Influence of breast implants on the quality of a mammography | Breast Implants

Influence of breast implants on the quality of a mammography

Studies have shown that breast implants may make early diagnosis of breast cancer more difficult. In particular, implants placed subglandularly (under the mammary gland) cast a radiation shadow on the gland during mammography. In addition, breast implants can make the necessary compression, which is a prerequisite for breast examination, considerably more difficult. Due to this impaired early diagnosis of breast cancer, breast cancer mortality in such patients may be increased.

How often can breast implants be changed?

If the desire for more naturalness arises or if patients wish for further changes to their breast shape, the breast implants must be removed. There are also medical reasons that make it necessary to change breast implants. These include unfavourable implant positions in front of or above the breast muscle and so-called capsule fibrosis (see below). In addition, diseases of the breast and damage to the implant itself may make it necessary to change or remove implants in the breast. The frequency of changing implants is not limited to a certain number, but the surgical procedure must be performed by an experienced plastic and aesthetic surgeon.

What should be considered during the change operation?

Breast implants are changed under general anaesthesia, using the existing scar in the underbust crease as the access point. In this way, it is avoided that new scars form on new skin areas. For medical reasons, it is often advisable to create a new implant site.

This involves forming a new implant pocket for the new breast implant in front of or behind the breast muscle. A subsequent breast lift is particularly recommended in cases of age-related slackening of connective tissue. Depending on the extent, the procedure can take between 2-4 hours.

After the procedure, the patient must wear a special bra for the first few weeks and avoid heavy physical strain. After about 1 to 2 weeks, she can perform light professional activities, and after about 6 weeks, she can resume sports activities. For optimal scar-free healing of the access site, direct UV radiation should be avoided for six months.

How are breast implants removed?

The removal of breast implants can be performed under general anesthesia as well as under local anesthesia. Normally, the patient is admitted to hospital for 1 or 2 days and the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Preferably, the implant is removed via the original interface in the underbust crease, so that no new scars are created.

During the operation, care is taken to remove the implants completely and undamaged and to create as few new scars as possible. The duration of this operation is between 2 and 4 hours, whereby this is associated with considerably greater effort than the initial breast augmentation or the implantation of the breast implants. The removal often leaves an excess of skin. In such a case, a breast lift is also performed as part of the implant removal. After the operation, the healing time is approximately two weeks.