Cosmetic Surgery Risks

cosmetic surgery risksWhile modern medical care is amazing, there are still risks associated with any cosmetic surgery procedure. While we can not provide a medical evaluation or recommendation and you should consult with your surgeon to be sure you are adequately educated as to the risks, some of the risks can include:

Anesthesia/Sedation Complications

Serious reactions can occur in some patients to the anesthesia or sedation used during cosmetic surgery. Most anesthetic complications occur with general anesthesia.

These complications can include but are not limited to:

  • Possible abnormal heart rhythms
  • Airway obstruction
  • Internal blood clots
  • Possible brain damage
  • Risk of death
  • Occurrence of heart attacks
  • Malignant hypothermia
  • Nerve damage
  • Stroke
  • Temporary paralysis

Anesthetic-Induced Upper Airway Obstruction

Anesthesia can sometimes cause a loss of muscle tone, causing the velopharynx to block the airway. This may require the anesthesiologist to insert a tube. The tube may either be inserted down the throat or through a cut into the windpipe. Factors that narrow the airway can increase the risk of this occurring. These factors can include obesity, bulbar muscle weakness and specific obstructive lesions such as nasal obstruction or adenotonsillar hypertrophy

Aspiration

If a patient vomits while under general anesthetic the vomit can end up in the lungs. This can result in coughing, pneumonia, and infection.

Asymmetry

Asymmetry is when both sides are not the same. If asymmetry is severe enough it may require additional surgery to correct.

Brain Damage

Brain damage can occur if blood circulation is depressed to dangerous levels. Possible causes can include lowered heart rate or sever blood loss.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis, sometimes referred to as DVT,is a blood clot in the veins. DVT can occur during recovery, and your physician may proscribe that you change positions and flex your legs and feet periodically, and may also include compression garments. Some cosmetic surgery procedures carry a greater risk of DVT, specifically liposuction to lower extremities.

Excessive Blood Loss

With any surgical procedure some bleeding is expected. Excess bleeding can result in severe complications. Your anesthesiologist and surgeon will monitor for this. If blood loss occurs after surgery it may require intervention in the form of surgically stopping the bleeding.

Infection

You physician my proscribe antibiotics during recovery. Infection risk is normally less than one percent. Infection can be serious, especially with the newer drug resistant Staff strains becoming more prevalent. Infection can lead to skin necrosis that may require additional surgery

Loss of Feeling

Injury to sensory or motor nerves can cause temporary and/or permanent loss of feeling.

Low Blood Pressure
An extreme drop in blood pressure can in some cases result in heart attack.

Malignant Hyperthermia

Malignant Hyperthermia is an inherited condition the causes raised body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate to hyperactive levels when a person is placed under general anesthesia. Without treatment it can lead to death.

Seroma

Seroma (or fluid buildup) is a pocket of clear serous fluid that can develop after surgery. Repeated skin punctures are used to drain the fluid. Some cosmetic plastic surgery procedures carry a greater risk of seroma than others, specifically face lifts, breast augmentation and breast reduction.

NOTE: Be sure to discuss these possible complications, what your cosmetic surgeon does to mitigate them, and what facilities are available at the surgery center your surgery will be performed at to respond to these possible issues. This list is an example of some possible issues that can occur, but is in no way a complete list. Consult your physician for a complete list of risks associated with the procedure you are considering.