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Breast reconstruction risks


Risks and limitations:

The most common problem following implant surgery is capsular contraction, a tightening of the scars around the implant. In this situation, a second surgery can be performed to loosen the scar tissue. Other complications associated with breast implants include infection around the implant, necessitating its removal, and leaking, hardening, or shifting of the implant. You should know that implants deteriorate over time and may eventually need to be replaced. With all free flap procedures there is a risk that the blood vessels will not reattach sufficiently, constricting blood flow and causing the death of the flap tissue. Flaps taken from the buttocks can result in a weakened gluteal muscle, and flaps taken from the hips can result in noticeable asymmetry. TRAM flap procedures can result in abdominal hernia, loss of feeling in the skin below the navel, and a permanent weakening of the abdominal muscles. As with any surgery, reconstruction surgery incurs the risk of swelling, bleeding, infection, fluid collection, drug reactions, keloid scarring, and numbness.

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Other important information:
Reconstruction surgery is often performed in combination with breast reduction or a breast lift in order to match the shape of the breasts. An alternative to breast reconstruction surgery is an external breast prosthesis that can restore the outward appearance of the breast without the pain and cost of undergoing surgery.

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