Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction

Risks include swelling, bruising, infection, scarring, loss of nipple sensation, nerve damage, asymmetry, uneven nipple height, interference with breast-feeding and reaction to general anaesthetic.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 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.

Loss of or increased nipple sensation is one of the most common side effects of breast reduction surgery and can be permanent, especially if the areola has been removed and then grafted. Although grafting the areola places the nipple in the correct position aesthetically, the detachment from the breast tissue may cause a loss of sensation in the nipples. It is important to discuss this risk with you surgeon when deciding which type of reduction technique is used. It is important to remember that temporary loss of feeling is very common 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 following surgery, although this is rare. Because everyone heals differently, some women will experience small differences in the size or shape of breasts after breast reduction surgery. Asymmetrical nipple placement may also be apparent after surgery. In most cases the asymmetry is minor however, if the asymmetry is extreme, it can be revised through an additional surgery. Although very uncommon there is the possibility of significantly asymmetrical breasts after surgery. It is important to note that most breasts are not completely symmetrical so you will not need to have additional surgery if the difference in size and shape is only slight.

Uneven nipple height is another possible complication. This is because in some breast reduction techniques, the nipple and areola will be removed and grafted back on the breast. In other instances, the nipple will remain intact, but the breast skin will be altered to fit the smaller sized breasts. In both methods of breast reduction, there are risks that the nipples and areolas will become uneven between breasts.

Interference with breastfeeding is another common side effect of breast reduction surgery so you are advised to wait, if possible, until after you have finished having children. The risk varies depending on the surgical technique used for your breast reduction. Traditional anchor breast reduction surgery increases risks affecting the ability to breastfeed. During this type of breast reduction, many of the milk ducts are removed during surgery, making it more difficult to breastfeed in the future. Women that have the vertical incision breast reductions have a greater chance to be able to breastfeed since at least a portion of the nipple will remain connected to milk ducts during this mammaplasty procedure. Breastfeeding breast reduction risks are often avoided if the patient has more fat tissue than glandular tissue and breast reduction through liposuction is utilised (known as the scar-less technique). This breast reduction technique leaves the glandular and connective tissue largely untouched.

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 reduction 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.

Talk to one of our plastic surgeons today at one of their clinics around the U.K who can advise you on the best breast reduction options for you.

is a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, however, as with all surgeries, there are risks, which should be carefully considered before you make the decision whether or not to go ahead.