Breast implants: What you should know

On this page

• Things to consider before getting breast implants
• What to ask your surgeon before surgery
• Ongoing follow-up after surgery

Things to consider before getting breast implants

You may be thinking of having a breast implant to increase your breast size, modify the appearance of your breast or replace an existing implant.

Before you decide to get breast implants, you should know:

• the risks and benefits
• that changes to the shape of the breast may be irreversible
• that breast implants are not lifetime devices and will need to be removed or replaced at some point
• that an implant usually lasts 8 to 10 years

Also review our fact sheet on breast implants to help inform your decision.

What to ask your surgeon before surgery

Before you decide to get breast implants, you should ask your surgeon about:

• the cost of the surgery, including:
  • the cost to remove or replace an implant
  • future costs related to treatment of potential implant-related complications
• when a replacement surgery may be required
• the chance of experiencing a tightening of the scar tissue
• the surgeon's credentials and experience with this operation
• the risks and possible side effects associated with the implant
• the reason the surgeon is recommending a particular type of implant
• the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of breast implants
• the number of times the surgeon has seen breast implants rupture, including:
  • how to tell if a rupture has happened
  • what actions are taken after a rupture
• a copy of the breast implant instructions for use and the label for your review and records
  • ingredients used in breast implants are included in the labelling information
• the risks and possible side effects of removing the implants without replacing them

You should also ask about the risks involved with breast implants and the implant surgery, including:

• placement of the implant
• irreversible changes to the breast
• location and appearance of the scar
• time needed to recover from the operation
• potential effects on lactation (producing milk)
• longer-term cosmetic effects, such as wrinkles
• possible side effects after the operation, such as:
  • pain
  • swelling
  • bruising
  • bleeding
  • infection
  • nipple sensitivity
• the surface type of the implant (smooth or textured)
  • this may determine the amount of tightening or hardening of the scar tissue around the breast implant
• how breast implants affect your health care provider's ability to screen for breast cancer
• breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (known as BIA-ALCL)
  • in rare cases, BIA-ALCL has resulted in death

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Consent forms, product registration card and advisory letters

After thoroughly consulting with your surgeon, you should consider the benefits, risks and options carefully before making a decision.

If you decide to have the surgery, you and your surgeon should sign an informed consent form. You should also receive a product registration card from your surgeon with information about the implant(s). Keep a copy of both documents for your records in case there is ever a product advisory or recall. This will help you to find out if you or your implants are affected.

Informed consent form

Signing this form means you:

• agree to the surgery
• have been informed of the procedures and treatments related to the surgery
• understand all the information and have had your questions answered to your satisfaction
• understand the possible complications and risks associated with the implant you have chosen and with the surgery

The completed and signed form is a legal document that lets your surgeon go ahead with the procedure.

Product registration card

Your surgeon will receive 2 implant registration cards from the manufacturer of the implant. The cards contain:

• the name and address of the manufacturer
• a statement advising the patient to notify the manufacturer of any change of address
• a notice that the purpose of the cards is to enable the manufacturer to notify the patient of new information concerning the safety, effectiveness or performance of the implant and any required corrective actions

On the implant registration cards, the surgeon records the:

• date when the device was implanted
• name of the device, control number and identifier
• name and address of the surgeon who performed the implant procedure
• name and address of the health care facility where the procedure took place

The manufacturer receives one card containing the identification number used by the facility to identify the patient. You (the patient) receive the other card with your name and address.

Information letter to support follow-up care

You should ask the surgeon to provide details about the operation in a letter to your family doctor or health care provider. Your doctor will know what signs and symptoms to look for if you experience any health issues following your surgery.

Ongoing follow-up after surgery

After the operation, you should see your surgeon or health care provider if you:

• have concerns
• develop complications
• develop signs or symptoms related to BIA-ALCL, a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that can develop next to the implant
  • in rare cases, BIA-ALCL has resulted in death

The longer you have breast implants, the greater the chances are that you will develop complications. As breast implants aren't designed to last a lifetime, you may need to have them replaced if:

• you have complications
• the size and shape of your breasts change over time

If your implants have ruptured, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment and follow-up options.

Breast implants can make it difficult to get a mammogram, but special x-ray views can be done. Breast implants may also make it harder to breastfeed.

Related links

• Breast implants: Things to consider
• BIA-ALCL data blog