Breast Lift Surgery Risks and Complications
Although there are many benefits to breast lift surgery, there are also a number of risks involved, which should be carefully considered before you make the decision whether or not to go ahead.
Risks include swelling, bruising, infection, scarring, loss of nipple sensation, nerve damage, asymmetry, interference with breast-feeding and reaction to general anaesthetic. If you have also had breast implants then additional complications can include: capsular contracture, rippling, displacement, rupturing and leakage. Breast implants can also interfere with mammogram results and some women report difficulty with breast-feeding. The risk of these complications occurring can be minimised by carefully picking your surgeon, following the post surgery recovery instructions and the type of implant you choose.
Swelling is very common following any breast lift surgery. It can take three to five weeks to go completely and wearing your recommended supportive surgical garments will help.
Bruising is fairly common after any surgery although not everyone will experience it. The amount of bruising you get will depend on how your surgery is performed and varies from person to person. While bruising is usually very minimal, if you have any large, firm, painful areas of bruising, contact your surgeon immediately as there is the possibility of developing a hematoma, which is a more serious type of bruise that will need treatment. However normal bruising should subside in one to two weeks.
Infection can occur with any type of surgery. It usually happens within one to six weeks of surgery. In the majority of cases an infection can just be treated with antibiotics. If you have also had implants and contract a serious infection, they may need to be removed. Symptoms of infection include fever as well as severe tenderness, redness, and swelling. To avoid getting an infection, make sure you keep the area around your stitches clean and avoid putting creams or deodorants near it. You should also not submerge yourself in a bath or swimming pool during the recovery period.
Scarring will occur with any kind of surgery. The locations of your scars will depend on the technique used by your surgeon. Your scars will be firm and pink for approximately six weeks and will fade over the next few months but never disappear completely. Various topical medications are available to help minimise the appearance of scars.
Nipple sensation can be affected by breast lift surgery. Increased sensitivity or numbness/loss of sensation in the nipples can be a permanent side effect. It is important to remember that this is very common as a temporary side effect as the nerves that bring sensation to the breast are severed during surgery. It may take several months for these nerves to regenerate and for sensation to return. There is a higher risk of permanent sensation loss when significant repositioning of the nipple is necessary.
Asymmetry of the breast is another possible complication. Because everyone heals differently, some women will experience small differences in the size or shape of breasts after breast lift surgery. Asymmetrical nipple placement may also be apparent after surgery. Breast asymmetry is one of the most common risks of breast lift surgery and in most cases, is minor. However, if the asymmetry is extreme, it can be revised through an additional surgery.
Interference with breastfeeding has long been thought to be one of the risks of breast lift surgery. However, because the milk glands are not separated from the nipple during the procedure, breastfeeding is typically not affected. Great care is taken to preserve the milk ducts during nipple repositioning and only in rare cases are the ducts affected.
There is also always a risk associated with undergoing general anaesthetic. You can experience side effects from anaesthesia, such as a sore throat, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shivering, or muscle pain but these are usually temporary. It is very important that you let your surgeon know if you have experienced any reactions to anaesthesia in the past.
Serious side effects and complications with breast lift surgery are very unusual, however it is important to remember that if you do suffer complications you may require additional surgery to repair the damage.
