Plastic surgery is supposed to change people’s lives for the better, but undergoing one of these surgical procedures also carries some risk. Even though plastic surgery usually results in little to no complications for most people, it’s still important to be aware of the possible dangers of plastic surgery so that patients can make the best decisions of how or if they wish to proceed with their procedures.

Infection

Surgical wounds can become infected with germs and bacteria. If an infection happens, healing time may be prolonged, and there could also be more severe complications that will require a patient to go to the hospital. The risk of infection increases even more if patients fail to take care of their surgical wounds properly as they heal.

Hemorrhaging

Some bleeding should be expected while recovering, but a surgical wound that continues to bleed uncontrollably should be considered a medical emergency. In addition, the bleeding may worsen if a patient tries to resume normal activities too soon and hasn’t given their surgical areas enough time to heal properly.

Blood Clots

Harmful blood clots could form as a surgical wound heals and cause potentially fatal complications if they become dislodged from the wound site and travel to other parts of the body. In addition, blood clots are known to interfere with breathing and can damage organs.

Damage to Nerves

The cutting that’s involved in cosmetic surgery can cause nerve damage that is sometimes irreversible. Nerve damage can result in numbness, chronic pain, or an inability to control certain parts of the body. Some people with nerve damage also lose the ability to feel hot and cold sensations. In severe cases, nerve damage can even cause paralysis.

Tissue Death

Often referred to as necrosis, tissue death can occur after plastic surgery if blood circulation has been stopped to a certain area of the body. However, not all cases of necrosis are cause for a lot of concern if the tissue death is minimal, and the condition may resolve itself as the body continues to heal.

Anesthesia Complications

In addition to the surgery itself, some patients experience adverse reactions to the anesthesia used to numb the surgical area and induce sleep throughout the procedure. An allergy to anesthesia can cause severe nausea, and the patient may not start feeling ill until after they wake up from surgery. In some severe but rare cases, anesthesia can cause death.

The risks and rewards should be weighed carefully when deciding to undergo plastic surgery. Qualified cosmetic surgeons can explain these risks in more detail and help patients make the best decisions about their care.