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Breast Reduction Recovery

asked 2 years ago by holly89 in Athens, GA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 17,965 times
Tags: recovery

I want to have a breast reduction surgery, but after seeing pictures of patients whose operation went very wrong, I got worried and discouraged. Why do some patients who have breast reduction surgery end up with dead tissue and really awful wounds? How can you prevent that? Is it the doctor's fault? If the operation goes great and the patient follows the post operation treatment correctly, can still this happen? If the doctor I'm seeing is a member of the ISAPS, can I be assured that he won't do anything wrong? Please, I'm really really worried.

21 answers to Breast Reduction Recovery

Breast Reduction Recovery

For the vast majority of patients, the breast reduction procedure may creat tremendous satisfaction. However, patient selection is key. During the consultation process, the board certified plastic surgeon must understand your needs, desires, lifestyle, medical condition and medical history before determing if a patient would make a good candidate.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction recovery

Most patients do quite well after a breast reduction procedure. The surgery involves removing breast tissue, fatty tissue and skin with no involvement of the muscle, which makes for a relatively smooth recovery. Most patients will take 3-4 days off work, during which time they will take narcotics before transitioning to tylenol. A surgical bra ( no underwire) will be worn for four weeks after surgery prior to a regular bra. Activities with the arms should be minimized for the first week... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction Normally Surprisingly Easy

Many patients share your concerns, but the occurrence of complications is fortunately small. There are factors that can increase risk, like smoking, obesity, and diabetes. During consultation, discuss your concerns directly and openly with your surgeon to determine whether your surgery carries more than average risk. No surgeon can guarantee surgery without complications or a specific result. Even the best experts experience complications. It does help to choose... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction on properly selected patients not prone to disasters

I have found breast reduction on properly selected patients to be one of the most satisfied of all my post-operative patients. I do not perform the operation on smokers, perform short-scar breast reduction on small to medium reductions and wise pattern or "anchor scar" for larger reductions. That said if you don't like a surgeons's pre and post op photos, think twice before having surgery with that surgeon - these should be an example of a cross-section of his or her work and can... more

W. Tracy Hankins, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Multiple reasons

Breast reduction surgery is very common and any major complications are low. The wound problems you are seeing can be minimized decreasing the amount of breast tissue that is removed, no smoking for three months before and 1 mo after the surgery. Even under the most expert hands problems with wound healing can occur in breast reduction surgery as any surgery. If you see a plastic surgeon who says he does not have any of these problems then he is not being truthful with you. Ultimately the... more

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Complications after Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. On the one hand, complications after breast reduction surgery are rare and mostly relatively minor. On the other hand, complications can occur in the best of surgeons' hands. Membership in specific societies does not necessarily guarantee complication free surgery. The best that you can to is to do your due diligence in surgeon selection. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction complications

Unfortunately, no surgery can be performed without any risk. However, risks can be minimized with proper preparation and good surgical technique. Smoking is probably the biggest risk factor for scarring and nipple or skin loss. Therefore, don't smoke! Other health concerns like diabetes or high blood pressure should be controlled and your surgeon should have a good understanding of your health history. Overall, complication related to healing should be very... more

James Wire, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Complications of breast reduction

I am sorry to hear that your friends had postoperative complications. The leading factor leading to tissue necrosis is the effect of nicotine. Smokers are much more liable to have issues in wound healing and poor scarring. Diabetics also have an increased risk of complications. Failure to comply with postop instructions including care for the drains placed during operation or to return scheduled followup may also negatively affect the outcome. Breast reduction has an extremely high... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.foresthillsplasticsurgery.com

Breast Reduction Results and Recovery

It is reasonable to be concerned as breast reduction is a significant operation. When patients choose well trained surgeons and surgeons choose to operate on healthy patients the results are usually quite pleasing and the risk of major complications low. Nevertheless, even the best surgeons can have complications on occasion.

Leo Keegan, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Recovery from breast reduction surgery

The key to a rapid recovery from breast reduction surgery is preparation. To minimize wound healing complications you must not smoke, your should have a proper, balanced diet, and be in good health Most patients have minimal discomfort after surgery and get back to daily activities over several days, and barring complications, have unrestricted full activities by 4 to 6 weeks after breast reduction surgery. See my plasticsurgeryofny.com website for more... more

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Breast reduction recovery

This is a very general question but a patient can really improve their chances of a safe result by being healthy, non-smoker, and young. I would also make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified. I would also ask to see pre/post photos and ask to speak to some other patients. In general, this is a very common surgery for a reason - it usally produces safe and happy results and therefore, safe and happy patients.

Chad Douglas Tattini, MD
Bloomington Plastic Surgeon

Successful recovery in breast reduction

Successful recovery in breast reduction should be expected in great majority of patients. Some patients are at a higher risk for healing complications, such as smokers, diabetics, patient with prior breast surgery. Wound healing problems that you describe should occur quite rarely. Proper selection of surgical technique is paramount, especially selection of how the nipple complex is moved to the new position. Some complications, especially if noted within 24-48... more

Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.doctorackerman.com

Many happy patients after a breast reduction

Breast reduction is a popular and effective way to remove tissue that may be causing pain and symptoms and contour the shape of your breast. There are many excellent techniques that can help you recontour the shape of your breast and create a pleasing new breast mound. Many techniques will also minimize the amount of scars that are necessary to place on the skin. Be sure that you're working with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in breast... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Key is patient selection and the surgeon skill

Breast reduction is a procedure that yields satisfactory results in the majority of our patients.Avoiding complications is the surgeon main concern in addition to achieving a good result. Avoiding complications starts with the first consultation by avoiding certain medications ans stopping smoking etc....once the patient is deemed ready for surgery the remaining part will depend on the surgeon skill and training. Hope that helps

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction results

Yes, results can vary quite a bit. Patients need to avoid certain medications, avoid smoking, and avoid undue stress and acitivity. On the other hand, you have to find a good surgeon with consistentlt good results.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction surgery

If you are physically healthy and mentally healthy, don't smoke, aren't diabetic and weigh well under 200 pounds, your chances of having complications from a breast reduction by an excellent surgeon are very small. The ISAPS is not the best way to judge the surgeon in my opinion. They must be Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, not any "cosmetic surgery" board as these are false boards and are not recognized nationally by the Am. Board of Medical... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction very safe with good surgeon.

Hi! Our breast reduction patients are our happiest patients. It is safe and it changes women's life for the better. You just have to pick the right doctor, which is hard. Ask around. Doctors develop a reputation in the community.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Management of risks and complications in breast reduction surgery

With all plastic surgical procedures you will be able to find a few disasters. No plastic surgeon wants this to happen. We use our best efforts to select appropriate candidates for the procedure. The ability to determine risk and avoid potential complications is what surgery is all about. What causes most problems in breast reduction surgery is lack of blood supply. During a typical breast reduction procedure we alter the blood supply. Unfortunately there is no road map that tells us... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction Benefits

Patients who have reductions are almost universally pleased in my experience. Smoking is one big problem with healing, otherwise most patients have minimal if any problems. You should be more concerned with membership in ASAPS ans ASPS than ISAPS.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Complications occur in the best of hands with the best of surgery.

Just look at the statistics -- almost 90% of patients who comment here think that a reduction was worth it. In my practice it is closer to 99%. Sometimes complications can occur. You need to have an honest open conversation with your doctor and have all of your questions answered. It is terrific surgery.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction is safe, but not perfect

All plastic surgeons can have a very bad result from an operation that is ordinarily safe and effective. It's part of the uncertainty of life. However, the vast majority of breast reductions patients heal uneventfully and love their results. Now, patient selection and choice of procedure is critical. Women with smaller (but still large breasts) have lower risk than women with gigantic breasts. Smoking increases risk. Diabetes and age increase risk. In my practice, where I have done over the... more