Breast implant surgery can be very beneficial for women who have had a mastectomy because of breast cancer. For many, breast implants not only restore the appearance of their breast, they also restore their self-esteem and confidence. Breast implants may also be psychologically beneficial for women with visual differences between the breasts, or for women who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts.

Breast implants can pose certain health risks. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is charged with approving and monitoring the safety of breast implant devices, there are several potential complications associated with breast implants. Among the more common complications following breast implant reconstruction surgery is asymmetry (a noticeable difference between the reconstructed breast and the opposite breast). It is also possible to experience tenderness, pain and swelling in the breasts, including the nipple, following surgery. Breast tissue atrophy, calcium deposits that develop around the implant and capsular contracture, in which scar tissue tightens around the implant, are also common side effects of this type of reconstruction.

Perhaps the most common problem of all is rupture or deflation of the implant. An implant that ruptures or tears due to trauma, mammography or normal wear-and-tear allows the contents of the implant (saline or silicone) to leak into the body. In addition to normal aging of the device, there are other factors that may contribute to rupture or deflation of an implant, including:

• Excessive handling during surgery
  
  
• Damage from surgical instruments or procedures (e.g., biopsies)
  
  
• Compression from mammography
  
  
• Improper filling of a saline implant
  
  
• Trauma to the breast area

Physicians can use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with specialized equipment to determine if an implant has become ruptured or has leakage. If a silicone implant ruptures or is leaking, surgery is usually recommended to remove the device. Silicone gel can cause damage to surrounding tissues, such as granulomas (lumps) and it can travel to tissues outside of the immediate area.

Saline implants can also rupture as well as leak through an unsealed or damaged valve. This may be noticed immediately or may not become apparent for months by a loss in size or change of shape of the breast. Additional surgery is recommended to remove the deflated parts of the implant and replace it, if desired by the patient.

Other potential risks of breast implants include:

• Capsular contracture. When an implant is placed in the breast tissue, a lining or "capsule" forms around it. In some patients, the lining can shrink or tighten, placing pressure on the implant. There are several suspected causes of capsular contracture, including bacterial infection of the implant shell. The condition is most likely to occur within the first few months following surgery. The more severe forms of capsular contracture may require additional surgery.
  
  
• Galactorrhea. Milk production is inadvertently stimulated.
  
  
• Hematoma. Swelling, pain and especially bruising may result from a collection of blood around the surgery site.
  
  
• Iatrogenic injury/damage. Excessive handling or possibly damage caused by surgical instruments to the implant.
  
  
• Infection, including toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Infections are not uncommon following any surgical procedure. However an infection that does not respond to antibiotics may force the removal of the implant until the infection has been successfully treated. In rare cases, TSS can create a life-threatening bacterial infection within the body that can lead to amputation or death. Any patient experiencing sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness or a sunburn-like rash should seek immediate medical attention.
  
  
• Malposition/displacement. Any of a number of reasons can cause the implant to shift, including poor initial placement, trauma or capsular contracture.
  
  
• Necrosis. Dead tissue around the implant, which, in turn, can lead to infection. The dead tissue can be caused by smoking, chemotherapy, radiation, excessive heat or cold therapy or the use of steroids.
  
  
• Nipple/breast sensation changes. These changes (e.g., numbness, pain, hardness, over sensitivity) in the sensitivity of the breast and nipple can range from mild to severe and from temporary to permanent.
  
  
• Palpability/visibility. The implant is said to be palpable when it can be felt through the skin and visible when it can be seen through skin.
  
  
• Ptosis. This undesirable cosmetic result is a sagging or drooping of the breast.
  
  
• Scarring. All incisions heal by forming a scar, but the degree will vary from patient to patient.
  
  
• Seroma. The watery portion of blood pools around the implant or at the site of the incision, causing swelling, pain and possibly bruising. While it may heal on its own, if it does not, a drain may need to be inserted.
  
  
• Unsatisfactory style/size. The end result can, at times, be cosmetically or aesthetically displeasing to the patient or physician. 
  
  
• Wrinkling or rippling. At times, the implant can wrinkle or have ripples that are noticeable through the skin.