Plastic surgery is the world's most popular medical procedure. People of all ethnicities and from all walks of life go under the knife for aesthetically enhancing modifications. But the truth is, whether it be cosmetic, a simple medical procedure or even just a quick dental procedure, all surgeries present possibilities for serious complications.
In addition to the potential risks associated with anesthesia, several other risks are inherent to plastic surgery. One is the ever frightful risk of unsatisfactory or unnatural looking results. This mostly occurs when a patient undergoes cosmetic surgery, e.g., a nose job. Another potential risk is scarring. Scarring is not always predictable, but can be controlled in most cases. It is also likely that nerves become damaged or severed during a surgical procedure. The result is more obvious, however, if it is a facial nerve. A hematoma could also develop after surgery; this typically results in an area being swollen and bruised in appearance, with a pocket of blood beneath and can be extremely painful. Tissue death, or necrosis, is another risk which can be caused by surgery or by issues that arise after the procedure. As with any surgical procedure, bleeding can and will occur. Bleeding becomes an issue when it is excessive, or continues after the wound should have healed. A blood clot is a common risk of many procedures, not just cosmetic surgeries. The most common type is a deep vein thrombosis or DVT, a clot that develops in the leg. Most DVTs require medical attention but are not life-threatening unless the clot begins to move through the veins toward the heart and lungs. And lastly, the most devastating of all possible risks is the risk of death. While that risk may be less than one percent, it's possible for death to occur during the most minor of surgeries. In many cases, this is due to a reaction to anesthesia.
Like any surgery, the patient has the ability to reduce the risk of complications. The best way to reduce the risk of a bad outcome is to choose the surgeon who performs the procedure wisely. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, are extremely important before surgery, as non-smokers heal faster and have less scarring. Some plastic surgeons will not perform surgery on current smokers because the final outcome may not be as good. In addition, eating a healthy diet before and after the procedure can speed healing and improve wound closure, which also minimizes scarring.
Plastic surgery, however, is a unique type of surgery. Not only because it mainly focuses on the surface of the body, but also because the procedure is usually done in an atmosphere far different from that of a hospital. Many of these procedures are done in surgery centers or in an operating suite in the physician's office, where if a patient was to need immediate medical attention, emergency technicians would not be readily available.
Unfortunately, for most patients, this isn't a serious concern. In fact, just recently in Florida, four convicted felons ran services that became assembly lines for patients from across the country seeking the hottest body sculpting procedures at discount prices. And at those businesses, at least 13 women died after surgery. Almost a dozen others were hospitalized with critical injuries, including punctured internal organs.
The state health department was notified about casualties. Government inspectors cited the clinics for serious violations, including dirty operating rooms and sales agents with no medical licenses determining the appropriate surgeries for patients. Plastic surgery experts warned lawmakers to take control of the centers by screening owners and boosting regulation.
