Plastic Surgery Risks
Yes, there are actual risks associated with cosmetic procedures. Though with shows like Dr. 90210, you’d think plastic surgery is a lot less like surgery and a lot more like a casual spa treatment.
But, as Miriam Marcus reports for Forbes, there are complications that all patients should be aware of. Dr. Richard D′ Amico, president–elect of the American Society for Plastic Surgery explains that even though plastic surgery patients are healthy, “the human body makes no distinction when the scalpel hits.”
Here’s a list of 10 potential complications:
1 Numbness—In 10 to 70 percent of the time, breast surgery patients experience sensation loss in the nipple. With face–lift and tummy tuck procedures, temporary numbness is common.
2 Seroma—Commonly seen in tummy tucks, this is a collection of body fluids. Because of this risk, plastic surgeons use a drain for prevention.
3 Necrosis—Tissue death that occurs with plastic surgery. Smokers especially susceptible.
4 Hematoma—A cluster of blood that occurs internally and may need a follow–up surgery; in one to two percent of face–lifts.
5 Nerve Injury—Can be permanent in about 1 in 1,000 face–lift surgeries; however, with an experienced surgeon the risk is rare.
6 Hypertrophic Scars—Very pronounced as these scars are red and thick. Here an experienced surgeon is also key, because he or she knows where to cut to make the scar hardly noticeable.
7 Bleeding—Risk of excessive bleeding after surgery is one percent. Again with an experienced doctor this is reduced.
8 Ptosis—Or sagging is common in eyelid surgery but can be corrected with a second surgery.
9 Infection—Can occur in liposuction because of the massive internal wound, though in general infections are rare. Still they can spread immediately. Make sure the doctor is board certified and the place is sanitary and sterile.
10 Death—Very rare, less than one percent, but it’s helpful to be near a hospital.
Marcus also discusses important ways you can reduce your risk for complications. The first big one is choosing the right plastic surgeon. Make sure the doctor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and that he or she has the credentials (from a hospital’s credential committee) to perform surgeries in a hospital. Of course many doctors perform surgery in an office, so you should verify that that space is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF).
Finally, plastic surgeon Dr. Darrick E. Antell emphasizes that you should choose surgeries with the least risk for the greatest benefit.