How long a normal breast reduction take and risks?

Question

Had a breast reduction, surgery lasted 9.5 hours. All tests, ECGs, mammograms etc were normal before surgery, the took a kilo from each side. None of the incisions look the same, is these occurances normal? The doctor never answered my questions.

Jane M. Rowley, MD · Answer

9.5 hours for a breast reduction is well over the average time for most surgeons.  It generally shows a lack of experience or inability to make intraoperative decisions.  If you are not happy with your results please seek another opinion.  Good luck, Jane.

Sophie Ricketts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

I'm sorry to hear the outcome from your surgery is less than ideal.

I normally say to my patients that breast reduction surgery takes on average 2.5hrs. I use an assistant which reduces operating time by up to about half an hour. Which is great for the patient as their anaesthetic time is less; which reduces all sorts of potential complications.

One of the important risks with any surgery over about an hour in length is DVT or deep vein thrombosis. Venous thrombosis is where blood clots develop in the legs from lying immobile for long periods of time such as when asleep during your anaesthetic (or on long haul airline flights!). I take precautions to lower the risk of this happening. I use compression stockings and calf compressors which gently squeeze the calves sequentially during your surgery (a bit like a massage chair!) to move the blood in the veins back towards the heart. I also give a prophylactic small dose of anticoagulant (blood thinner) to help prevent stagnant blood from clotting.

Samuel Beran, MD · Answer

It's hard to put an exact number on the length of time for a breast reduction.  I do all of these cases with one of my partners.  We schedule the surgical time for 2 hours.  The actual procedure time varies between 1 hour for smaller reduction and 1.5 hours for larger reductions.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns after breast reduction surgery.  Generally speaking, breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform and on average takes about 3 hours to perform in our hands.  You will be best off asking your plastic surgeon why the procedure lasted 9.5 hours, certainly much longer than average. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

How long a normal breast reduction take and risks?

Answers (4)

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