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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffBreast reduction surgery has the same risks as any other type of major surgery — bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks include:
- Loss of sensation in the nipples and areolae
- Loss of the nipples and areolae
- Scarring
- Inability to breast-feed
- Asymmetry in size, shape, position and contour of the nipples or breasts, which may lead to further surgery to improve appearance
After breast reduction surgery, it might also take time to get used to the change in your appearance. Understanding what's involved in breast reduction surgery and weighing the benefits and risks ahead of time can help you decide if breast reduction surgery is right for you.
- Antoniuk PM. Breast augmentation and breast reduction. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2002;29:103.
- Chadbourne EB, et al. Clinical outcomes in reduction mammaplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2001:76:503.
- What is breast reduction? American Society for Plastic Surgery. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Reconstructive_Procedures/Breast_Reduction.html. Accessed July 17, 2009.
- Cruz NI, et al. Lactational performances after breast reduction with different pedicles. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2007;120:35.
- Grassley JS. Breast reduction surgery: What every woman needs to know. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Lifelines. 2002;6:44.
- Pruthi S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 29, 2009.
- Walsh MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 18, 2009.
