Dr. Tong Hai, Head of the Department of Micro-surgery and Reconstruction at the National Burn Hospital in Hanoi, stated that an increasing number of women are seeking breast augmentation.
The typical demographic for breast implants is young women aged 18-35, primarily for cosmetic purposes. In some cases, parents actively take their daughters, who have just graduated from high school, for breast augmentation to boost their confidence in life.
The type of implant used for breast augmentation is a gel silicone implant, which is very sturdy and durable, while saline implants are only used in skin expansion surgeries. Therefore, Dr. Hai notes that most cases of ruptured implants are due to strong external forces impacting the chest area, such as falls, accidents, or blunt force trauma, which can occur once or multiple times, or from sharp objects penetrating the chest.
Dr. Tong Hai advises that after breast augmentation, women should have regular check-ups every five years. (Photo: N.K).
“Another cause that can lead to breast implant rupture is capsular contracture. When an implant is placed, the body forms a thin capsule around it to create a stable pocket. Due to reasons such as bleeding, hematoma, inflammation, allergic reactions, or strong impacts, this capsule can thicken and harden, gradually constricting and deforming the breast. If the capsule becomes too thick and tight, it can distort the silicone implant, potentially leading to rupture,” the expert explained.
When a rupture occurs, silicone gel leaks slowly out of the implant, which may still remain in the implant pocket or infiltrate the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation and hardening around the area.
In reality, there is no evidence that flying causes breast implants to rupture, as many people speculate. Activities such as squeezing, impact, or falling can affect the implants if squeezed too hard, or if the chest strikes a hard object…
Dr. Hai also emphasized that all materials implanted in the body have a limited lifespan. Based on research regarding breast implants, professionals recommend that implants should be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
Some late complications that may occur after implant placement include capsular contracture (leading to breast deformation, asymmetry, irregularity, and pain), difficulties in breastfeeding or reduced milk production, loss of nipple sensation, late allergies, hypertrophic or keloid scarring (thickened, painful, itchy), and secondary bleeding due to impact (causing bruising and infection).
Breast implants.
Therefore, after breast augmentation, women should ensure they have regular check-ups every five years. When considering breast augmentation, women need to receive clear guidance on the types of implant materials, surgical methods (incision location, implant placement…), the qualifications and experience of the surgeon, the licensed facility for cosmetic surgery, post-operative care, warranty, potential complications, management strategies, and costs.
For breast augmentation, women can also opt for other methods such as autologous fat injections, using breast implants, or micro-surgical flap surgery in cases of breast tissue loss due to mastectomy…
“It is particularly important to note that women should not be tempted by low prices or advertisements promoting filler injections for breast augmentation. Filler injections provide quick results but are only suitable for small areas such as the nose, chin, cheeks, lips, and ears, and are not appropriate for augmenting breasts or buttocks,” Dr. Hai stressed.
