Breast Lift Side Effects and Risks – Important Info for Patients

Before making the decision to undergo breast lift surgery, it is important to speak to your doctor about the process and the risks involved.  Patients with a medical or family history including conditions such as diabetes and poor circulation may not be recommended for surgery.  In addition to the general risks which accompany any type of surgery, listed below are a few side effects and risks specific to breast lift surgery.

Asymmetry

It is a common risk of breast lift surgery that the patient will end up with breasts that are asymmetrical – slightly different in size or shape.  In most cases, this side effect is rather minor and does not affect the patient’s health.

Loss of Sensation

With any type of breast augmentation surgery, there is a moderately high risk that the patient will lose sensation in the breast, particularly around the nipple.  While this loss of sensitivity is often temporary, it can become permanent if the nerves do not fully regenerate.

Breastfeeding

Interference with breastfeeding is a common fear among women undergoing breast augmentation surgery, but only in rare cases is a woman’s ability to properly breastfeed affected by a breast lift.  The milk glands are not separated from the nipple during surgery like the nerves in the breast sometimes are, so few women experience problems with breastfeeding after having breast lift surgery.

Scars

Having scars is an almost unavoidable truth of having breast lift surgery.  These scars can vary in size and position and generally will fade over time, but usually remain permanently visible.

Allergic Reactions

Some patients are at risk for having an allergic reaction to either the anesthesia used during the operation or to the medication prescribed during recovery.  It is important to provide your doctor with a full medical history and list of your current medications to prevent this type of reaction.

Recovery Complications

For breast lift surgery, the entire length of recovery is estimated around 6 months.  The patient may experience swelling and bruising for 2-3 weeks after surgery and numbness for 1-2 weeks, but pain is said to be only mild to moderate during recovery.  If a patient engages in vigorous exercise too early or damages the suture site, complications could result in a lengthened recovery time and even a need for additional surgery.

The decision to have any type of elective surgery should not be made lightly.  Patients should be sure to consult their doctor in regards to the risks and side effects that are possible and to receive instructions about how to reduce the possibilities of complications.

For more information about breast lift side effects and risks contact a cosmetic surgeon in Brisbane today!