Sunday, March 16, 2008

The Top 10 Common Complications Experienced After Cosmetic Surgery

The Top 10 Common Complications Experienced After Cosmetic Surgery
At the highest level of care, every surgery has risks as
well as benefits. Every surgery contains some kind of risk
even though complications are seldom and usually
correctable.

Cosmetic surgery risks frequently have to do with the
patient's health and emotional well being. If a person is
not physically healthy, or has a history of illness that
might boost plastic surgery risks, they should be advised
against having plastic surgery

The 10 most common complications that may occur during and
after surgery are:

1. Bleeding: Blood loss is normal with any procedure.
However, if there is excessive bleeding, it can create
major complications. If bleeding occurs after surgery, it
can accumulate under the skin and require an additional
surgery. Discuss with your physician what you can expect as
far as bleeding and bruising.

2. Swelling: almost everyone experiences some swelling,
which peaks at 48 hours and often significantly decreases
after that point.

3. Infection: Antibiotics reduce infection risk
dramatically. However, if infection does occur, it is very
serious. People who smoke, take steroids or have certain
vascular conditions are at greater risk. The longer your
surgery lasts and the more blood you lose, the more likely
you are to have an infection.

4. Seroma: a pocket of fluid that can collect under the
skin and can occur after breast augmentation, liposuction
or a tummy tuck.

5. Blood Clots (DVT): A blood clot in the veins can be
fatal. They can occur as a result of a medical condition or
from immobilization (which allows the blood to pool) such
as pregnancy, international airplane flights, and recovery
from surgery. They are difficult to predict. To help
prevent them, during recovery do not stay in one position
for too long and to make sure that you are up, and walking
around as soon as possible after surgery. Compression
garments worn reduce the risk of DVT.

6. Drop in Blood Pressure: Some decrease in blood pressure
is normal during surgery. However, a sudden drop due to
blood loss could lead to irregular heart beat and other
serious complications.

7. Aspiration: Aspiration occurs if you vomit during
surgery and the vomit is forced into the lungs. Aspiration
can cause mild discomfort, and can also lead to infections,
chronic cough, an obstruction in the lungs or pneumonia.
This is why it is extremely important to not eat prior to
your surgery.

8. Skin Death or Necrosis: usually follows an infection, or
hematoma, and is much more likely among smokers. The skin
is excised (surgically removed) and this may affect the
cosmetic outcome.

9. Slow or Delayed Healing: due to age, skin type, failure
to follow doctor's advice or factors beyond anyone's
control.

10. Numbness/Tingling: often temporary, sometimes permanent
loss of sensation. This results from injury to sensory or
motor nerves.

Although the risks and complications are rare, they can
happen. That is why it is important to be honest with your
cosmetic surgeon and disclose all and any information about
your health, medications and any supplements you might be
taking.


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The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in
Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and
satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients'
look and feel their best. The Avalon Clinic wants you to
know that It Is Possible! Contact us at
http://www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!

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