Is breast reduction mammaplasty safe? | Breast Reduction Mammaplasty Risks

All invasive surgery has associated risks and complications and it is important for patients to understand the risks involved and what you can do to minimise or prevent them. The decision to undergo surgical breast reduction mammaplasty involves risks. When deciding whether this procedure is right for you, you should think about all of the information available to you. 

Patients should firstly be aware of general surgical risks and how they may be affected. General surgical risks refer to risks associated with any procedure involving a general anaesthetic, for example stroke, heart attack, reaction to anaesthetic. Secondly, patients must consider the specific risks associated with breast reduction mammaplasty. For instance, infection and bottoming-out. Most women are concerned about issues like scarring after breast reduction mammaplasty, however there are many other different risks to also consider and be aware of. 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

General Risks of Surgical Procedures

Below is a list of potential surgery risks and complications which MAY occur but is NOT limited to:

– Bleeding and haematoma
– Wound separation or delayed healing
– Inflammation and infection
– Sore throat
– Painful or infected intravenous line site
– Other anaesthetic complications
– Sensitivity or allergy to dressings and tape
– Scarring
– Unsatisfactory result
– Asymmetry
– Post-operative fatigue/depression
– Deep vein thrombosis
– Allergic reaction
– Chronic pain
– Stroke, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmias 

These complications are extremely rare in otherwise fit and healthy patients. Patients should consider whether they are at a higher risk factor for any of these complications, and they should then discuss this with their operating surgeon. 

Breast Reduction Mammaplasty Specific Risks

Below is a list of potential breast reduction mammaplasty surgery risks and complications which MAY occur but is NOT limited to:

– Dog ears
– Loss of sensation
– Asymmetry
– Bottoming-out
– Interference with breast-feeding
– Pain
– Bleeding
– Fat necrosis
– Skin loss due to necrosis
– Wound breakdown

Post-Surgery Scarring | Breast Reduction Mammaplasty Risks

One risk that patients should pay extra attention to is post-surgical scarring as it is inevitable that patients will have some degree of scarring following surgery. Since there will be scars from breast reduction mammaplasty, it’s a good idea to be in tune with your scarring history. If you are a patient who has had problems with scarring in the past, you should expect similar outcomes after an invasive surgery. Dr. Richardson uses his surgical experience to ensure that the scars from breast reduction mammaplasty look as discreet as possible, but each patient must accept that there will be scars. To learn more about what they might look like, you can see before and after photos of his patients in our gallery. Alternatively, you can check out photos on our Instagram.