Avoiding severe complications after breast implant surgery
Breast augmentation with implants is a major plastic surgery procedure. It is performed on an elective basis and mostly for aesthetic purposes; however, this doesn’t make it a less serious surgery. Breast implant surgery entails the use of a general anesthetic in a vast majority of cases, and incisions are required to allow the plastic surgeon to insert the implants inside their pockets. Each of these factors is associated with specific complications.
Breast implant surgery is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a talented, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Choosing a good plastic surgeon can help you avoid some of the severe complications; however, there are some risks that will always be there, and the patient also has a role in minimizing these risks.
Among the severe complications that can occur after breast implant surgery are infection, excessive bleeding, and deep vein thrombosis.
To avoid the risk of developing an infection, the patient needs to be very careful to keep the surgical incisions clean and dry at all times. Also, the plastic surgeon can prescribe antibiotics for five days after the surgery. If this is the case, make sure to take the pills according to the doctor’s orders. It is important to avoid infections as they could significantly delay the recovery process, not to mention lead to other life-threatening complications.
When it comes to excessive bleeding, this is also a severe complication that should be avoided at all costs. Generally speaking, excessive bleeding can occur if the patient took anti-inflammatory medication or natural supplements with blood-thinning properties two weeks before the procedure. Excessive bleeding can also be triggered by intense physical activities or lifting heavy objects from the floor, so the patient should be careful and avoid all these factors before and after the surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis is a complication caused by the formation of a blood clot that blocks a vein. This is rare to occur after breast implant surgery, but the risks are increased if the patient is taking birth control pills and stays too much in bed after the procedure. To avoid this complication for high risks patients, the plastic surgeon might even prescribe anticoagulant medication. Make sure to discuss your medical history with the plastic surgeon in detail and also talk about current allergies and medication to allow him to prescribe the medication that will help you avoid severe complications after breast implant surgery.
Generally speaking, following the recommendations of the plastic surgeon to the letter is a sure way to avoid most complications post-op.