Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction —
Surgery, Procedure, Risks & Complications

On this page: Risks | Implant Types & Placement | Incisions | Surgery Setting | Anesthesia Options | Expectations for Surgery | Male Breast Reduction |

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 264,041 breast augmentations, 105,593 breast reductions and 75,805 breast lifts were performed by plastic surgeons in the United States in 2004, helping to reshape the form and self-image for thousands of satisfied plastic surgery patients.

However, candidates for breast surgery need to understand that breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction are invasive procedures that carry the risk of serious complications.

To make the right decision about breast enhancement, it is important that you understand all of the implications regarding the surgery itself, as well as the associated risks. Furthermore, you should consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to discuss your specific needs and address any questions or concerns.

Your doctor may recommend that breast augmentation (enlargement) be performed at the same time as breast lift. Learn how your doctor will evaluate you for breast reduction and how previous breast biopsy, future weight loss, current medications, and your medical history may affect your decision to decrease the size of your breasts. If you have any concerns about breast reduction, you need to address them with your doctor prior to the surgery.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for breast surgery and provide you with post-operative guidelines.

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction and Breast Implant Risks

Breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction are invasive surgeries that involve risk. You should recognize the risks and potential complications you are about to take on, as well as the possibility of needing a second operation to accomplish your desired goals. One reason for having a second operation is that your breasts and/or nipples may not be asymmetric after the first surgery.

Breast implants create their own set of complications as well. Breast implants may interfere with future mammograms, breast feeding, and there is a slim chance that an implant could rupture. You should consult with your doctor if you plan on breast feeding after your surgery, as it may alter the surgical technique and/or placement of the implant. Some other risks associated with breast surgery using breast implants include infection, bleeding, loss of breast sensitivity, complications that arise from anesthesia, and other factors.

Read through a list of the top 10 questions every breast surgery candidate should ask a plastic surgeon and review photographs and illustrations of potential breast implant complications.

Breast Implant Types and Placement

Your plastic surgeon may recommend one of the following types of breast implants: saline-filled implants, silicone-gel filled implants or alternative breast implants (e.g. Trilucent).

The FDA provides a guide to choosing breast implants, which explains how to make the right selection on the basis of implant surface (smooth or textured), implant shape (round or shaped), implant profile (how far the implant protrudes), and implant size.

There has been a debate since 1992 about the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants. Learn more about the most up-to-date information on silicone breast implant surgery, including risks related to silicone gel-filled implants, long term implant issues, health care coverage issues, and questions to ask about silicone gel-filled breast implants. You may be interested in reading an FDA article on the conditional approval for a second company to manufacture silicone breast implants.

Breast implant placement is an important decision you and you doctor will discuss at your consultation. There are pros and cons to each type. The following links describe the three placements of breast implants:

Finally, you should determine, along with your doctor, the right size and shape that will make you feel most comfortable. The Mayo Clinic provides an article on reshaping your self-image through breast augmentation.

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift and Breast Reduction Incisions

During your initial consultation, you and your plastic surgeon will discuss the optimal location of your breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction incisions. The choice of incision placement is important, as it may affect scar visibility after the surgery.

The following are the various incisions associated with breast augmentation:

Access a brief description of incision types for breast lift (mastopexy), and educate yourself about possible variations of the common breast lift techniques and breast reduction techniques.

View the breast incision illustrations demonstrating potential incision locations for breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction. Learn about post-operative incision care.

Where Will Your Breast Surgery Be Performed?

Breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction can be performed as an outpatient procedure (in a plastic surgeon's office or an ambulatory surgical facility) or as an inpatient procedure (in a hospital). All outpatient facilities must meet certain surgery facility standards as set forth by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF). Use the verification tool from the AAAASF to ensure that your doctor's office or an ambulatory facility is properly accredited.

Be aware if your breast surgery is performed in a hospital, you may need to stay overnight. Furthermore, understand the implications of outpatient surgery. Read an article from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on the safety of outpatient plastic surgery. It is just as important to focus on the actual surgery as it is the results.

Your Anesthesia Options for Breast Surgery

Breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction will involve either local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure. You and your doctor will discuss available anesthesia options and decide on the anesthesia choice that is appropriate for you. Find out which type of anesthesia is used most for the procedure.

Review Mayo Clinic's Anesthesia: Options and Considerations to learn more about how anesthesia may affect you. Find out more about the necessity of a pre-operative interview with your anesthesiologist and learn the facts about anesthesiologists. Furthermore, access results of BRAVO (breast reduction study) that provides the anesthesia statistics for breast reduction surgery.

What Can You Expect During Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is similar to other surgeries in that you will receive anesthesia prior to surgery, the breast surgery will be performed, and then you will go into recovery. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may have to stay overnight.

Find out what the day of surgery will be like for breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction and what happens during breast augmentation surgery, breast lift surgery and breast reduction surgery.

Educate yourself about breast augmentation recovery and results.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

Access credible resources about male breast reduction: the surgery, associated risks, recovery, and results.

Other Plastic Surgery Procedures

Are you looking for other plastic surgery procedures? Check out other credible sites on abdominoplasty surgery, face lift surgery, liposuction surgery, and rhinoplasty surgery.

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