Although serious complications are rare, breast reduction surgery has the potential for many problems. This is major surgery and you should not enter into it lightly.

Bleeding: all surgery carries a risk of bleeding. This may be a persistent oozing that requires surgical correction or the blood may collect beneath the surface as a hematoma. If severe a blood transfusion may be needed and there are risks associated with transfusion.

Hematoma: when blood collects beneath the skin it is called a hematoma. A small hematoma may absorb on its own but a large one is cosmetically unacceptable and requires surgery. A hematoma may also cause increased scarring within the breast. A hematoma is also an excellent medium for the growth of bacteria and increases the risk of infection.

Seroma: sometimes serum can collect. This may need removal with a needle or even surgical drainage.

Infection: all surgery carries and risk of infection and if this happens further surgery may be needed. Antibiotics are often given to reduce the risk of infection.

Loss of shape: the breasts will change in shape as the years pass. In some patients the nipple may become a higher creating an abnormal shape, called "bottoming out"(seen at the left), while in others they may "droop" normally.

Swelling: the breasts will be swollen for several weeks after surgery and the final result cannot be seen for at least a month or two.

Bruising: some bruising is normal but if there is increased bleeding the bruises can be significant and extend on to the abdomen.

Asymmetry: it is unusual for both breast to be the same before surgery and so they probably will not be exactly the same afterwards. This is usually minor but occasionally additional surgery is needed revise asymmetry.

Nerve Damage: numbness and discomfort can occur due to damage to the nerves in the area. Permanent loss of feeling in the nipples can occur .

Scar: all incision produce a scar and breast reduction is no exception. This scar is long and may be heavy and thick.

Unsatisfactory Result: things do not always work out the way the doctor and the patient would like. You may be disappointed with the size and shape of your breasts.

Poor Healing: healing may be delayed for several reasons. It is especially common in smokers. Sometimes the wound may open or some areas of the breast skin or nipple may not heal well. It is possible to lose skin or nipple tissue. This may require further surgery.

Pain: this is a major operation and some pain is to be expected. The operation often improves neck, back and shoulder pain but in some patients this pain is still present after surgery.

Firmness: excessive firmness of the breast due to internal scarring or fat necrosis. May develop. Areas of fat necrosis or scarring may need a biopsy to confirm their nature. Severe scarring within the breast may cause nipple retraction.

Breast Disease: breast disease and cancer are independent of breast reduction surgery and can still occur. Mammographic finding may change after breast reduction surgery. Breast reduction does NOT increase the risk of breast cancer and indeed may slightly decrease the risk.

Breast Feeding: some women may breast feed after breast reduction but it is not predictable. If breast feeding is important for you, the you should probably wait for the surgery until your family is complete.

Re-growth of Breast Tissue: younger patients are more likely to redevelop breast tissue and may need normal manipulation.

Anesthesia: the operation is under a general anesthetic and this involves risk. Your anesthesi0ologsit can answer your specific questions but there is the possibility of blood clots and serious lung problems.

Allergic Reactions: many different medicines and materials are used during surgery and you could have allergies to tape, sutures and drugs used during surgery

Additional Treatment: secondary surgery may be needed for many reasons including tightening or repositioning the breasts.