Cosmetic surgery is a booming industry in the United States. From breast augmentations to nose or rhinoplasty work, these procedures continue to revolutionize the medical and beauty industries. While these procedures are becoming increasingly common, they are not without risk for complications. It is important that, if you plan to undergo cosmetic surgery, you understand all potential risks and complications you could face – and discuss them with your doctor.
What are Common Cosmetic Procedure Complications?
The common complications can range from mild to severe – and some can even turn life-threatening. These complications include:
- Hematomas – These are pockets of blood that look like large, painful bruises. They occur in one to six percent of cases and are common after procedures that include breast augmentation or facelifts. They are a potential risk in all surgical procedures, and may require additional procedures to drain excess blood.
- Nerve Damage – Nerve damage is a potential risk in all types of cosmetic procedures. It can involve numbness or tingling and even a change in sensitivity levels.
- Infection – Postoperative care is critical after cosmetic surgery. Physicians do take steps to reduce risk for infection, but it is still one of the more common complications seen. It occurs in two to four percent of breast augmentation cases and sometimes requires IV antibiotics or surgery to correct infection issues.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis – Also known as DVT, this is a condition where blood clots form deep within the veins, typically in the legs. If they break loose, they can travel up the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolus – which is life threatening.
- Scarring – Most surgeries will result in some sort of scar, but these scars are troubling for cosmetic surgery patients. Hypertrophic scarring is an abnormally red and thick raised scar that can occur in numerous procedures.
- Organ Damage – Certain cosmetic procedures can be traumatic to the body and actually lead to visceral perforations or punctures – which cause organ damage.
- Anesthesia Complications – Anesthesia is a practice that allows a patient to undergo surgery without feeling it. General anesthesia is often used for cosmetic procedures, which will make a patient unconscious and can lead to complications, in some cases. These complications can include lung infections, stroke, heart failure, or even death.
- Seroma – This occurs when serum from the blood pools around the skin – resulting in pain and swelling. It is common after a tummy tuck and often requires surgery to drain it.
- Blood Loss – Blood loss is expected in any type of surgical procedure. However, uncontrolled blood loss can lead to a dramatic drop in blood pressure and possibly even death.
No procedure is without risk for complication, but when a patient is not properly notified, it becomes an issue of malpractice. If you were not properly informed of the risks involved, you could be entitled to compensation through a malpractice case. Contact Berkowitz Hanna today to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation. Call (203) 487-5716 or contact us online to get started.
