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When considering a body contouring procedure, such as lipo, tummy tuck, or breast surgery, you want a plastic surgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). If you are contemplating facial plastic surgery only, you can consider an ABPS board-certified plastic surgeon, or an Otolaryngologist. These are also known as ENT - Ear Nose & Throat specialist, certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. They are only qualified enough to perform cosmetic procedures of the face. Please do not allow an ENT- or any non-ABPS-certified doctor to perform any procedure below the neck, because it might lead to bad surgery. Do not let anyone tell you the doctor just moved from another state, so he or she is waiting for transfer of certification. Keep in mind that certification is a federal exam and is valid in any state. As with any type of surgical procedure, there are plastic surgery risks associated with procedures, no matter how good the surgeon is. However, plastic surgery risks are very small when procedures are performed by a Board-certified plastic surgeon.
Even with the highest level of expertise and care, every surgery carries risks and benefits that you should discuss thoroughly with your chosen surgeon prior to the procedure.
Risks of plastic surgery
Plastic surgery risks often 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 increase plastic surgery risks, they should be advised against having plastic surgery at all. Certain types of drugs and supplements may also increase surgery risks. Therefore, it is important to discuss these issues prior to any form of plastic surgery. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also increase the risks. If you smoke, try to quit before the surgery, as your plastic surgeon probably recommended. Smoking can lengthen the recovery time and may make scarring even worse. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks due to anesthesia complications, since many types of plastic surgery are done under a general anesthesia. There are many different risks associated with anesthesia - abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots, airway obstruction, brain damage, heart attack, stroke, temporary paralysis, and even death. It is important to keep in mind that these outcomes are rare and there are a number of things, which a good anesthesiologist can do to mitigate these risks.
Plastic surgery risks can increase for patients undergoing multiple procedures at the same time. This is because a patient is under general anesthetic for longer periods, and there are more traumas associated with multiple procedures. Increased operating time can increase the risks of developing blood clots and other serious complications due to plastic surgery. The risks also involve complications in the outcome of the surgery where in some cases surgical errors can result in subsequent problems in the results. Plastic surgery risks can include asymmetries in the surgical area, irregularities, dimples, puckers, and divots in some cases. Other more serious plastic surgery risks are long-term or permanent loss of sensation, or tingling in the affected area caused by damage done to the nerve during plastic surgery. Seroma development can also occur as fluid collects under the skin after some types of surgery. Skin death can also occur if infection or bleeding occurs at the end of the procedure.
Overall, plastic surgery risks are relatively small, with the risk of serious complications less than a half percent. Mortality plastic surgery risks affect only one of 57,000 patients, where risks are the lowest when the procedure is performed in an appropriate environment. Those are hospital or surgery medical office, with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.