POSSIBLE RISKS OF PLASTIC SURGERY

Plastic surgery ranks among the top surgical procedures in the medical field.
With continual progress made in innovative technologies and surgical techniques,
plastic surgery is consistently reliable and generally considered safe.

Although complications from plastic surgery are rare, there are still existing
risks and complications, just like any other surgical procedure.

The degree of plastic surgery complications and risks is highly dependent on
the specific surgical procedure(s) performed, and the patient's own health condition
and physiology. Smokers, the elderly, people with diabetes, heart conditions
and certain allergies are more likely to experience complications that others.

Obviously the type of procedure will determine plastic surgery dangers that
may be present. This page will serve as a summary to general plastic surgery
risks and complications. Comprehensive coverage of risks and complications to
specific plastic surgery procedures can be viewed by following the links at
the bottom of the page to the procedure that interests you.

Before you undergo plastic surgery it is important to have blood tests and
a physical done to ensure that you are a good candidate for surgery. Additionally
you should make sure to look into the procedure you are considering and learn
about the risks involved so that you can be as prepared as possible for your
transformation.

The following lists some "general" risks and complications associated with
plastic surgery.

Bleeding and Associated Risks

Bleeding is quite common within the first 24 hours following surgery and can
lead to complications. Blood can pool and collect under the skin to form a hematoma
which will be firm in feel, and may turn the overlaying skin blue or purple.
The area can cause pain but usually becomes reduced when your body's' own clotting
mechanism takes over and reabsorbs the collected blood. However, if the hematoma
continual to grows, it will compress the tissue and prevent oxygen from circulating
around that area. This may result in skin death, and a return to the operating
room is required to drain out the excess blood. Further, a large hematoma can
increase your risks of other complications such as infection, wound separation,
and necrosis.

During surgery and within 72 hours, you become more susceptible to secondary
infections since bacterial and viral pathogens have easier access via
open wounds, sutures, or drain sites. That is why antibiotics are usually taken
during and following the procedure. Typical signs of infection are fever, redness
in a local area, foul odor, and/or thick yellow or white discharge.

Seromas are similar to hematomas, except it is a collection of tissue fluid,
rather than blood. Seromas can occur usually in operations where tissue is removed
(i.e. tummy tucks) since the body will attempt to fill the empty space created
between separated tissues. Seromas can be recognized by enlargement, heaviness,
weight gain, and even sloshing of fluid. They also increase the risk of secondary
infections. Seroma are treated with compression or with drainage with a needle
and syringe.

Suture Reaction and Wound Separation

Since sutures are foreign substances, it is not unusual to have an immune reaction
against it. If the body rejects the suture, it may try to get rid of it by pushing
it to the surface of the skin. This can be manifested as a spitting suture,
which can occur within weeks to a months following surgery. The body may produce
scar tissue surrounding the suture to separate it from the body. This may result
in a suture granuloma, which is seen as a bump under the skin. If bacteria
enters the area around the suture and causes infection, a suture abscess
may result. This is discernible as redness, tenderness, and pus around the suture.
This may cause further infection of the skin if left untreated.

If you have experienced these problems with previous surgeries, it is important
to inform your surgeon prior to the operation. This way, they may be able to
make the necessary changes (suture material, surgical technique) to minimize
the risk of problems.

Anytime an incision is made, there is a probability that it will not seal properly,
leading to wound separation. Many factors such as bleeding, nicotine use, excessive
movement, steroid medication, uncontrolled blood sugar, hematoma, and infection
can contribute to poor wound healing. The surgical technique, the amount of
tension placed on the wound, and premature suture removal are also contributing
factors. If your wound separates, it may be possible to re-suture the incision
immediately (especially within 24 hours of surgery), otherwise your surgeon
may prefer to let it heal on its own without tension and then revise the scar
once it's healed.

Necrosis

Necrosis is the death of tissues and is generally caused by insufficient oxygen
reaching the affected areas. In most cases the risk of necrosis is barely there
but with higher risks plastic surgery procedures such as face lifts, tummy tucks,
and breast reductions, during which flaps are created separating the skin and
its blood supply from underlying structures, the possibility of necrosis is
at hand. The risk of necrosis increases with dramatically noticeable swelling.
Unsurprisingly, smokers have a higher incidence of necrosis due to blood vessel
constriction and a decreased oxygen supply. Signs of necrosis are a blue, purple,
or gray cast to the skin, and pain will be all too obvious. In its later stages,
the tissue will turn gray or black, and may smell or become infected. Necrosis
is generally treated at its earliest stages with therapy including relieving
compression by releasing sutures and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Nerve Damage

In extreme cases, nerve damage can occur from the surgery or simply from the
injection of anesthesia. If nerve damage occurs, you may notice numbness, tingling,
or changes in sensation. Weakness or paralysis to the affected muscles may be
noticeable after damage to nerves controlling muscle. Usually, any nerve damage
is temporary and sensation will return to normal within 6 months to a year,
although sometimes it can take 2 to 3 years for complete regeneration. As the
nerve regenerates, itching, shooting pains, or electrical shock sensations may
be experienced. If the nerve is severed completely then numbness and inability
to move the affected muscle is permanent. Reconstructive surgery to give support
to the affected muscle may be required.

Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia

Although some plastic surgery procedures do not require the use of anesthesia,
some of the more extensive procedures do require the use of general anesthetics.
Adverse reactions to anesthesia are generally rare but nevertheless complications
are still there. Risks differ depending on the individual with factors varying
from your health beforehand and the seriousness of your operation. Nausea is
relatively common and is treated with appropriate medication. Sore throat associated
with breathing tube placement is also quite common, but usually only lasts a
day or so. Of course, there are a number of infrequent, less serious complications,
such as pain and bruising at the site of injections, headaches, and dental damage.
These are usually easily treatable, get better quickly, and are also quite rare.
In very rare cases, adverse reactions could become serious with documented cases
of seizures and heart attacks and high temperatures leading to death. But overall,
most people do not suffer any complications.

Scarring

Scarring is one of the most common risks that people considering plastic surgery
should be aware of and is closely related to wound healing ability and suture
reactions. During the process of healing, visible thickening of the skin edges
and new red, bumps called granulation tissue form in and around the shrinking
wound resulting in a scar. For the following weeks and months following surgery,
healing around the scar tissue will usually diminish. However, if that is not
the case, scar remodeling can be performed to cha change a thick, red, raised
scar to a thin, flat, white scar over a period of months to years.

Most surgeons will try to hide incision lines in places where they aren't noticeable,
like under the crease of the breast in breast augmentation plastic surgery or
beneath the swimwear line in tummy tuck operations.

Nerve damage is a serious complication that people considering plastic surgery must be aware of. Some people who undergo plastic surgery will lose feeling in the area that was operated on while others may experience problems moving muscles in the area where the surgery was performed.