Plastic surgery is common place in western nations today, with most registered plastic surgeons offering a sound and professional service to their patients. Plastic surgery does however involve serious surgical procedures that should not be undertaken lightly. When undergoing any plastic surgery at all it is crucial that the patient is aware of all of the possible risks and complications. While the rate of complications among certified professional surgeons is low, it is still important for potential patients to be informed about any possible dangers before they begin.

The field of plastic surgery (Plastische Chirurgie) involves both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures. However as reconstructive surgery is generally used to directly improve a persons physical functions, the risks involved are normally recognised as being more acceptable to the patient. There are of course many risks involved with reconstructive surgery as well, however for this reason I will not focus on them in this article. While there is no doubt that cosmetic plastic surgery can have a positive influence on a patient, the associated risk factor is more complicated due to the elective nature of the surgery.

The vast majority of cosmetic plastic surgery by certified professional is safe for the patients and can lead to positive physical and mental health outcomes for people. The risks involved are generally specific to the particular type of surgery being carried out, for example facelifts have very different risk factors than liposuction or breast augmentation. Before I mention specific surgery however, there are some general risks that are involved with any surgical procedure - cosmetic of not. Some patients have complications due to anesthesia and sedation procedures. Some other possible complications include an abnormal heart rhythm, airway obstruction, blood clots and stroke. Although such complications are rare, any patients with heart trouble, lung disease or obesity are at a higher risk.

Other possible but unlikely complications that can arise during any surgical procedure include aspiration, blood loss, blood clots, blood pressure problems and possible infection. The amount of risk involved in surgery is of course dependent on the health of the patient and the type of surgery being undertaken. As well as these general factors, cosmetic surgical procedures do carry some risks of their own. Procedures involving the skin of a patient can lead to skin death or necrosis, a situation that usually arises after an infection and is much more likely among smokers. Slow healing may also be an issue for the occasional patient after some procedures.

Moderate to severe physical asymmetry can result from an unsuccessful procedure, however a lot of these problems can be addressed during a second procedure. Numbness and/or tingling in certain areas is another possible risk of cosmetic plastic surgery, this if often only temporary but can be permanent at times. One other risk I will mention is called ’seroma’ and results from fluid collecting under the skin after breast augmentation, liposuction or a tummy tuck. Post surgical depression is another risk that some patients suffer from, however a lot of patients are also very happy after their procedures and the changes that they have made.

Any responsible professional plastic surgeon should mention all of these possible risks while they are consulting about a possible procedure. There are also other risks that are specific to the type of surgery taking place. It is important to remember however that plastic surgery that is performed in the correctly accredited and recognised facilities, by professional and certified surgeons does have a very good safety record. The rate of serious complications is very low and is often seen as being outweighed by the potential benefits of cosmetic surgery. However whether you are undergoing surgery for reasons of beauty or health, you can never be too careful. A patient needs to be informed and also to keep their surgeon and surgery team informed about their medical history as well as any psychological considerations.