Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery
General Risks
There may be discolouration of the skin (bruising) for several weeks.
There may be scattered areas of numbness over the operated area following surgery which may persist for an indefinite period of time.
The Procedure may not give the expected result even though the Procedure is carried out with due professional care.
In all surgical procedures, including cosmetic surgery, there are many unforeseen problems that could occur statistically.
Scars which are permanent require an indefinite period of time to soften, fade and look their best; usually six months to one year.
All surgery leaves scars, some more visible than others. Although good wound healing after a Procedure is expected, abnormal scars may occur within both the skin and deeper tissues. Scars may be unattractive and of a darker colour than surrounding skin tone. Additional treatments, including surgery, may be needed to treat scarring.
Infection is uncommon, however, should an infection occur, treatment including antibiotics or additional surgery may be necessary.
Deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles may be damaged during the course of the surgery. The potential for this to occur varies with where in the face and body surgery is being performed. Injury to deeper structures may be temporary or permanent.
Any special conditions (including medical) I may have, such as high blood pressure etc. can increase my risk of undesirable side effects
Aesthetic or Cosmetic Surgery has risks and complications like all invasive procedures.
Dr Jack Zoumaras as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is trained and experienced to manage any risks where possible. As a experienced Plastic Surgeon with over 10 years of experience in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery the risks of any procedure mitigated and if complications occur they are managed.
Please see details below for each common procedure offered by Artiste Plastic Surgery.
Face and Neck Lift:
- Expected risks: bruising, tightness, swelling for up to 4 weeks, numbness for 6-12 weeks.
- Early risks: bleeding/haematoma (2%), wound slough/necrosis (5%), temporary or permanent nerve injury (rare), infection (rare).
- Late risks: asymmetry, bumps, lumps, disorders with salivary glands, salivary gland leak (under 1%), hypertrophic/keloid scarring, sensory disturbance (rare), alopecia (<1%), seroma (fluid collection) (2%), ear lobe malposition (Pixie Ear).
- Risks are increased with smoking, revision surgery, diabetes, etc.
Eyelid Surgery:
- Expected risks: bruising, blurry vision for 2-3 days or longer, chemosis (swelling in the white part of the eye) for up to 10 days.
- Early risks: bleeding/haematoma (0.1%), blindness (0.01%), chemosis (10%), lagophthalmos (inability to fully close the eye, normal for first 1-4 days), corneal abrasion (1%), infection (rare).
- Expected risks: bruising, tightness, swelling for up to 4 weeks, numbness for 6-12 weeks.Late risks: asymmetry, ongoing chemosis beyond 6 weeks (5%), eyelid malposition, subtle change in the angle of the eye, revision surgery to tighten canthal angle (4%), hypertrophic/keloid scarring (rare), sensory disturbance.
- Risks are increased with smoking, revision surgery.
Rhinoplasty:
- Expected risks: bruising for 2 weeks.
- Early risks: nasal bleeding/haematoma (1-2%), breathing difficulties (rare), infection (rare).
- Late risks: asymmetry, alar notching, bumps (1%), nasal sill exposure, persistent septal deviation, collapse of nasal tip, collapse of nose, revision surgery (under 5%, international revision rate 8-13%), imperfections with skin, bone, cartilage, imperfections from tip, alar, nostrils, dorsum, bridge, upper third.
- Risks are increased with smoking, revision surgery, diabetes, etc
Chin or Cheek Implant:
- Risks: scarring, asymmetry, nerve injury, poor outcome, revision surgery, infection.
Concomitant Brow Surgery:
- Risks: pruritis (itchiness), motor or sensory nerve injury, scarring, alopecia, asymmetry, revision surgery, poor aesthetic outcome.
Body and Breast Risks
Early: Bleeding, haematoma (under 2%) requiring evacuation in surgery, swelling, bruising, injury to nerves, infection, wound breakdown and necrosis.
Late:Â Â
Body: Persistent lumps and bumps from fat grafting. Contour asymmetry and bumps from fat grafting and liposuction harvest sites.Â
Fat necrosis in body or abdomen, wound breakdown requiring regular dressing and possible surgery or skin grafting. Umbilical necrosis. Scarring of the abdomen. Asymmetry in abdominal, thigh and arm or buttock shape.
Breast: Asymmetry in positioning of the breast implants. Palpability of the implant edges can     also occur and be difficult to conceal. Asymmetry in overall size and shape of the breast. Fat necrosis in breast, wound breakdown requiring regular dressing and possible surgery or skin grafting. Loss or asymmetry in shape of nipples and areolar. Nipple and areolar necrosis, Scarring of breast. Implant specific risks include infection, rotation, movement, extrusion, asymmetry, capsular contracture and rupture of the implants. Implants riding high or bottoming out. Rare Anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with implants.
Medical Risks: Although rare, medical risks include chest infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart arrthymias, stroke, compartment syndrome. Possible death.
Anaesthetic risks: Will be conveyed to you by the anaesthetist. The rare and general risks include heart arrthymias, neurological deficits such as stroke. Damage to the teeth, vocal cords or to oral mucosa including the lips.
Revision Surgery:
- Higher risks if you are a smoker or if it is already revision surgery.
- Chance of revision surgery: 10% for rhinoplasty, less than 5% for eyelid surgery, less than 3% for face/neck surgery.
