What Are the Side Effects of Breast Reduction Surgery?

Large, oversized breasts can impact your quality of life, making simple activities difficult, painful, or uncomfortable. Breast reduction surgery can help create more proportionate breasts; this can improve your confidence and appearance, and alleviate back and neck pain. As with any surgery, breast reduction carries some potential side effects. It's important to understand these potential side effects when considering breast reduction surgery. Dr. Ken Smart explains the possible breast reduction side effects during consultations at his Dallas, TX practice. To receive your personal consultation, we welcome you to contact our offices today.

The Potential Side Effects of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction has some potential side effects, but for most patients, these side effects are minor enough to make surgery well worth it. In general, the side effects of breast reduction surgery are the body's response to the healing process. These common side effects include:

• Pain and discomfort: It's not uncommon to experience some pain and discomfort in the first few days after breast reduction surgery. Pain and discomfort are expected due to the tissues being manipulated during surgery. Pain and discomfort can often be managed with prescribed pain medication or physician approved over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Swelling: Swelling is another common side effect following breast reduction surgery and is a normal response to the healing process. Applying clean ice packs to the chest and sitting upright can help reduce swelling. Swelling should resolve as the body recovers. If swelling becomes worse and the tissues become red, painful, or inflamed, it may be an indication of an infection or other complication. This type of swelling should be brought to your surgeon's attention immediately.
• Bruising: Bruising may also occur after breast reduction surgery. Bruising often occurs as a result of tissue manipulation during surgery but should fade as the tissues heal. For most, bruising will fade within a couple of weeks following surgery.
• Scarring: During breast reduction surgery, incisions are made to keep residual scarring as unnoticeable as possible. However, scars may still develop and some may be more obvious than others, depending on incision location and your personal likelihood of scarring. Scars will typically fade over time and are generally hidden by a bathing suit tops or bras.

Breast Reduction Candidates

Women who feel overly self-conscious due to breast size, are dissatisfied with the appearance of large breasts, or suffer from physical pain as a result of heavy, oversized breasts often benefit from breast reduction surgery. Even men with enlarged breast tissue may benefit from breast reduction surgery. Additionally, ideal candidates should be in good general health, free from health issues such as cardiovascular disease and uncontrolled diabetes. Candidates should also have a healthy relationship with plastic surgery and have realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve. 

Is Breast Reduction Right for You?

Breast reduction surgery can help improve your quality of life, reducing back and shoulder pain. To find out if breast reduction surgery is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smart.