Can you get Lymphedema from a breast reduction surgery?

Question

I had right breast lumpectomy and 12 lymph nodes removed and 35 radiation treatments. I developed Lymphedema in my right arm after treatment. Now I am scheduled to have breast reduction surgery on my left side to match my now smaller right breast but I have read that you can get lymphedema even if no nodes are removed. My surgeon does not feel there is a risk

Jonathan Amspacher, MD · Answer

Congratulations on making it through the first stages of breast surgery and radiation therapy.  Luckily you are now in the easier part of things.  The risk of lymphedema is mostly limited to the side treated with radiation and lymph node dissection.  There is a theoretical risk with a reduction but I have never seen a patient develop any problems with lymphedema after hundreds of reductions. Best of luck on your journey.
Dr. Amspacher

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

The lymphedema that you have experienced is due to the dissection of your lymph nodes in your axilla.  This dissection has disrupted the normal lymphatic circulation.  Lymphedema would be extremely rare with breast reduction surgery, because dissection of your lymph nodes is not done.  Breast reductions are a large part of my practice, and I have never seen lymphedema in 18 years of doing these procedures. The risk of a lymphedema is minimal with breast reduction. Best wishes.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

I can see why you are worried, lymphedema is a difficult problem to deal with. It results from damage to the natural lymphatic drainage. In your case the lymphatic drainage in the armpit was disrupted during the treatment for cancer. Breast reduction does not involve any surgery in the armpit so you should do fine. I've done over a  thousand of breast reductions with no patient ever having lymphedema.

Can you get Lymphedema from a breast reduction surgery?

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