Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction Complications and Risks to Keep in Mind

Although risks are to be expected with any surgery, the more complicated the surgery, the greater the chance of possible complications. Breast reduction mammoplasty surgery is no exception, and you should know what breast reduction complications to look out for.

General Plastic Surgery Risks and Complications and Risks

There are several risks of plastic surgery. There could be an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. General anesthesia is considered to be more risky, yet any anesthetic could bring on a negative reaction. Negative reactions to medications may also be an issue, so watch for sudden rashes, difficulty breathing, increased or decreased heart rate, hives, wheezing, anxiety, fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. For more information, see our anesthesia section.

Loss of Sensitivity or Numbness

Loss of sensitivity is one of thea common, although temporary, breast surgery reduction risks. Nerve endings are severed during this surgery, so you must be patient until they regenerate and sensations begin to return. This can take several months; however, permanent sensation loss in the areola (nipple) area or breasts can and may happen.

Scarring Irregularities

While scars are a reality, there is also a risk of hypertrophic scar tissue or keloids. If you smoke or have a history of abnormal collagen formation or scarring, you may have irregular scarring. A regimen of Steri-Strips directly postoperative is recommended, with a switch over to scar gels and silicone gel sheeting after suture removal.

Wound Separation

The separation of the wound edges is one plastic surgery complication. If this occurs, keep the area very clean and contact your surgeon immediately. Revision surgeries are not always necessary but can be in some cases. Wet bandages can keep wound edges moist and encourage collagenation and wound binding. If this is not the case, an additional surgery to either excise the wound edges or score the edges and resuture the incision is possible. Regardless of the method needed to close the wounds, the healing process will take longer for a patient with separation than it will for a patient with normal wound healing.

Breast Asymmetry

Your breasts may be asymmetrical. Although your surgeon will attempt to make your breasts as even in volume and height as possible, the body is not made of modeling clay. The body also heals differently from patient to patient. However, this does not in anyway excuse a surgeon from doing poor work. Please be sure to view as many before-and-after photographs of your surgeon's work as you can during your initial consultation.

Hyperpigmentations Or Permanent Bruising

Permanent hyperpigmentation (dark spots) from the bruising are a risk. Hyperpigmentation should subside in a matter of a few weeks but may stay for longer than expected.Do not get discouraged. There are treatments for this rare complication, including some laser and pulsed light treatments. Simple applications of warm compresses after you're healed can assist in the dilation of blood vessels and the resorption of blood.

Blood Loss

Intraoperative and postoperative blood loss are rare breast reduction complications which will require immediate medical attention. In very rare cases, blood transfusions may be necessary. Your surgeon will instruct you to cease taking any anti-coagulants before your surgery. The list may include aspirin and aspirin-containing medications, vitamin E, garlic tablets and more. Please see our Medication and Supplement List for further information and be sure to disclose each and every medication you are taking or have taken in the weeks before surgery.

Hematoma and Seroma

Any sudden change in contour or color should be reported immediately. A hematoma is a collection or pocket of clotting or clotted blood in a body cavity, which can cause pain, scar tissue, infection and more. A seroma is a collection or pocket of the watery portion of the blood in a body cavity or space, and it can also cause pain and scar tissue.

Fat and Tissue Necrosis

Additional breast surgery risks arise when the fat and its surrounding tissues becoming necrotic (dead tissue). If the fat becomes necrotic from lack of blood supply, it tends to turn orange-ish clear and drain from the incision; however, it can spread and worsen. If the tissue becomes necrotic, immediate treatment is necessary! You must have the necrosis removed before it spreads, spawns a major infection, or causes gangrene.

Necrosis of the breast tissue, breast envelope and/or incision line is very rare, but there are increased risks in those with compromised wound healing abilities, a history of smoking, circulatory problems, and diabetes.

If tissue necrosis or compromised vascularity develops, please research hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — it could save your breasts and your life.

Breast Reduction Surgery Infection Risks

Infection is another plastic surgery complication. Symptoms usually show up within the first few days. They include redness, severe swelling, discharge, foul smell, severe pain which develops several days after your surgery and does not improve, intense heat in the area, and a fever over 100.5º F.

Be sure you thoroughly wash the breast and torso area with an anti-bacterial soap such as Hibiclens or Dial Antibacterial for a few days before surgery. Patients are often told to wash their bodies thoroughly with these anti-bacterial soaps up to three days beforehand, although some surgeons require that you do so only the night before and the morning of surgery. This precaution may assist in ridding the immediate area of staph bacteria, which occur naturally on the skin.Your surgeon or the staff will also scrub you with an antimicrobial solution just before your incision is made.

Burns From Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction

With the ultrasonic liposuction patients have been known to receive actual burns from the technique itself. The fat is melted within the body by 'exciting' the fat molecules with high frequency radio waves and is suctioned out.

Pulmonary Thromboemboli

Another risk of breast reduction surgery is pulmonary thromboemboli, or a blood clot in the lung. Patients are at greater risk of developing one after liposuction-assisted reductions or when liposuction is performed in combination with breast reduction. The clot can break free and travel to the lungs, throwing the patients into breathing distress and subsequently into cardiac arrest or coma, leading to the loss of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Pulmonary thromboemboli can happen within three weeks of the surgery, but patients will most likely show symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue within the first 72 hours. However, pulmonary thromboemboli can occur suddenly, without warning.

General Dissatisfaction with Breast Reduction

There is the risk of results that just do not live up to what you expected. Scars will be a definite issue and you must take this into account beforehand. They will appear to worsen before they get better, so prepare yourself. Patience and scar products can help.

Having too much tissue removed may leave you with smaller breasts than you would like. Be sure that you communicate your desired postoperative cup size to your surgeon. However, if insurance is to cover the cost of the operation, a certain amount of tissue may need to be removed to qualify. The exact amount varies by insurer. Ask your plastic surgeon how much tissue is required and double check with your insurer. Regardless, balance may the last thing on your mind before surgery, as long as your back stops hurting and your bras stop digging into your shoulders. Think about the long term.