| Copyright (c) 2008 Dr. Robert Kenevan | | | | condition or from immobilization (which allows the |
| At the highest level of care, every surgery has risks | | | | blood to pool) such as pregnancy, international |
| as well as benefits. Every surgery contains some kind | | | | airplane flights, and recovery from surgery. They are |
| of risk even though complications are seldom and | | | | difficult to predict. To help prevent them, during |
| usually correctable. | | | | recovery do not stay in one position for too long and |
| Cosmetic surgery risks frequently have to do with | | | | to make sure that you are up, and walking around as |
| the patient's health and emotional well being. If a | | | | soon as possible after surgery. Compression |
| person is not physically healthy, or has a history of | | | | garments worn reduce the risk of DVT. |
| illness that might boost plastic surgery risks, they | | | | 6. Drop in Blood Pressure: Some decrease in blood |
| should be advised against having plastic surgery | | | | pressure is normal during surgery. However, a sudden |
| The 10 most common complications that may occur | | | | drop due to blood loss could lead to irregular heart |
| during and after surgery are: | | | | beat and other serious complications. |
| 1. Bleeding: Blood loss is normal with any procedure. | | | | 7. Aspiration: Aspiration occurs if you vomit during |
| However, if there is excessive bleeding, it can create | | | | surgery and the vomit is forced into the lungs. |
| major complications. If bleeding occurs after surgery, | | | | Aspiration can cause mild discomfort, and can also |
| it can accumulate under the skin and require an | | | | lead to infections, chronic cough, an obstruction in the |
| additional surgery. Discuss with your physician what | | | | lungs or pneumonia. This is why it is extremely |
| you can expect as far as bleeding and bruising. | | | | important to not eat prior to your surgery. |
| 2. Swelling: almost everyone experiences some | | | | 8. Skin Death or Necrosis: usually follows an infection, |
| swelling, which peaks at 48 hours and often | | | | or hematoma, and is much more likely among |
| significantly decreases after that point. | | | | smokers. The skin is excised (surgically removed) and |
| 3. Infection: Antibiotics reduce infection risk | | | | this may affect the cosmetic outcome. |
| dramatically. However, if infection does occur, it is | | | | 9. Slow or Delayed Healing: due to age, skin type, |
| very serious. People who smoke, take steroids or | | | | failure to follow doctor's advice or factors beyond |
| have certain vascular conditions are at greater risk. | | | | anyone's control. |
| The longer your surgery lasts and the more blood | | | | 10. Numbness/Tingling: often temporary, sometimes |
| you lose, the more likely you are to have an | | | | permanent loss of sensation. This results from injury |
| infection. | | | | to sensory or motor nerves. |
| 4. Seroma: a pocket of fluid that can collect under | | | | Although the risks and complications are rare, they |
| the skin and can occur after breast augmentation, | | | | can happen. That is why it is important to be honest |
| liposuction or a tummy tuck. | | | | with your cosmetic surgeon and disclose all and any |
| 5. Blood Clots (DVT): A blood clot in the veins can be | | | | information about your health, medications and any |
| fatal. They can occur as a result of a medical | | | | supplements you might be taking. |