What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?

No-one likes to think about this but all surgery carries risks. Advances in medical technology and anaesthesia mean that surgery is very safe. However, nothing in life is 100% and this also applies to cosmetic surgery. Even surgery performed by the best cosmetic surgeons can be risky.

Breast reduction surgery is still a major surgical procedure and because it involves a general anaesthetic, there are some risks involved. This surgery is performed on thousands of women and it has the highest satisfaction rate out of all cosmetic procedures. But, complications can happen.

The main risks are as follows:

• Adverse reaction to general anaesthesia
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots or ‘DVT’ (Deep Vein Thrombosis’)
• Slow wound healing
• Reduced or loss of nipple feeling
• Nipple necrosis
• Keloids (thick, raised, angry red scars)
• Difficulty with or unable to breastfeed

There are risks and there are side effects. The side effects are nausea and dizziness after having a general anaesthetic and pain and discomfort. However, these are temporary effects.

Long term effects include reduced ability to breastfeed. If there has been a major loss of milk ducts or the nipples and areolas were moved then there is likely to be a loss of nipple sensation. This will have consequences for those women who are looking to start a family and breastfeed.

You may find that the surgery has left you with unbalanced or asymmetrical breasts. If so then you may require breast asymmetry surgery to correct this.

Scarring can be a problem. Breast reduction surgery does produce extensive scarring but these generally fade over time. However, there is the risk of these bursting. If this happens then you would need scar revision surgery.

Nipple necrosis is the condition in which the areola or nipple dies as a result of surgery. This is fortunately, very rare.

Breast Reduction Surgery Guide Index:

• What is ‘breast reduction’ surgery?
• Who should consider breast reduction surgery?
• Who is not suitable for breast reduction surgery?
• Why shouldn’t I have breast reduction surgery?
• How much does breast reduction surgery cost?
• Can I get help paying for my breast reduction?
• Can I have breast reduction surgery on the NHS?
• Can I have breast reduction surgery abroad?
• I want breast reduction surgery, what next?
• How do I find a reputable breast reduction surgeon?
• What questions should I ask my surgeon?

• I have decided to go ahead so what happens next?
• How do I prepare for my breast reduction surgery?
• What will happen on the day of my surgery?
• What is the breast reduction procedure?
• What will happen after my breast reduction surgery?
• What does recovery from breast reduction involve?
• What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?
• What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?
• Is there an ‘aftercare’ service for breast reduction surgery?
• How long does breast reduction last?