If an infection occurs, antibiotics alone will rarely clear up the infection unless the implant is removed. It is necessary to leave the implant out for a period of about three months before it is safe to attempt replacement. While it is usually confined to the early post op period, infection from mycobacteria can occur much later. Another potentially serious complication is implant rejection. Silicone is the least reactive material used for implant construction.
Most patients tolerate the material without difficulty.
Nevertheless, a very small percentage will react to the material making successful augmentation an impossibility. Fortunately, this is a very uncommon problem. Sensory changes can occur resulting in numbness or discomfort, and while these symptoms are usually not long-standing or severe, they can be in some cases. Implants could possibly interfere with nursing although many patients nurse after the operation without difficulty. No studies to date have indicated that this is likely.