Breast Augmentation Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a breast augmentation, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Abnormal scarring

• Painful and/or restricted arm and shoulder motion

• Uneven appearance of breasts, either due to position or size

• Implant hardens, ruptures, leaks, or deflates

• Implant may make cancer detection (through mammogram and/or self-exam) more difficult

• Decreased sensation

This is an elective surgery. If you have any illnesses or you are in poor health for any reason, you should not undergo this procedure.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills

• Persistent elevated temperature

• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision site

• Fluid or blood collecting in either breast

• Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital

• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given

• Implants grow hard, or you believe that they are leaking

• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

• Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs

• Joint pain, fatigue, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.