Although the risks and dangers of plastic surgery are alleviated, even experts are uncertain if and when something will go wrong. The risks involved with the procedure normally differ from one person to another, as well as the type of procedure performed and the medical history of the patient should be highly considered prior to the procedure. For example, individuals suffering from diabetes or those who smoke heavily are susceptible to the dangers of the procedure.
The most common dangers and risks of plastic surgery include the following:
Bleeding
Bleeding can be considered as a regular phenomenon during the first few hours of the surgery but this can sometimes lead to complications. Blood clotting and the accumulation of blood underneath the skin can cause hematoma. This is when the overlaying skin appears purplish or bluish in color. The area operated may experience pain that reduces gradually once the body's anti-clotting mechanism begins to address the area and reabsorb the blood that accumulated on the skin.
Infections
During the surgical procedure, the patient becomes susceptible to secondary infections due to the open wound that can be easily accessed by viral or bacterial pathogens through the drain or suture sites. This is the primary reason why antibiotic supplements are usually provided after plastic surgery. Some of the signs of infection are inflammation within the local area, fever, thick yellowish or white fluid discharge and foul odor.
Seromas
There are certain cases of seromas that may look like hematomas. In this, tissue fluid accumulates instead of blood. Seromas normally occur during tissue removal and are identified by increased weight, enlargement and sloshing of fluids that can be treated through drainage or compression.
Scarring
This is known as the most common risk involve in the procedure. Scarring is closely related to the wound healing and suture reaction capabilities of the body. During the healing process, the skin thickens and form granular tissues. For example, with the tummy tuck procedure, the sutures are placed under the swing wear line. For breast augmentation, incision lines are usually hidden under the crease of the breasts.
Necrosis
This is the death of the tissues, which is usually due to the insufficient amount of oxygen. Necrosis is rare in most plastic surgery procedures, but the risk is high in breast reductions, facelifts, and tummy tucks and this normally comes with sudden inflammation. Smokers are highly susceptible to such risk due to the constriction of the blood vessels or insufficient supply of oxygen. This, on the other hand, can be treated during its early stages through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Nerve Damage
In extreme cases, nerve damage may also occur and this is characterized by tingling sensation and numbness. This risk may last for a year where paralysis or weakness of certain muscles can be experienced, in case the affected nerve is related to muscle movement. Nerve damage can be treated through reconstructive surgery.
Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia
There are some risks associated with the use of anesthesia as well, although such risks are very rare and depends on certain factors like the seriousness of the procedure and health of the patient. Adverse reactions to anesthesia are characterized by nausea and sore throat.
If you can familiarize yourself with these risks and possible damages due to plastic surgery, you can easily determine whether you should go through it or not. It is also necessary to discuss these with your physician for recommendations and suggestions.
I personally would have a long an in-depth conversation with my partner about this as well just to be sure I have their support - no matter what the outcome from the surgery would be. On that note though, I would avoid risky cosmetic surgeries at all cost and go the natural route if at all possible. More on that in my "Miro Verve Review" post though.
The most common dangers and risks of plastic surgery include the following:
Bleeding
Bleeding can be considered as a regular phenomenon during the first few hours of the surgery but this can sometimes lead to complications. Blood clotting and the accumulation of blood underneath the skin can cause hematoma. This is when the overlaying skin appears purplish or bluish in color. The area operated may experience pain that reduces gradually once the body's anti-clotting mechanism begins to address the area and reabsorb the blood that accumulated on the skin.
Infections
During the surgical procedure, the patient becomes susceptible to secondary infections due to the open wound that can be easily accessed by viral or bacterial pathogens through the drain or suture sites. This is the primary reason why antibiotic supplements are usually provided after plastic surgery. Some of the signs of infection are inflammation within the local area, fever, thick yellowish or white fluid discharge and foul odor.
Seromas
There are certain cases of seromas that may look like hematomas. In this, tissue fluid accumulates instead of blood. Seromas normally occur during tissue removal and are identified by increased weight, enlargement and sloshing of fluids that can be treated through drainage or compression.
Scarring
This is known as the most common risk involve in the procedure. Scarring is closely related to the wound healing and suture reaction capabilities of the body. During the healing process, the skin thickens and form granular tissues. For example, with the tummy tuck procedure, the sutures are placed under the swing wear line. For breast augmentation, incision lines are usually hidden under the crease of the breasts.
Necrosis
This is the death of the tissues, which is usually due to the insufficient amount of oxygen. Necrosis is rare in most plastic surgery procedures, but the risk is high in breast reductions, facelifts, and tummy tucks and this normally comes with sudden inflammation. Smokers are highly susceptible to such risk due to the constriction of the blood vessels or insufficient supply of oxygen. This, on the other hand, can be treated during its early stages through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Nerve Damage
In extreme cases, nerve damage may also occur and this is characterized by tingling sensation and numbness. This risk may last for a year where paralysis or weakness of certain muscles can be experienced, in case the affected nerve is related to muscle movement. Nerve damage can be treated through reconstructive surgery.
Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia
There are some risks associated with the use of anesthesia as well, although such risks are very rare and depends on certain factors like the seriousness of the procedure and health of the patient. Adverse reactions to anesthesia are characterized by nausea and sore throat.
If you can familiarize yourself with these risks and possible damages due to plastic surgery, you can easily determine whether you should go through it or not. It is also necessary to discuss these with your physician for recommendations and suggestions.
I personally would have a long an in-depth conversation with my partner about this as well just to be sure I have their support - no matter what the outcome from the surgery would be. On that note though, I would avoid risky cosmetic surgeries at all cost and go the natural route if at all possible. More on that in my "Miro Verve Review" post though.
