Is Plastic Surgery Safe?

Risks and Benefits of Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery is a surgical procedure where medical professionals tend to enhance a person's appearance or restore function by repairing, reconstructing, reshaping, or improving a specific body part. It is commonly used to address issues like birth defects, injuries, or various medical conditions.

There are several types of plastic surgeries that one can undergo for different purposes. Certain procedures are performed to meet aesthetic requirements, whereas others are done for medical purposes. Plastic Surgery can be further categorised into two types:

Reconstructive Surgery

These procedures aim to restore the normal function of a body part or correct deformities. The most popular reconstructive Surgery that people opt for is as follows:

• Breast Reconstruction: This procedure is performed after mastectomy.
• Burn Surgery: Under this Surgery, experts try to mimic natural skin by restoring the skin in the area of damage.
• Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: This Surgery corrects congenital facial abnormalities.
• Hand and Limb Surgery: This also involves rectification of congenital defects and repair of injuries.

Cosmetic Surgery

This type of Surgery is performed to achieve a desired aesthetic that will enhance their appearance and impact their self-confidence. Here are some popular cosmetic surgical procedures:

• Breast Procedures: Breast augmentation, breast lift
• Facial surgeries: Rhinoplasty (nose job), facelift, eyelid surgery
• Non-surgical treatments: Botox or derma fillers
• Body contouring: tummy tuck or liposuction

Risks of Plastic Surgery

There are various complications that one might experience during the procedure or in the healing process. Consulting a seasoned medical expert for this task is advisable:

Scarring

Scarring of the skin during the healing process, despite skilful surgical techniques, is natural. However, there are two types of scars that can form after Surgery namely: hypertrophic scars (raised, thickened scars) or keloids (overgrown scar tissue).

The healing process for every individual is different on the basis of skin type, genetics, and post-operative care.

Infection

The wounds and incisions after Surgery are the most sensitive parts for catching an infection. Post-operative care is crucial to avoid bacterial growth or abscess formation. Proper consultation must be taken during this time, and any suspicious symptoms must be immediately addressed.

Nerve Damage

Nerves might stretch, cut, or compress during the surgical process, leading to temporary or even permanent tingling sensations, numbness, or muscle weakness. However, in most cases, these conditions are temporary and heal over time.

For instance, after undergoing breast augmentation surgery, the patient might experience a change in nipple sensation.  

Blood Clots

Certain practices during and post-surgery, like lack of mobility, extension in time taken for Surgery or under certain medical conditions, can lead to blood clots. These blood clots can increase the risk of getting deep vein thrombosis.

However, if the clot reaches the lungs, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to ensure regular movement and take blood-thinning medications and other safety measures seriously.

Anaesthesia Complications

During Surgery, medical experts resort to injecting anaesthesia for a smooth, painless surgical experience. However, if the patient has some underlying medical condition, they might experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or other allergic reactions.

In some rare conditions, they might even experience issues with breathing, irregular heartbeats, or even waking up during Surgery (anaesthesia awareness)      

Benefits of Plastic Surgery

There are long-term benefits of having plastic surgery as well. Let us discuss a few of them hereunder:

Health Benefits: Several plastic surgery procedures help correct deformities and improve physical health. For example, breast augmentation can relieve discomfort from uneven breast size, while rhinoplasty can improve breathing and nasal function.

Improvement in Appearance: The surgeries that are done to correct aesthetics significantly improve the physical appearance of a person.

Psychological Benefits: After Surgery, many patients feel more self-confident and share positive word of mouth, leading to growth in the plastic surgery industry.

Whether you are aiming to improve your looks or seeking transformative reconstructive Surgery, Plastic Surgery can be incredibly beneficial. However, being aware of the risks will help in deciding whether going under the knife is safe or not. 

Also Read:

→ Why is it Called Plastic Surgery

→ Why Do People Get Plastic Surgery

→ What are the Disadvantages of Plastic Surgery