Breast augementation can be performed for cosmetic reasons or for medical reasons including restoring breast size following a mastectomy for breast cancer.

Because breast implant surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic it carries the same risks as other invasive surgical procedures. There is therefore a small risk of infection. If the infection cannot be successfully treated with antibiotics the implant will probably need to be removed and replaced.

Seroma

The risk of infection is higher if a large haematoma (collection of blood) or seroma (collection of watery fluid) is present immediately after surgery. The body is able to absorb small haematomas or seromas but may need the help of a surgical drain to remove larger ones. Surgical draining can also increase the risk of deflation or rupturing.

Capsular Contracture

This occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around the breast implant begins to shrink causing the implant to harden and sometimes deform. It is estimated to occur in around one in 10 women after surgery and requires further surgery to remove and replace the implant.

Ruptured Implants

This occurs when a breast implant splits or tears. The obvious risk from ruptured implants is that the contents of the implant will escape from the shell into the breast and cause siliconomas which in turn cause tenderness or pain in the breast. If this happens the implant needs to be taken out.

What you should do next

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You will be put through to a member of our personal injury team who will speak to you in more detail about all aspects of your claim and let you know what documents you may need to provide to move forward in your claim, should you decide to proceed. It is helpful to the claims process if  you can provide us with as much information as possible, including reports of any medical treatment you had as a result of the injury.