Why UK Plastic Surgeons Are Calling for a Ban on Breast Filler

In the UK, plastic surgeons are pushing for a ban on breast filler — and for good reason. They're dealing with the same problem we have here in the United States: poorly trained personnel injecting various substances into breasts for a so-called non-surgical breast augmentation. Let's talk about why this is a bad idea and why UK surgeons are coming out strongly against it.

The breast is obviously a unique area of a woman's body, and the chance of developing breast cancer in your lifetime is relatively high — it's one of the more common cancers women face. The reason we're so successful at treating breast cancer is that we're really good at catching it early, and catching it early means getting your breast screening with a mammogram.

Anytime we do something to the breast, we run the risk of creating something that shows up on mammogram that either masquerades as a cancer or — even scarier — hides one.

The breast is also a unique area to inject and operate on because there's a natural microbiome within the tissue. As you cut through breast tissue, it's not sterile. The ductal system is open through the nipple, so there's bacteria present. When you're injecting something throughout the breast, you have a decently high risk of exposing whatever you're using to bacteria.

This can lead to all sorts of problems. Infection — in particular, abscesses — is a huge concern. Infections lead to inflammation and scarring, which can mask tumors on mammography.

If filler is injected into the breast, in addition to potentially causing an abscess or masking a breast cancer, it can:

• Migrate from the injection site
• Encapsulate and form hard lumps
• Cause pain and ongoing problems
• Be deforming to remove — just like the actual lumps of filler can be

The main issue with these non-surgical breast augmentations is that the majority of people performing them aren't surgeons. They're people in med spas who are not properly trained, don't understand breast anatomy, and certainly can't manage the complications.

I always understand the appeal of something non-surgical or minimally invasive, but in this situation, it's not only unsafe because it hasn't been studied — it's being done by people who have no business performing a procedure in the breast.

I absolutely agree with UK plastic surgeons. I hate this trend of injecting things into the breast that don't belong there. As someone who treats cancer patients, that always needs to be at the back of your mind when you're operating on a breast.

If you're considering breast augmentation, please see a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the anatomy and can manage any complications.