There are risks associated with any surgical procedure, and breast augmentation is no exception. However, when performed by an experienced, skilled plastic surgeon who is as committed to the safety of his patients as Dr. Erik J. Miles, breast augmentation is actually one of the safest surgeries in all of medicine. Nevertheless, Dr. Miles is careful to explain breast augmentation risks during consultations at North Charlotte Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He firmly believes that patients must understand every aspect of a procedure before they commit to undergoing surgery.
If you are interested in undergoing breast augmentation, it is important that you understand the risks as well as the benefits. Please contact our Charlotte plastic surgery practice to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Miles today.
Is breast augmentation safe?
Safety is always Dr. Miles’ foremost priority with any surgical procedure, and he screens candidates carefully during consultations to minimize breast augmentation risks at North Charlotte Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
Breast augmentation is the most common surgical cosmetic breast procedure performed in the United States, with 300,000-400,000 breast augmentation procedures performed annually. The surgery does not require deeply invasive surgical maneuvers near vital structures that would potentially place the patient at increased risks.
Prior to any surgery, all patients undergo a thorough medical history screening during the consultation process. In some instances, Dr. Miles may recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery and another mammographic examination several months after surgery, during breast augmentation recovery. This will help to detect any future changes in the breast tissue.
Although there is no scientific evidence that breast augmentation increases the risk of breast cancer, the implants can make it more difficult to take and read mammograms. Placement of the implant underneath the pectoralis major muscle may interfere less with mammography, but other factors should also be considered with regard to implant placement.
Radiologists are now quite adept at reading mammograms after breast augmentation, as there are millions of women who have undergone the procedure. Following breast augmentation, patients should continue performing breast self-examination and routine mammography. Smokers should stop smoking in advance of surgery. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can cause increased bleeding risks and should be avoided prior to surgery. Dr. Miles will provide specific instructions to optimize outcomes. Medical testing and clearance for surgery from other providers is sometimes necessary.
Dr. Miles performs the surgery in the hospital setting under general anesthesia using board certified anesthesiologists. He also works with an experienced and highly qualified team of assistants that have assisted with these procedures for many years. Dr. Miles is a double board certified surgeon who has extensive experience with breast augmentation surgery. Although complications can occur with any procedure, they are very rare with breast augmentation surgery. In rare instances when complications related to this procedure do occur, they are usually minor and can be managed effectively in the office based setting without a return to the operating room.
Despite some misinformation to the contrary, breast implants of any type do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast implants and diseases. Their specific conclusion after numerous exhaustive studies was that “There is no evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases of the whole body. Women are exposed to silicone constantly in their daily lives.” The FDA has accepted the findings of these extensive clinical trials and has approved the use of both silicone and saline breast implants.
Another very important factor related to patient safety is that the procedure should only be performed by a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Surgeons with this qualification have met the highest standards of training and board certification. Dr. Miles has these qualifications.
Learn More about Breast Augmentation Risks
Dr. Miles can help you achieve the results you desire through breast augmentation. To learn more about breast augmentation risks, please contact North Charlotte Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, located in Huntersville, today. You may also call our office at (704) 896-5556. We would be please to assist you in any way that we can!