Breast Lift Surgery

Risks specific to breast lift / mastopexy surgery

• Infection

• Antibiotics are given at the time of surgery and for one week post-operatively;
• Further surgery may be required to improve scars if severe infection occurs;
• Tissue Necrosis or tissue breakdown has been reported following the use of steroid drugs, chemotherapy, radiation to breast tissue, smoking and excessive heat or cold therapy. Occasionally, it can occur without any identifiable cause but this is very rare.


• Bleeding


• Bleeding with collection of blood and bruising (haematoma) can occur;
• Further surgery may be required to stop the bleeding may be required. However, returning to the operating theater for this is very rare.


• Changes in Nipple and Skin Sensation


• Some change in, or loss of nipple sensation immediately after surgery is not unusual.
• It may take 9 to 12 months for full sensation to return.
• Occasionally, partial or permanent loss of nipple and skin sensation or hypersensitivity may occur in one or both breasts.
• Changes in sensation may affect sexual response or the ability to feed a baby.


• Nipple Loss


• This is the worst complication of this type of surgery, and is most common is very large breasts, or in smokers or diabetics.
• If the nipple blood supply appears to be threatened at the time of surgery, conversion to free nipple graft may be necessary. This will be explained at the time of your initial consultation with Dr Konrat.


• Poor Scarring and 'Dog Ears'


• 'Dog Ears' are puckers or small 'pleats' at each end or one end of a scar. If these are bothersome or appear unattractive, they can be trimmed so their appearance is flatter and smoother.
• This may need further surgery to correct, usually after 3 - 6 months.


• Permanent Scarring


• Scars around the nipple, from the areola to the fold at the base of the breast and sometimes in the fold below the breast are permanent.
• The degree of scarring varies according to many factors. Dr Konrat can discuss this with you at your initial consultation.


• Breast Asymmetry


• Your breasts may not be perfectly symmetric in size and shape after surgery.
• Nipple height may not be matched perfectly, as it is difficult to remove a considerable portion of breast tissue and match the nipple positions with the patient in a horizontal position.
• All care is taken to ensure that nipple position and breast size and shape is as symmetrical as possible.

GENERAL RISKS OF SURGERY

Because surgery is such a vital part of modern medicine, there is a tendency to forget that there are risks associated with every type of surgery. While these risks are small, every person undergoing surgery should be aware of the risks.

Wounds

All internal and external wounds need time to heal after surgery. Sutures and other material are used to hold wounds closed while they heal.

Infections

Despite taking precautions, infections can occur during and just after surgery. These may be general, such as pneumonia, or specific to breast surgery. Because of their generally good health, breast implant patients usually have a lower risk of developing general infections such as pneumonia.

Pulmonary Risks

• Patients have a risk of forming a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that breaks off and gets stuck in the lung circulation (pulmonary embolism). This is minimized by the wearing of surgical 'stockings' during the surgery, and by getting the patient out of bed as soon as possible.
• You will also be encouraged to breathe deeply when you wake up from the anesthetic as this expands your lungs and helps ensure your blood oxygen levels are good.

Risks of Anesthesia

As a rule, these risks are very low in cosmetic surgery patients, because the patients are generally in good health. Dr Konrat will take a full medical history, will order a number of tests prior to surgery and will make lifestyle recommendations to ensure your health is optimal before the surgery. This will minimise any general risks.

Mental Health disorders and Elective Surgery

• It is important that all patients seeking to undergo elective surgery have realistic expectations that focus on improvement rather than perfection.


• Complications or less than satisfactory results are sometimes unavoidable, may require additional surgery and can be stressful.


• Please discuss openly with Dr Konrat in your consultation prior to surgery, any history of emotional depression or mental health disorders. If you are unsure whether a matter is relevant, please mention it anyway. Although many individuals may benefit psychologically from the results of elective cosmetic surgery, the effects on mental health can never be predicted and could possibly have a negative influence on emotional stability.