There can be complications, however rare, that need immediate attention. Sometimes scar tissue forms around the implant and contracts making one or both breasts appear unnaturally firm, uneven and possibly painful. To minimize this process, daily breast massage will be prescribed. The patient should also be alert to any unusual bleeding within the surgical area which will produce swelling, discomfort and/or asymmetry. Keeping postoperative office visits will help minimize the occurrence of any unwanted conditions. Long term, leakage of the implant is not uncommon and is simple to correct. This situation is visually obvious and can be quickly diagnosed. The saline poses no medical hazard and is quickly absorbed by the body. The implant can also shift from its original position. The patient should report any changes to the surgeon so the problem can be corrected or the implant surgically replaced.

Approximately, one-third of patients will experience some numbness of their breasts postoperatively. Should this occur, most will recover but may take several months. Permanent numbness remains in only one out of a hundred patients.

Over the past several years, breast augmentation surgery, particularly the use of silicone implants, has been brought into the legal system. Although silicone implants have been banned for cosmetic use, they can be used under certain circumstances such as women who have had failed saline implants or complications from saline implants. Silicone gel implants are also allowed to be used for reconstruction. In spite of the public's concern, extensive scientific studies, to date, have not shown any link between silicone implants and disease. The saline implant contains physiologic salt water encased in a silicone shell, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for breast augmentation surgery.

No matter the type of implant however, any implant can impede early detection of breast cancer with conventional mammography. Depending on the way the mammogram is performed, there can be a 25-35% decrease in the visible areas of the breast tissue. The view may also be limited by scarring around the implant, which also affects compression. The radiologist should be informed if a patient has had a breast augmentation so that appropriate modification(s) to the screening procedure can be made. As opposed to the two-view screening mammogram, a multiple view diagnostic mammogram is satisfactory in detecting early chances of breast cancer.

Women should also keep in mind that implants are man-made prosthetics and have a shelf-life which involves wear and tear on them. There is a fair chance they will have to be replaced once or even twice depending on the age of the woman when she receives the implants.

Also, because the body perceives your implants as foreign bodies, it will be necessary to use antibiotics with teeth cleaning, dental or surgical procedures. Infection in the implant can cause scarring, hardening and contracture.