How Does Your Life Change After Breast Implants?

Breast augmentation or breast implant surgeries are one of the most common plastic surgeries performed worldwide. Breast implants are fluid- or gel-filled devices that are placed under the breast tissue or chest muscle to change the breast size and shape. They may be done for several reasons including restoring the shape of the breasts after breast cancer surgery.

Many women may opt for the surgery because they think their breasts are too small or not developed (macromastia). Some women go for breast implants because their breasts are naturally asymmetric (unequal in size or shape).

Breast implants may be chosen due to changes in the firmness or size of the breasts due to aging or after childbirth.

There are two popular types of breast implants: saline (salt water) and silicone (gel). Both types come in a variety of sizes. 

Most women choose silicone-filled implants because they feel more natural. However, saline implants are a bit safer because they are easier to detect if ruptured, and the saline is easily absorbed by the body.

Breast implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle. Placement above the muscle reduces recovery time. Placement below the muscle is more common after breast cancer surgery and has lower rates of infection and long-term complications. Disadvantages include abnormal upward movement of the breast tissue when the chest muscle contracts.

Some of the complications of breast implants include:

• Implant rupture
• Capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant that hardens the breast and distorts its shape)
• Breast pain or discomfort
• Changes in skin sensation over the breast and nipples
• Infection
• Bleeding or hematoma formation
• Implant displacement or sagging
• Implant rippling or wrinkling
• Need for additional views during mammograms
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Breast scarring
• Uneven nipple positions
• Need for a repeat or corrective surgery
• Breast implant-associated lymphoma (a type of cancer of the immune system)

Breast implant surgery is quite safe when done by expert surgeons. The first few days after the breast implant surgery are often the most painful:

• Breasts may be swollen and bruised.
• Chest muscles may feel sore.
• Incisions may bleed slightly.

After 1 week, pain and discomfort should subside. Pain medications or over-the-counter acetaminophen may be prescribed for pain relief. After 1-2 weeks, light activities may be resumed, although lifting heavy objects and moving the arms overhead should be avoided.

Even after several weeks, it is normal to experience mild soreness or some bruising. At this point, it is possible to participate in light exercises. However, avoid lifting heavy objects or any other strenuous activities.

The body will be able to fully recover between six and eight weeks after breast implant procedure.

Breast implants, although long-lasting, do not give any permanent results. Your breast implants may sag or change in position as you age or gain significant weight. There may be changes in the appearance of your breasts if you lose weight. Thus, you may need corrective surgery to get the desired look of your breasts after the initial surgery.

When properly taken care of, breast implants generally last anywhere between 10 and 20 years. The risk of breast implant rupture increases by 1% each year after the initial surgery.

If you are not satisfied with the look of your breasts after the implants are placed, you may go for another surgery with implants of a bigger or smaller size or a different material or type.

Proper care can help improve the lifespan of breast implants. This process begins during breast implant recovery and includes:

• Wearing a support garment or surgical bra during recovery
• Getting annual check-ups with your surgeon, as well as performing regular self-checks
• Getting MRI scans 3 years after the initial surgery and then every 2 years after that (for silicone implants)

Breast implant-associated lymphoma, also called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), is a rare but serious complication of breast augmentation. It is not a type of breast cancer but a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a type of cancer of the immune system). It is generally localized to the scar tissue and fluid around the breast implant but may spread to other parts of the body as well.

BIA-ALCL may present as a lump or mass in the breast and breast pain and swelling after the breasts have healed following the surgery. Early detection helps in successfully treating cancer by removing the implant and some tissue around it. Advanced cases may additionally need chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Although there is a lack of enough scientific evidence to recognize it as an illness, some people may report a constellation of generalized symptoms called breast implant illness (BII). BII may occur with any type of breast implant and is also called autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants.

Symptoms of BII may occur any time after the surgery and may present as:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Memory impairment
• Weight changes 
• Rash
• Autoimmune diseases
• Hair loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Gut issues
• Headaches