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Introduction to the Risks of Plastic Surgery
Bleeding and Hematoma
Infection
Seroma
Suture Reactions
Skin Reactions
Wound Separation
Necrosis
Nerve Damage
Anesthesia
Scarring
Introduction to the Risks of Plastic Surgery
No surgery is risk free, but fortunately, in the hands
of an experienced surgeon, complications are seldom
and usually correctable. Your plastic surgeon can and
should do several things to minimize your chances of
unwanted results.
He or she will screen you carefully to make sure you're
physically and emotionally a good candidate for cosmetic
surgery.
You'll be asked to stop medications before surgery
that can promote bleeding, and in some cases, your doctor
will require you to obtain medical clearance from your
primary care physician to make certain that it is safe
to proceed.
Your surgeon will also give you specific pre- and post-operative
instructions that are carefully designed to minimize
your risk of complications. While serious complications
are rare, they do occur from time to time, even with
the most careful plastic surgeons under the strictest
conditions.
With any operation during which the skin is cut, a
scar will inevitably form. To learn all about the tendency
to scar, please read the scars
and healing section.
Bleeding and hematomas (blood collections under the
skin), infections, or seromas (fluid collections under
the skin) are possible complications of surgery, and
are usually easily treated when discovered early.
Skin rashes or reactions to the sutures or anesthesia
are also possible complications of plastic surgery.
These primary complications when unidentified or left
untreated can lead to wound separation, sloughing of
the skin or death of deeper tissues.
Finally, damage to nerves may result in changes in
sensation of the skin or movement of the affected muscles.
There may be additional risks that are specific to each
procedure. (For more details, please read about specific
procedures).
Those with the least risk of complications are in excellent
health, abide by medication guidelines given by their
plastic surgeon, and strictly adhere to pre- and post-operative
instructions.
To Next Section - Bleeding
and Hematoma, Infection, and Seroma
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