According to a recently released report by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, about 355,671 women had undergone cosmetic breast surgery in 2008only. Breast surgery is now the most common type of cosmetic surgery performed in the USA with the result of success depending on the medical practice of the surgeon.

The number one reason women chose to have breast implants is to feel better about themselves and boost their self-image. Reconstruction of breast material lost due to mastectomy or genetic deformities also falls into this category. Regardless of the personal basis for a breast implant, all breast implant surgeries are considered cosmetic.

Women most likely to choose breast implants have certain characteristics: a slender build; under the height of 5’4″; and below the age of 40 (86%).

The four influential purposes for breast implants are:

· Primary reconstruction to replace breast tissue destroyed by cancer, trauma or severe breast abnormality
· Revision-reconstruction to correct or improve a prior reconstruction surgery
· Primary augmentation to enlarge the breast size
· Revision-augmentation to correct or improve a prior augmentation surgery

Of the three types of breast implants currently on the market, saline and silicone implants are most frequently chosen, while breast implants of alternate material are rarely used. There are options where the incision for the breast implants is located. A transaxillary incision is under the arm, a periareolar incision is around the nipple and an inframammary incision is along the fold underneath the breast. The transaxillary and inframammary incisions are less concealed than the periareolar, but considered to have a higher likelihood of successful breast feeding. In addition, breast implants can be placed either on top of the muscle or underneath.

Breast implants have a history dating back to 1895, albeit not always with desirable results. Unfortunately, that trend continues today. There are dangers associated with breast implants. A list of the common risks includes:

– Infection
– Wound healing delay
– Hematoma
– Bleeding
– Excessive scarring
– Capsular contracture
– Calcium deposits
– Asymmetry
– Visible wrinkling
– Breast tissue thinning
– Disruption of the natural flat surface between the breasts
– Neuroma
– Nipple sensation changes
– Breast sensation changes
– Deflation
– Rupture
– Leakage
– Swelling
– Burning
– Tenderness
– Increased difficulty in detecting breast cancer
– Additional surgeries to replace or remove breast implants
– Anesthesia reaction

Some of the above perils may be the result of the plastic surgeon inserting too large an implant into the breast capsule, damaging the skin’s outer layers or his or her inexperience. Breast implant medical errors can leave a women suffering years of pain, emotional trauma and repeated surgeries to attempt to reverse the medical error. Some women never recover a “normal” appearance and are left with horrendous scarring.

If you have concerns about your breast implant surgery, it is advisable to seek an experienced medical malpractice attorney’s opinion as soon as possible.