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Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery
Possible Causes of Dissatisfaction
Breast reduction surgery, just like any other surgery, poses some risks that should be fully understood before consenting. Some of the common risks are scars, numbness and infection. This page will cover each of these risks and more in detail.
Scars
The only drawback to removing excess skin is that it necessarily causes scars. Fortunately, the scars can be limited to areas that are hidden when you are wearing a bra. In most cases, the scars are located around the nipple, below the nipple, and along the crease beneath the breast. The scars fade after surgery, but it can take years for them to do so. There are some techniques of breast reduction which may eliminate the scar along the crease, but most of these techniques are in the development stage at this time. Usually the scars are acceptable, especially when considering the benefits gained in the "quality of life" following breast reduction, but no one can guarantee that you will be pleased with your scars. If you are going to have this operation, you simply must accept the fact that you are exchanging the problem of macromastia for scars.
Nipple or breast numbness or sensory change
Numbness of the nipple or breast is fairly uncommon but it does occur in some cases. It is more likely that your nipple sensation will improve because the nerve to your nipple will no longer be stretched due to the weight of your breasts.
Nipple Loss
Having complete nipple loss is a tragic problem, because it means that one or both nipples lose their circulation and die. This also causes there to be an open wound that would require care. Eventually, the wound would close, or surgery would be necessary to close it.
If nipple loss does occur, a new nipple would then be recreated artificially by using your own skin or by simply tattooing a nipple. Nipple loss is most likely to occur in smokers, but may occur in anyone. If you smoke, you should quit at least 2-4 weeks prior to surgery to reduce your risk of this problem.
Infection, bleeding, fluid collections (seromas), asymmetry (unevenness between sides) and healing problems
If you are young and healthy and follow your doctor's instructions, you may reduce your likelihood of these events. However, you must understand that any or all of these problems may occur, even in the best of circumstances.
Final Size
No one can guarantee your final cup size, because cup size is not standardized. Have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery to communicate your desired size. Explaining your preference in comparison to your current size is sometimes very helpful. For example, you might want to be somewhere between one third and one half of your current size.
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