surgery.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices; the longer you have your implants, the more likely it will be for you to have them removed.
The longer you have breast implants, the more likely you are to experience local complications and adverse outcomes.
The most common local complications and adverse outcomes are capsular contracture, reoperation and implant removal. Other complications include rupture or deflation, wrinkling, asymmetry, scarring, pain, and infection at the incision site.
You should assume that you will need to have additional surgeries (reoperations).
Many of the changes to your breast following implantation may be cosmetically undesirable and irreversible.
If you have your implants removed but not replaced, you may experience changes to your natural breasts such as dimpling, puckering, wrinkling, breast tissue loss, or other undesirable cosmetic changes.
If you have breast implants, you will need to monitor your breasts for the rest of your life. If you notice any abnormal changes in your breasts, you will need to see a doctor promptly.
If you have silicone gel-filled breast implants, you will need to undergo periodic MRI examinations in order to detect ruptures that do not cause symptoms (silent ruptures). For early detection of silent rupture, the FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants receive MRI screenings 3 years after they receive a new implant and every 2 years after that. MRI screening for implant rupture is costly and may not be covered by your insurance.
