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10 Most Common Complications of Plastic Surgery

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than $6.5 billion were spent in cosmetic surgery in 2019. This includes breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and many more. All the procedures that are aimed to change our appearance for the purpose of becoming better are becoming more and more popular.

However, just like any other surgical intervention, cosmetic surgery involves a certain degree of risk. It is crucially important to be aware of both, the benefits and risks that come along with cosmetic surgery. This article depicts the most complications that you can get exposed to after or during a cosmetic procedure.

Most Common Complications of Plastic Surgery
Credit: Pintrest.com

1. Hematoma

From a medical standpoint, hematoma is a pocket of blood that looks like a painful and large bruise. Studies show that one percent of people who undergo breast augmentation encounter this problem. Additionally, this is also a common complication after a facelift, which happens in one percent of patients. Facial plastic surgeons add that men are more prone to this problem than women.

You should keep in mind that you are running a risk of encountering hematoma in nearly all surgeries. In case if the collection of blood is growing rapidly, you might need to undergo additional surgery to drain the blood.

2. Seroma

Seroma happens when serum pools beneath the surface of the skin leading to swelling and pain. This is a common complication after any kind of surgery and it occurs in 15 to 30 percent of patients. Seroma can become infected, therefore they are often drained with a needle. By doing so, they can be effectively removed.

3. Blood Loss

Keep in mind that any type of surgery involves some blood loss. Although, there could also be uncontrolled blood loss, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure. Blood loss can occur during surgery on the operating as well as after the surgery.

4. Infection

In the vast majority of cases, facial plastic surgeons take precautions in terms of postoperative care for the purpose of reducing the risk of infection. However, infections still remain one of the most compilations of plastic surgery.

To be more specific, infections occur in one to three percent of people who make use of breast augmentation procedure. Apart from that, you can also get exposed to skin infection cellulitis after surgery. In case of severe infections, you might require IV antibiotics.

Most Common Complications of Plastic Surgery
Credit: Pintrest.com

5. Nerve Damage

Any type of surgery involves a risk of nerve damage. It is common to experience tingling and numbness after the plastic procedure and these can be signs of nerve damage. Normally, nerve damage is a temporary condition but sometimes it can also be permanent. Research depicts that most females experience a change in sensitivity after breast augmentation procedure and nearly 15 percent of them experience permanent modifications in nipple sensation.

6. Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT, which stands for deep vein thrombosis, is a health condition during which blood clots form in deep veins. Pulmonary embolism occurs when the aforementioned clots break off and travel to the lungs. It is worth mentioning that these complications are relatively uncommon but they can be fatal in some cases.

These complications affect only 0.09 percent of patients who undergo plastic surgery. People who undergo multiple procedures are more prone to these complications than people who have only one plastic procedure.

7. Organ Damage

You should be aware of the fact that liposuctions can be extremely traumatic for your internal organs. In cases where the surgical probe comes into contact with internal organs, punctures or visceral perforations can occur. Treatment of these injuries requires additional surgery. Some damages to the internal organs can be fatal.

8. Scarring

As you might know, surgeries involve a risk of scarring. Scars are extremely troubling since cosmetic surgery aims to improve the way you look and not the other way around. Some types of scars include hypertrophic scarring, smooth and hard keloid scars.

9. The Outcomes of Cosmetic Surgery

If you choose a professional and experienced facial plastic surgeon, you should not have any concerns about the outcomes of a procedure. However, recent studies indicate that there are women who are not satisfied with the results. For instance, patients who make use of breast augmentation might experience asymmetry or contouring issues.

Most Common Complications of Plastic Surgery
Credit: Pintrest.com

10. Complications Associated with Anesthesia

As far as you know, anesthesia is aimed to make a person unconscious. It helps patients to undergo surgery without feeling any pain during the procedure. Although, it is important to understand that general anesthesia can result in some complications including lung infections, heart attacks, stroke, and even death. There are also cases when people wake up in the middle of surgery. The most common risks associated with anesthesia include nausea and vomiting, shivering and waking up confused and disoriented.

The Bottom Line

Generally speaking, complications related to plastic surgery are very rare. A study conducted in 2018 showed that less than 1 percent of patients who made use of plastic surgery encountered complications.

You should also know that there is a group of people who are more prone to plastic surgery complications, including older adults, smokers, and people who suffer from obesity. The risk of the aforementioned complications can be eliminated or fully reduced if you choose the right facial plastic surgeon. Furthermore, it is vital to examine the facility where your plastic surgery will take place.

Make sure you are aware of all the complications that come along with your type of surgery. Do not forget to discuss all the concerns you have with your surgeon before the surgery takes place. By doing so, it becomes easier to manage expectations.


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