Cosmetic surgery: don't ignore the risks
Any operation, due to its very nature, involves an element of risk, including cosmetic surgery. As Dr Pierre Nahon explains, there is no such thing as risk-free surgery. These risks, which are unavoidable, are common to most operations (regardless of speciality). Below is a summary of some of the inherent risks of cosmetic surgery:
Anaesthesia risks
© Jupiter
You will have a compulsory, pre-anaesthesia consultation during which, your anaesthetist will explain all the risks associated with having an anaesthetic, one of them being the possibility of an allergic reaction. However, it's the surgeon who will decide if the procedure requires a local or a general anaesthetic. A local anaesthetic is normally less dangerous than a general anaesthetic, with the side effects of anaesthetic extremely variable, ranging from a simple skin rash through to death.
The risk of haemorrhaging
Bleeding occurs when you cut through a blood vessel, thus releasing blood. The surgeon controls the bleeding, clamping the blood vessels and only when the bleeding has stopped will he close the surgical site.
Before any operation, the doctor will monitor the patient's blood clotting function in order to reduce the risk of haemorrhaging. Some medication, such as Aspirin, can increase bleeding so it's important that the patient stop treatment before the operation.
The risk of infection
There is a risk of bacterial infection during the operation or immediately following surgery. Both the patient and surgeon must watch out for any post-operative redness, pain or fever. An infection that's caught early on can be treated very easily. To avoid possible infection, the patient can be given antibiotics both before and after surgery.
However, despite these precautions, infection can sometimes occur. The consequences of infection vary depending on the treatment given, the bacteria responsible and the severity of the infection.
The risk of scarring
All people heal and scar differently, with some producing exactly the right amount of tissue, creating a soft, faint scar. Others produce too much tissue, resulting in a hypertrophic scar. After an operation, it can take up to 18 months for some scars to flatten.
Risks associated with implants
Breast implants, various prostheses, injected substances, straps or other appliances can also produce adverse reactions because of the way they are manufactured or their composition (infection, allergy, rupture, displacement, absorption, hardness etc.).
Even if the risks are not directly associated with the operation, the surgeon has a responsibility to inform you about them, to prevent them as best he can and to treat any problems that may arise.
Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo
Posted 30.06.2010
Get more on this subject…
