Possible Complications

Every activity in life, whether driving automobiles or having surgery is associated with risk. The following inherent risks must be understood and assumed by the patient if we are to proceed with this operation. Although most patients have a very satisfactory result, complications may occur following any surgical procedure. The patient must understand that asymmetry (differences in appearance from one side to the other) is perfectly natural and that some will persist following even the most successful procedure. Likewise, visible and occasionally unsightly scars are an expected outcome of such an operation.

Possible complications include infections, bleeding, alteration in sensation of the nipple/areolar area or elsewhere over the breast mound, breast tissue loss, skin loss (including the nipple/areolar area), which may delay healing, necessitate skin grafts or other subsequent surgical procedures or, if implants are employed, implant rejections.

It is not uncommon for the incisions to pull apart along the folds beneath the breasts or around the areolae; should this occur, the open area will be treated with a moist dressing and will frequently heal without the necessity for revision surgery. Such wound separations, however, will significantly prolong the healing process. On rare occasions, revisional surgery will be required, and will result in additional expense to the patients. It is not possible to advise you of every conceivable complication. The foregoing was not intended to frighten or upset you, but to insure that your decision to have this operation is made with your awareness of the possible risks. Most patients have a very satisfactory result following such surgery and complications actually occur rarely.