Breast Lift Complications

Breast lifts are considered to be relatively safe procedures that can improve the appearance of sagging and drooping breasts. As with any surgery, there are some complications that may occur. Typically, these complications are minor. However, it is important that you fully understand breast lift complications before deciding if the procedure is right for you.

Potential Breast Lift Surgery Complications

Although most breast lift complications are not fatal, it is important to take into consideration all of the potential complications that can occur during and after surgery. In addition to these surgical complications, there are other risks of breast lift surgery that women should consider before deciding to undergo the procedure.

Infection

Infection is a concern after any type of surgery and is one of the most common breast lift complications. Symptoms typically appear within one to six weeks following surgery and may include severe swelling and pain, redness, discharge, a foul smell, and a fever.

The most common infection is staphylococcus, or “staph” which can be treated with antibiotics relatively easily. However, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a rare yet severe infection that is resistant to most types of antibiotics. Treatment of MRSA may require a longer hospital stay where special care will be taken to ensure that the infection does not spread. Treatment may also include draining the wound, taking special antibiotic medications or intravenous antibiotics, and applying ointments.

Hematoma

A hematoma is an accumulation of blood that can become trapped below an incision. They can cause pain, infection, and the formation of scar tissue, and may appear just after surgery or during the recovery process. When small, they are absorbed by the body, but larger hematomas may need to be removed through surgery. Because they disrupt the blood supply to the skin, large hematomas can lead to the death of the skin and tissue of the nipple and breast if left untreated.

Reactions to Anesthesia

General anesthesia is typically used during breast lift surgery and is administered through an injected liquid or inhaled gas. Your risk for complications from anesthesia depends on the type that is used, your health, and your age. Adverse reactions to anesthesia are uncommon in healthy people but can be one of the most serious breast lift complications, especially for those with other medical conditions.

Allergic reactions to anesthesia can cause nausea and vomiting, headache, sore throat, and shivering. Some patients may also experience a slower than normal return to full mental function. Serious reactions to anesthesia include heart attack, stroke and in some cases, death. A rare, but sometimes fatal, condition called malignant hyperthermia can be triggered by some general anesthetics, causing a potentially deadly temperature rise in the body.

Abnormal Scarring

For the first few months following surgery, breast lift scars will be very noticeable. Most of these scars will begin to fade over several months. While every effort is made by your surgeon to reduce the appearance of scars, breast lift scars can become undesirable complications if they form abnormally.

Keloids, thick, mushroom-shaped scars that extend beyond the incision site, may form due to a rapid healing process. Similar to keloids, red and raised hypertrophic scars may also form but will not go beyond the incision. There is also the risk of parts of the breast becoming hard due to abnormal scar tissue formation. Hematomas can increase the risk of scar tissue formation, and certain types of infection can lead to the formation of abnormal scars.

In some cases, an additional surgery may be required to improve the appearance of these scars. However, cortisone injections, laser therapy, and over-the-counter topical creams may also be effective in reducing the appearance of abnormal scars. The use of silicone sheeting may also reduce the risk of scar formation if used during recovery.

Complications of Breast Lift with Augmentation

In addition to the typical breast lift complications, patients who undergo a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation should also fully understand all of the possible complications from breast implants.

Changes in the implant can occur, leading to unwanted results. One of the most common complications, capsular contracture, occurs when scar tissue around the implant hardens. This squeezes the implant, causing changes in the shape of the breast, ripples in the skin, and hardening of breast tissue. Ruptured breast implants may also lead to additional health risks. Infection is an uncommon but serious complication that may require the removal of the implant. Typically, the implant can be replaced several months after the infection has cleared up.

Find a Plastic Surgeon through DocShop

To reduce the risk of breast lift complications, it is important to find a fully qualified and highly experienced surgeon to perform your breast lift procedure. Visit DocShop’s online directory to find a cosmetic surgeon in your area who is experienced in breast lift surgery.