Plastic surgery — risks

Plastic surgery is traditionally divided into two categories: corrective and aesthetic. Regardless of the reason for treatment, the risks of surgery are the same as with any other surgical procedure. Before undergoing surgery, it is advisable for the patient to gather information about the course of the surgery, the recovery process, and the side effects of the procedure. A skilled, ethically acting plastic surgeon always addresses the risks of the surgery during the consultation.

Risks associated with all surgical procedures:

Delayed healing

Some medications and supplements may affect or slow down the healing process. Infections and various tissue changes are possible. The recovery of diabetics may be slower than normal, as well as patients who use anabolic steroids. Smoking slows down recovery.

Other risks of surgery include swelling, bleeding, and changes in skin color. In some situations, the surgery may take longer than estimated, and the recovery time may also be prolonged. It is possible that after the initial procedure, further adjustments may be needed through additional surgery. Sometimes surgery may not achieve the goals set by the patient.

Mild sensory changes are also associated with all surgeries. Usually, lymphatic therapy gradually helps with these. All postoperative pain should be discussed with the operating physician before the procedure.

Bleeding

In rare cases, bleeding may occur during surgery and recovery. In some cases, bleeding may need to be treated in the hospital. However, severe bleeding is rare. Physical exertion may cause severe bleeding, which may require additional surgery to treat. Bleeding may also be caused by supplements and some medications, such as Warfarin or aspirin-based pain relievers. These should be stopped 10 days before the procedure and can be resumed only 10 days after the surgery. It is essential to follow the postoperative instructions carefully.

Hematomas usually occur within the first three weeks after surgery. It is possible for hematomas to occur later as well.

In rare cases, blood loss may require a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions carry a risk of HIV infection, for example.

Infections

Infections after surgery are rare. In some situations, infections may need to be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes infections need to be treated in the hospital. It is important to inform the operating physician of any infections, such as paronychia, insect bite-induced infections, and urinary tract infections.

Scar formation

Scars form after every surgery. Some scars are visible, while others are invisible. Sometimes scars are larger and more visible than expected. Scars may have different colors than the surrounding skin. Scars may be asymmetrical: a scar on one side of the body may be larger or more visible than on the other side. It is also possible for sutures to leave marks on the skin.

Tightness may be felt in the skin after surgery. This may be due to scar tissue within the skin. The formation of scars cannot always be predicted. Sometimes scars need to be removed through further surgery.

Sensory disturbances

Sensory disturbances in the skin are possible after surgery. In rare cases, sensation may not return to a particular area at all.

Itching, increased sensitivity, and sensations of cold/hot may increase after surgery. Most often, these symptoms disappear over time. In some cases, sensory disturbances remain permanent.

Uneven skin

Irregularities may form in the surgical area. These irregularities may be visible. Sometimes folds may form at the edges of the surgical incision. Usually, these correct themselves over time. In some situations, these may need to be corrected with further surgery.

Swelling and discoloration

Bruising and swelling are common after surgery. Sometimes the skin in the surgical area may have discolorations: the skin may be darker or lighter than elsewhere on the body. Almost always, these color changes disappear on their own. It is rare but possible for them to become permanent.

Separation of wound edges

The wound may open after surgery. An open wound may need to be repaired in the hospital.

Skin irritation caused by sutures

Some sutures are often located inside the skin. In some situations, the suture becomes visible through the skin. Sometimes sutures inside the tissue cause skin irritation.

Delayed wound healing

Wound healing may take longer than expected. In this case, dressings may need to be changed more frequently than usual. Circulation disorders sometimes affect wound healing. Previous radiation therapy or surgeries may disrupt blood circulation in tissues. In this case, wound healing may be slow. The above factors may also affect the surgical outcome.

Smoking slows wound healing and may lead to skin necrosis.

Deep tissue damage

All surgical procedures involve the following risks: nerve damage, vascular damage, muscle damage, and lung damage. The risk of these varies depending on the type of surgery. Damage to deep tissues may be temporary or permanent.

Fat necrosis

Necrosis may occur in deep fat tissues. Necrosis feels like a hard, firm area under the skin. Sometimes surgery may be necessary in such situations. The visible unevenness on the skin surface may be due to fat necrosis.

Seroma

After surgery, blood clots dissolve. When the clot dissolves, a cavity is formed. In some rare situations, seroma may develop in the tissues, which secrete tissue fluid into the cavity formed. This fluid may need to be drained.

Anesthesia-related risks

Both local anesthesia and general anesthesia involve risks. These risks should be discussed with the treating physician before surgery.

Shock

In some rare situations, surgery may cause serious injuries. These risks are usually associated with major surgeries. Serious complications are extremely rare, but it is possible that severe bleeding or infections may lead to serious injuries, even death. If a surgical patient goes into shock, they are taken to the emergency room.

Pain

Postoperative pain is common. The intensity and duration of pain are individual. Chronic pain conditions are rare. They may be due to nerves attached to scar tissue or stretching of tissues.

Complications related to the heart and lungs

Complications related to the lungs may be due to blood clots or the lungs not functioning normally after general anesthesia. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening in some cases. If the patient does not move at all after surgery, immobility may be followed by a potentially fatal blood clot. The operating physician must be informed of any previous blood clots or if the legs swell easily. The risk of heart complications is also associated with all surgeries and anesthesia methods. These do not always involve previous heart symptoms. If shortness of breath, chest pain, or unusual arrhythmias occur after surgery, immediate hospitalization is necessary.

Allergic reactions

In some rare situations, tapes, suture materials, adhesives, or other materials used in surgery may cause allergic reactions. The body may react severely to medications used. Systemic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock, are possible but rare complications.

Body asymmetry

The body is not always symmetrical after surgery. Usually, in these situations, there has been asymmetry in the body before surgery, and asymmetry is emphasized when examining the results of surgery. In some cases, asymmetry bothers the patient so much that they need to seek a new procedure.

Permanent swelling

In some cases, the legs may remain swollen for a long time or permanently after surgery.

Dissatisfaction with the surgical outcome

A good surgical outcome is always the goal of both the treating physician and the patient. It is possible that the surgery is successful but the patient is still not satisfied with the result or the course of the recovery process. In some situations, when a patient is dissatisfied with the outcome of the first surgery, they may seek a new procedure.

OTHER

Inform the operating physician of all medications and supplements you are taking.

The surgical area should be carefully protected from UV radiation after surgery.

Traveling or starting hobbies may not always be possible immediately after surgery.

The body ages and functions normally even after surgery. Surgery does not affect future aging changes, weight fluctuations, or hormonal changes.

Piercings in the surgical area may cause infections.

Female patients should inform the operating physician about contraceptive pills, estrogen supplements, or possible pregnancy. Some medications used during or after surgery may affect the effectiveness of contraceptives.

Active sex life (increase in heart rate and physical exertion) may sometimes slow down recovery. It is advisable to follow the doctor’s instructions when resuming sexual activity.

Aesthetic procedures are always voluntary. The patient should have realistic expectations of the surgical outcome. Appearance improves but does not become perfect. Sometimes unexpected complications occur during surgery. The surgical outcome may be worse than expected. If you have had psychiatric disorders, depression, or other mental health conditions, inform the operating physician. Most often, the mood of the surgical patient improves after surgery. Sometimes the effects of the procedure on the psyche are surprising, even negative.

It is essential to follow all postoperative instructions carefully.