Whilst it is true that when a Breast reduction is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon the risks are small, nonetheless, specific complications with this procedure can and do occur.

As in any procedure the risk of significant infection is always possible. This is minimized by careful surgical technique and the preventative administration of antibiotics both at the time of surgery and after. However despite these measures mild infection is relatively common and can occur around the incision sites, but usually subsides over a period of about 2 weeks.

Risks such as blood clots are rare. Early mobilization by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible reduces this considerably.

As mentioned earlier, swelling should be expected after this operation. When mild or moderate swelling is present, the body rapidly reabsorbs this. Very occasionally, increased bleeding can lead to more significant swelling and the development of a hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin). If this were to happen, surgical drainage to evacuate this would be required. Ultimately however this should not affect the final outcome.

What could go wrong?

All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk. When a breast augmentation is performed by a qualified Plastic Surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. These include infection, hematoma, and skin necrosis. Infection can occur despite our normal routine of administering antibiotics at the time of surgery as well as post-operatively. This happens about one percent of the time. Signs such as pain, redness, swelling, or fever, following augmentation should be reported immediately to the hospital. Infection not reported could easily compromise the success of any surgery. If infection was to be serious and fail to respond to antibiotics, removal of the implants would be required and replacement would not be effected until such time as the infection had cleared.

Bleeding, as a result of a leak in a blood vessel will give rise to swelling and bruising of the breast. If this is slight then your body will be able to absorb it in time. If it is significant (termed hematoma, and occurs 1% of the time) then it may be necessary to drain this. Your surgeon will be able to assess this.

Skin necrosis or skin decay occurs when there is not enough blood to supply the skin. This could happen if the surgeon were to select an implant size too that was too large for the pocket created. This is extremely rare and in fact, Dr. Klapper has not experienced this problem and nor does he expect to.