Although a breast lift cosmetic surgery is a relatively safe procedure, there are certain risks associated with it. When breast implant surgery is combined with a breast lift procedure, the implants create additional risks. The key is to choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to minimize the risks.
The patient should take into consideration all the potential risks of breast lift surgery in order to deciding whether to undergo the surgery.
Board certified and prudent female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides breast lift surgery to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding communities across the landscape.
Infection
Infection is a common risk after any type of surgery, including breast lift. Symptoms may appear within one to six weeks following the surgery and could include abnormal swelling and pain, redness, discharge, and fever.
Hematoma
A hematoma refers to accumulation of blood which can become trapped below an incision. Hematomas can cause pain, infection, and lead to the formation of scar tissue. These may appear just after a breast lift plastic surgery or during the recovery process. When small, they will be absorbed by the body, but a larger hematoma may need to be removed through surgery.
Reaction to Anesthesia
The risk for complications from anesthesia will depend on the type of anesthetic used, the patient’s health, and her age. Adverse reactions to anesthesia are rare in healthy people but can be a breast lift complication, particularly for women with other medical conditions. An allergic reaction to anesthesia may cause nausea, headache, sore throat, and shivering.
Conspicuous Scarring
For a few months following surgery, breast lift scars may be significant. But most of these scars will fade gradually over several months.
While the surgeon will make every effort to reduce the scar appearance, breast lift scars can be conspicuous if they form abnormally. Keloids, thick, mushroom-shaped scars, which extend beyond the incision area, could occur due to a rapid healing process.
Asymmetry
As every patient heals differently, a few women may experience minor differences in the size or shape of breasts following a breast lift surgery.
Nipple placement may also be asymmetrical after the surgery. Breast asymmetry is a common risk of breast lift surgery, but in most cases, it is insignificant. However, if the asymmetry appears too obvious, it can be revised with an additional surgery.
Change of Sensation
Loss of sensation or altered sensation in the breast or areola is a normal side effect following breast lift surgery and it is usually temporary. In some cases, a woman may experience higher sensitivity, which is also a temporary risk of breast lift. But in rare cases, the sensation loss can be permanent. The risk of permanent sensation loss is higher when the nipples are repositioned during surgery.
Many women assume that breastfeeding problems are also one of the risks of breast lift surgery.
But the milk glands are not separated from the nipples during the surgery, and as a result breastfeeding is typically not affected. Reliable female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and other town and neighborhoods in this region of the nation for breast lift surgery.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.