risks involved in breast reduction

I am considering having breast reduction surgery and I have been told by some people that it is dangerous. A friend of a friend actually died from a blood clot after having this surgery. Can that actually happen and if so how often? What kind of pain is involved in the surgery? What other risks are there in having it?
Thank you,
Felicia

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

While there are always inherent risks in undergoing any surgical procedure (as there are with just crossing the street), I have never experienced a death or serious complication from this procedure.  Local minor wound healing problems are the most commonly seen.  The risk of a blood clot in the lower extremity traveling to the lungs is a rare phenomenon with this surgery and can be avoided with proper care during and after the surgery.