It’s well known that plastic surgery’s popularity is on the rise. It allows people to fix birth defects or other body issues, even helping celebrities maintain their looks as they age. But as more folks opt for these surgeries, we also see an increase in unfortunate side effects.
In fact, botched plastic surgery can lead to a whole range of problems, including serious health and mental issues. The cost of fixing these issues can be significant, both mentally and financially. So, let’s see what the most common complications of plastic surgery are:
1. **Hematoma**: This means blood clots forming under the skin due to bleeding. This can happen during and after the surgery. If untreated, it can lead to tissue death. Therefore, if a hematoma appears, either the patient will need surgery to remove the clot and stop the bleeding, or they will have to take special medication right away.
2. **Infection**: Symptoms such as fever, pain, and itching can appear a few days after the operation. Antibiotics can manage these symptoms and doesn’t usually affect the final result of the surgery.
3. **Scar Sealing**: It’s possible to get a noticeable scar after plastic surgery. However, placing cosmetic stitches in hidden areas help these scars fade over time.
4. **Implant Displacement**: This mainly happens when patients don’t follow postoperative recommendations, like not wearing compression garments. Fortunately, it’s often possible to reposition the implants without additional surgery.
5. **Deformation of Contours and Tissues**: This is typically due to errors during facial surgery. Inaccuracy from the surgeon can lead to shifted contours resulting from tissue movement in the area or small hematomas. This usually requires a secondary operation to correct.
6. **Blood Loss**: There’s a natural amount of blood loss in any surgery, but uncontrolled loss can lead to serious problems, like decreased blood pressure. Quick decisions and medical care are key to prevent extreme outcomes.
7. **Seroma**: This is when serum from your blood pools underneath the skin, causing swelling and pain. It can occur after any surgery, but it’s especially common after a tummy tuck. Doctors can often drain seromas with a needle, but they can come back, so stay cautious.
8. **Anesthesia Complications**: Anesthesia, which keeps you pain-free and maybe unconscious during surgery, can sometimes cause health issues including lung infections, stroke, heart attacks, and even death.
9. **General Dissatisfaction with the Appearance**: Some people are simply not happy with their surgery results. For instance, those with breast surgery might have contour or asymmetry issues, and those with facial surgery might be unhappy with the final look.
10. **Unsatisfactory Breast Enhancement**: Not all breast enhancement surgeries lead to the desired aesthetic. If the implants are chosen poorly or the operation is done improperly, the gel from the implant can leak into surrounding tissues, causing inflammation and pain.
In conclusion, if you’re considering plastic surgery, you need to be aware of both the benefits and risks. These complications are, unfortunately, more common these days due to the increasing number of surgeries. However, you can reduce your risk by thoroughly vetting your doctor’s credentials and the facility where you’ll be having the surgery. Always discuss potential complications with your doctor in detail and be prepared for them.
*The author, Sheetal Goswami, blogs for Tricity Institute of Plastic Surgery, a renowned medical center specializing in plastic, cosmetic surgery, and Hair Transplant in Punjab.*
**Tags**: Health, Plastic Surgery Complications
