Ways for Surgeons to Reduce Complications After Breast Augmentation

As with any plasticsurgery, breast augmentation involves some risk of complications although there are many ways to lower the chance or even prevent certain problems.  These are some of the examples:

Reducing Tissue Hardening

This complication, which is also called capsular contracture, is related to bacterial contamination that occurs at the time of breast augmentation surgery.  For this reason, plastic surgeons will make every effort to prevent this from happening.

One of the surgical techniques that prevents capsular contracture is the Keller Funnel in which the doctors use a cone-shaped nylon (where the implants are placed) and then squeeze this so the implants can be inserted into the breast pocket. 

This method can significantly reduce the risk of contamination because the breast implants are introduced into the breast pocket without having to actually touch them.

Meanwhile, some plastic surgeons recommend breast massage after implant surgery because it is believed to prevent the tissue from becoming hard.  However, this should not be performed with teardrop-shaped implants and textured implants.

Reducing Rippling

For patients choosing saline implants, overfilling them can reduce rippling although doing so may void the devices’ warranty.  Another way is to use smooth implants and avoid the textured version, especially the one with “large graininess” which has been attributed to the higher risk of traction wrinkling.

Because women with little amount of breast tissue are at higher risk of visible and palpable rippling, they are generally advised to have silicone breast implants—which are noted for simulating the feel and movement of breast tissue and fat—rather than saline implants.

And to further reduce the risk of rippling, many doctors place the breast implants under the muscle (instead over it) so there will be more coverage especially in the upper half of the breasts.

Reducing Deflation (Only Applicable for Patients with Saline Implants)

Overfilling saline implants, which usually means adding 25cc to 3occ beyond the manufacturer’s recommended amount, can reduce the risk of deflation.  But still, patients who choose this type of implant should keep in mind that natural deflation can still happen due to evaporation and other factors.

According to a study, saline breast implant has a natural deflation rate of 1 percent per year; for this reason, patients with this implant would more likely need revisions sooner than women with silicone implants.

Another advantage of overfilling saline implants is that it can reduce sloshing (which has been said to affect the implant’s stability).

Reducing Nipple Numbness

Reduced or complete loss of sensation in the nipples is one of the most common concerns of breast augmentation patients who are still considering having babies in the future.  This complication happens due to the injury to the nerves at the time of surgery.

To minimize the risk of nipple numbness, plastic surgeons avoid cutting and cauterizing the area nearest the armpit.  Instead, they may gently stretch the tissue apart so there will be enough “breast pocket” for the implants.

By stretching the tissue apart instead of cutting it, there is less risk of nerve damage.  Take note that stretched nerves are less likely to result in permanent numbness in the nipples.

Reducing Downward Displacement of Implants

Downward displacement of the implants, which leads to sagging breasts, is often caused by large, heavy implants.  This problem is more of a concern with saline implants because they are prone to sloshing unlike the silicone version.

It is really hard to tell if someone will experience downward displacement or not because the level of risk is also determined not only by the implant size but also by the breast tissue (flaccid vs firm) and its amount.

In general, women with firmer breasts with a moderate to significant amount of tissue can accommodate larger implants.  By contrast, patients with flaccid breasts are often advised to choose silicone implants filled with 300cc to 350cc to reduce the risk of downward displacement.

Postponing the Need for Revisions

There is no guaranty that breast implants can last a lifetime; for this reason, most patients will likely need revision surgery at some point in their lives.

Teenage patients in particular will need revisions sooner than those who will undergo breast augmentation in their twenties.  Women should remember that breast implants are subjected to the natural wear and tear from daily life’s activities.

According to surveys, most breast augmentation patients wait until they reach their twenties before having the procedure.

Avoiding Less Favorable Cosmetic Outcome

To achieve the most natural result, there is no universal approach because everything depends on the anatomical features (e.g., amount of tissue, chest width, waistline, etc.).  For instance, women who lack breast tissue and fat are generally advised to use silicone implants rather than saline implants.

Women with little breast tissue are not advised to use saline implants because the result is usually breasts that are too round; higher risk of palpable and visible rippling; and unnatural feel.

Also, choosing implants that are too large in relation to the body can result to the “heavy top” look.  Nowadays, the trend is the natural appearance that many plastic surgeons have noticed that more patients are seeking revisions to downsize their breast implants.

Six-Packs Achievable Via Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that uses a pen-like device to suction out the unwanted fats which do not respond to rigorous exercise and diet.  But with the advances in plastic surgery, this treatment is also used to create six-packs abs.

Despite countless of hours in the gym, some people will not achieve the much coveted six-packs because of genetic predisposition.  Also the excess fats in the abdominal area tend to be stubborn that no matter how some individuals perform rigorous exercises, the bulges seem not to go away.

Abdominal etching is a special type of liposuction in which the plastic surgeons use a cannula (pen-like device) that is smaller than the one used during the traditional technique.  With this instrument, doctors strategically remove the excess fats to create grooves which in turn results to the appearance of six-packs.

Usually, doctors create several small incisions (about 1-2mm in length) which can heal quickly without causing visible scars in most cases.

Abdominal etching through liposuction surgery is typically conducted under general anesthesia, though some plastic surgeons prefer using “twilight” anesthesia which can sedate the patients but they will still remain awake.  And as a relatively simply procedure, most patients can return just a few hours following their operation.

Of course, the small incision and removal of excess fats can still lead to pain and discomfort which is the most pronounced during the first to second day following liposuction.  To control this symptom, doctors recommend over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications.

To further minimize the pain, plastic surgeons recommend compression garments wrapped around the abdomen.  By wearing them, the skin will also retract and heal closer to the body and the patients can shorten their recovery.

Ideally, compression garments are worn three to six weeks at all time even during sleep (except when bathing), depending on the surgeon’s instruction.

Because of the swelling, the grooves that create the six-packs abs will not be apparent within the first few weeks.  In most cases, it takes about six months before the patients see the muscular appearance.

But as with any cosmetic surgery, abdominal etching through liposuction has its own limitations and disadvantages.  First and foremost, it cannot create a muscular appearance for patients who are 25 pounds heavier than their ideal weight; another consideration to make is that significant weight fluctuations can totally reverse the result.

Since maintaining normal weight is the most important thing after abdominal etching, plastic surgeons consider a patient’s willingness to stick to a healthier way of life—e.g., regular exercise and moderate diet.

What Areas Can Be Treated with Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction surgery is a body-sculpting procedure in which the excess fats are removed through a hollowed steel tube called cannula.  Meanwhile, this is often used on women who want to treat these body areas:

·         outer and inner thighs

·         buttocks

·         hips

·         waist

·         knees

·         back

·         abdomen

·         breasts

Almost any area with the excess fats can be treated with liposuction although patients should consider that it can only remove the fatty tissues close to the skin.  By contrast, the procedure cannot get rid of the deeper visceral fats (they surround organs in the midsection of the body) that cause weight-related diseases.

In some cases, a procedure will include more than one site, for instance, the back and abdomen all on the same day.  However, most plastic surgeons today limit themselves from collecting 3-4 liters of fats in one session because doing so can increase bleeding and lead to high surgical trauma.

For men, liposuction is often used to treat the body areas stated below:

·         flanks

·         abdomen

·         male breast

The procedure can be very helpful in treating pseudo-gynecomastia, a condition in which the male breasts resemble a female’s because of the excess fats.  In some cases, it is also used to remove fat tumors or lipomas, although it is more commonly applied in cosmetic body countering.

But with the advances in plastic surgery, it has now become possible to perform liposuction to remove the excess fats in the face and neck.  But this should be done carefully because over-liposuction can lead to sagging skin and gaunt appearance—problems that is hard to correct.

Because the face and neck require more precision, these areas have to be treated with cannulas smaller than the ones used when treating the body.  Typically, these hollow pen-like devices have an outside diameter of 2mm or even less, allowing plastic surgeons to enjoy greater control.

Aside from the face and neck, it is also ideal to treat body areas with fibrous fats (such as the male breast) with micro-cannula which can easily pierce through the fatty tissues.  And with this device, there would be less effort in moving it back and forth, much to the convenience of doctors.

Regardless of the treated area, the removed fats will not appear again—unless the patients will gain a significant amount of weight (10 lbs. or more).  For this reason, regular exercise and healthy diet are an important part of maintenance following liposuction surgery.