The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 1999 study of silicone breast implant safety found that local complications with silicone breast implants were the primary safety issue, that they have not been well studied, and that information on these complications is crucial for women deciding whether or not they want breast implant surgery. 1
There are risks or complications associated with any surgical -procedure, such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, and there are complications specific to breast implants. These complications and others are described below.
1. CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant. There are four grades of capsular contracture: Baker Grades I – IV.
The Baker grading is as follows
Grade I - breast normally soft and looks natural
Grade II - breast little firm and looks normal
Grade III - breast firm and looks abnormal (visible distortion)
Grade IV - breast hard, painful and looks abnormal (greater distortion)
Correction of capsular contracture ranges from surgical removal of the implant capsule tissue to removal (and possible replacement) of the implant itself. Capsular contracture may happen again after this additional surgery.