Top 3 most common plastic surgery complications

Many people get scared when it comes to deciding whether to go under the knife to enhance their aesthetic appearances. This is a completely natural feeling because plastic surgery is a major operation that has many risks. It is also very important to understand that plastic surgery is an elective operation, which requires judicious decision. It is never wise to go for plastic surgery in a rush.

Plastic surgery involves many risks and potential complications. Thus, it is advisable for patients to carefully weigh the risks vis-à-vis the expected benefits of every plastic surgery procedure before deciding to go under the knife. The risks and complications may vary from one procedure to another in terms of the probability of it occurring and how intense it can be. Moreover, the risks may differ for each patient depending on their health and medications history.

Listed below are the top 3 common plastic surgery complications that may occur after majority plastic surgery procedures:

1. Hematoma – A hematoma is a condition marked by the creation of a pocket of blood similar to a huge bruise. The condition is very painful and tends to occur mostly after breast enhancement and facelift procedures. If the hematoma is severe, it can be life threatening. Pain and discomforts from a hematoma can be managed with pain relievers like Tylenol. In order to treat the hematoma, your surgeon may use surgical drainage. However, the treatment depends on where the hematoma has occurred. If the condition is severe, an additional surgery may be done for treatment.
2. Nerve damage – While the risk of nerve damage is common in all forms of surgeries, it is more common in plastic surgery. If you experience coldness and itchiness in the surgical area after the procedure, make sure to contact your surgeon because they can be indications of nerve damage. It is important to understand that some plastic surgery procedures, like tummy tuck and liposuction, can be highly invasive, which can increase the risk of nerve damage. Nerve damage is also common in breast enhancement procedures. Many breast augmentation patients have experienced loss of nipple sensation as a result of nerve damage. When nerve damage occurs, interventions like the use of sutures or an additional surgery may be required to fix the condition.
3. Infection – Like other surgeries, infection after plastic surgery is a common complication. While the surgeon may take proper care during the surgery, the surgical wound can still contract infections during the recovery period. In rare cases, infections can be severe and life threatening, especially when they are internal.

Should you experience a rise in your temperature, or have nausea, vomiting, or discharge from the surgical area, it is important to contact your surgeon because these are common signs of infection. In order to prevent potential infections, your plastic surgeon may prescribe you antibiotics before and after the surgery. Make sure to take the antibiotics on time and for the recommended period. If a severe infection occurs after plastic surgery, an IV antibiotic administration may be necessary. Therefore, it is important to immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms to avoid further complications.