Plastic Surgery Risks and Complications
All surgical procedures can carry certain risks, whether it is general surgery or plastic surgery. Disclosing possible risks and complications is a standard part of the surgery process.
While many complications are minor, some complications can require treatment or further surgery.
On this page, we will outline the general risks of surgical procedures, the specific risks of certain types of procedures and how risks can be minimised.
Before undergoing any surgery, our patients have a consultation at Aesthetic Edge Sydney to discuss the details of the procedure, including possible risks. We also highly recommend carefully reading the ASPS Guide for your specific procedure and the informed consent documents.
Should you have any questions about the potential risks and complications of surgery and how we aim to minimise these at Aesthetic Edge, please feel free to contact our team.
Managing Risks of Plastic Surgery at Aesthetic Edge
Based in Sydney, Dr Jeremy Hunt and Dr Maryam Seyedabadi are extensively trained surgeons. With their high level of experience, they implement sterility and surgical techniques to minimise risks when performing plastic surgery. In the case that complications occur, our team is committed to handling them promptly.
General Plastic Surgery Risks and Complications
Some risks are not specific to any one type of procedure, as they are general risks of most types of plastic surgery.
Experienced and qualified plastic surgeons are familiar with these risks and can follow careful steps to minimise or treat them.
General plastic surgery risks include:
- Wound infection: Wound infection can occur if the wound is exposed to bacteria. If left untreated, infection can cause damage to the tissues and skin. Symptoms of infection can include redness, pain, pus and leakage (yellow or white fluid), and delayed healing. The risk of infection can be minimised by following strict sterility techniques and promptly treating the infection with antibiotics. In some cases of infection, surgical debridement may also be required to remove any dead (necrotic) tissue.
- Seroma (internal fluid collection): Seroma occurs when a collection of fluid or lymph accumulates beneath the skin in the wound. Lymph is present in our body’s tissue to nourish cells. Sometimes, surgical procedures can damage lymph vessels, causing lymph to leak in the area. Symptoms of seroma include pain, a sensation of pressure, a visible bump in the area, or clear drainage from the wound. Seroma is typically a mild complication that your surgeon can treat by draining the fluid in the area with a syringe.
- Haematoma (internal blood collection): Similar to seroma, haematoma occurs when blood collects within the wound. However, haematoma often heals by itself, with the blood draining naturally. Symptoms are similar to seroma, which includes pain, a feeling of pressure, a noticeable bump or drainage of blood. Sometimes, haematoma may need to be addressed by draining the collected blood with a syringe.
- Wound dehiscence (when sutures break): Rarely, sutures can break and fail to close the wound. If it does occur, it needs prompt treatment, which can include re-suturing the wound and taking antibiotics (as it can sometimes be associated with infection). During recovery, avoiding strenuous exercise can help to prevent this complication.
- Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis/DVT): Blood clots can occur due to a lack of blood circulation when the body is not moving often enough after a procedure. Blood can clot inside the vessels, more commonly in the legs. This is why light walking is often encouraged after surgery – however, some procedures can be more extensive and require a longer period of bed rest. Blood clots can also be prevented by wearing compression garments. Symptoms of blood clots can include pain, swelling, a sensation of warmth in the area and redness. Blood clots are a more serious risk of surgery that requires immediate treatment. Treatment typically involves taking prescribed blood-thinning medications.
- Anaesthesia complications: Risks of general anaesthesia can include allergic reaction, issues with blood pressure, respiration or the cardiovascular system, malignant hyperthermia and trauma to the teeth, mouth, and throat due to intubation. During surgery, anaesthesia is closely monitored by an anaesthetist, who will be present throughout the entire procedure. Complications are typically promptly handled during the procedure if they do occur.
- Scarring (including keloid and hypertrophic scarring): Scarring is a possibility whenever a procedure uses incisions, which is typically most surgical procedures. The visibility of scarring will depend on the placement of the incisions, as well as the patient’s individual healing. Some patients are genetically prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring, which can cause more prominent scars. While scars can fade after surgery and become less noticeable, treatment options can include skin treatments (such as laser therapy), steroid injections and sometimes scar removal surgery.
Risks and Complications of Each Procedure
Different types of plastic surgery procedures can have their own possible complications, depending on the area the procedure is treating and the method used.
As with the general risks of surgery, plastic surgeons are highly familiar with these potential risks and will take precautions to minimise risks or promptly treat complications should they occur.
You will have a consultation about your specific procedure that will provide you with detailed information on the possible risks and complications.
1. Body Lift Procedures
Body lift procedures include: Back lifts, thigh lifts (thighplasty), abdominoplasty and arm lifts (brachioplasty).
Body lift procedures can be extensive, removing a moderate to significant amount of tissue and skin. Sometimes, the procedures can also include liposuction to remove fat pockets.
Specific risks: Since the procedures focus on removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin, a specific risk is a loss of touch sensation in the area. Losing touch sensation can be temporary or permanent.
2. Liposuction Procedures
Liposuction procedures include: Liposuction performed as a standalone procedure or combined with other procedures, such as body lift procedures.
Liposuction is performed by using a thin catheter to suction out fat pockets from beneath the skin. It is not a weight loss procedure but rather a procedure designed to target isolated areas of fat.
Specific risks: The procedure involves the insertion of a thin catheter, which can pose the risk of internal organ injury. This rare complication can be minimised by selecting a qualified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure, but it will require immediate intervention should it occur.
3. Breast Procedures
Breast procedures include: Breast augmentation (mammoplasty), breast lift (mastopexy), and breast reduction (mammaplasty).
Breast procedures may or may not include the use of breast implants, which can be associated with specific risks. The procedures can also involve addressing the nipple and areolae, which can also be linked to other potential complications.
Specifically with breast implants, complications often occur years after the initial procedure.
Specific risks of breast implants: Breast implants can be associated with capsular contracture, malposition or rotation, and rupture. Very rarely, breast implant illness can also occur, as well as an even rarer complication called Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
Capsular contracture occurs when a scar capsule forms around the implant and hardens, which can cause pain and distort the procedure’s results. It typically needs to be addressed with a revision procedure to remove the affected implant and the scar capsule (capsulectomy). Some patients then may like to have the breast implants replaced with new implants during the procedure.
Malposition or rotation occurs when the breast implant moves from its original position, distorting the results and causing asymmetry. Rotation is not typically a risk with round implants, as their shape stays the same regardless of whether or not they rotate, but it can be a risk of shaped or anatomical (teardrop) implants. Treatment typically involves a revision procedure to remove or replace the implants.
Rupture occurs when a tear or hole is formed in the implant, causing leakage of the inside materials or causing the implants to deflate. Rupture can occur at any time, but the risk generally increases over time. Ruptured implants need to be removed and/or replaced with a revision procedure.
Breast implant illness is quite rare and is thought to be associated with breast implants. However, it is still being researched. The symptoms are quite broad, including fatigue or trouble sleeping, clouded thinking or “brain fog,” and joint pain. It has been suggested that it occurs in those susceptible to inflammation around the implant. Breast implant illness needs to be treated by removing the breast implants during a revision surgery.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a very rare complication characterised by a type of cancer that comes from the immune cells around the implant. The complication is thought to only be linked to textured breast implants, which is why some surgeons now only offer procedures with smooth implants. Some types of textured implants are also now banned in Australia. Treatment can involve removing the implants, explantation, and/or an en bloc capsulectomy (removing surrounding scar tissue along with the implant). After treatment, the complication may also be followed up by imaging tests. Very rarely, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary if the cancer has spread. However, prompt treatment and follow-up appointments can prevent this from occurring.
Other specific risks of breast surgery: Other risks can include nerve injury, inability to breastfeed, and pneumothorax.
Nerve injury can cause a loss of sensation in the nipples or the skin on the breasts. It can be temporary or permanent.
An inability to breastfeed can be caused by damage to the milk ducts during a breast procedure. A high attention to detail during the procedure is taken to avoid damaging the milk ducts. Your surgeon may also recommend waiting until you have completed your family before undergoing breast surgery, depending on the type of breast procedure you are interested in.
Pneumothorax is characterised by the damage caused to the lungs during the procedure, which causes an air leak within the chest cavity. If it does occur, it can be treated during or after the procedure by placing a chest tube or hollow needle to allow the air to escape.
4. Facial Procedures
Facial procedures include: Facelift (rhytidectomy), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), and nose surgery (rhinoplasty).
Since each facial procedure specifically targets certain areas of the face, the possible risks are generally associated with complications that can occur in the specific area. For example, complications that can occur around the eyes or in the nose.
Specific risks of eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): While risks are rare and can be avoided by choosing a highly qualified plastic surgeon, risks can occur if the eyelids have been over-lifted or over-tightened, or if injury is caused to the eye muscles or nerves. These risks can include an inability to fully close the eyes, overexposure of the conjunctiva (the inner red part of the eye), issues with eye movement, vision problems, asymmetry and eye irritation or dryness.
Specific risks of a facelift (rhytidectomy): During a facelift, facial nerve injury can occur, which can cause muscle weakness, affect facial expression and/or cause asymmetry. The facial nerve also supplies the muscles of part of the tongue. High attention to detail and a high skill level are needed to avoid this complication, which can be achieved by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon.
Specific risks of nose surgery (rhinoplasty): Nose surgery is one of the most common procedures and is associated with rare complications. These complications can include difficulty breathing (due to a narrowing of the nasal passage), nasal septal perforation, or a temporary or permanent altered sensation. These complications can commonly be addressed with a revision procedure, referred to as a revision rhinoplasty.
Minimising Plastic Surgery Risks
The highly experienced plastic surgeons at Aesthetic Edge Sydney are familiar with the risks of plastic surgery. Through extensive training, they have the skills needed to minimise and prevent complications, as well as identify and promptly treat them should they occur.
As a patient, there are also some steps you can take to help in minimising your plastic surgery risks. These include:
1. Carefully Selecting Your Plastic Surgeon
First, make sure that you choose a qualified plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are sufficiently qualified to perform the procedures that they offer and have undergone extensive training.
Be careful to avoid selecting a surgeon who does not hold the title of a plastic surgeon. You should also be able to read about your plastic surgeon’s experience and qualifications on their website.
2. Following Your Personalised Recovery Instructions
After your procedure, you will be provided with recovery instructions focused on your personal needs. You should always follow these, as they are specifically designed to best support your body as you heal.
Recovery instructions can involve quitting smoking (often for at least four weeks), sleeping in certain positions (to avoid putting pressure on the area and to reduce swelling), keeping the surgical wound clean and dry, taking and avoiding certain medications, wearing a compression garment and follow a healthy diet.
3. Minimising Activity Levels
As part of your recovery instructions, you will typically need to minimise your activity levels during your recovery. The amount of rest you will need depends on the type of procedure you have undergone. This can be anywhere from one to six weeks.
You’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise, sports, heavy lifting and other physically demanding activities. Gradually, throughout your recovery, you will be able to slowly increase your activity levels.
While minimising activity levels, it will be highly important to at least do some light walking during your recovery. Your surgeon will advise you on when you can start walking, but it will generally be as soon as possible. Light walking will help to promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. We generally recommend getting up and moving around for at least a few minutes every half an hour, ensuring that your body is moving regularly.
4. Attending Follow-Up Appointments
Finally, attending your post-surgical follow-up appointments will be an extremely important part of managing risks.
Your appointments will allow your surgeon to monitor your healing and identify any complications should they occur. Promptly identifying any complications means prompt treatment, which can prevent any further complications or the worsening of your condition.
Your surgeon will let you know when these appointments will be scheduled, as it can vary depending on the type of procedure.
If you have any questions about the risks and complications of plastic surgery, please get in touch with our team.