Breast augmentation surgery with implants has been growing in popularity for many years. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has tracked cosmetic surgery statistics since 1997, and during that time the number of women seeking breast enlargement has grown more than 200 percent. In 1997, just over 100,000 women in the U.S. chose the procedure. In 2009, the number was over 311,000.

Breast augmentation is a relatively safe operation. Still, it’s best to understand the potential risks and what you can do to mitigate them.

Surgical Risks

Many of the risks of breast enlargement surgery are common to any kind of operation. Seroma (fluid build up) and hematoma (blood build up) at the surgical site are two potential complications. These can most often be managed without additional surgery. A small number of patients experience infection, which is also usually resolved fairly easily.