Cosmetic Surgery carries risks and complications just like any surgical procedures and it is extremely important to understand this for each and every patient before they commit to any surgery.
Especially procedures like Breast Implants, Breast Augmentation or even
Non- surgical procedures like fillers can lead to serious complications if they are not done correctly. It can affect your mental health if they do not turn out how you expected.
How comfortably accepting you are of your physical looks matters a great deal and then asking the questions why you would want a cosmetic surgical procedure is the most important one.
There are a few things that you can look at before having any procedure in the very first instance and these are-
Speak to an expert-
Having a professional consultation with your GP or a mental health practitioner is a good place to start. You can share all your trepidations and fears and even talk about your expectations of yourself and the procedure you intend to have.
This can support you in making the right decision further down the road.
Do your research-
Find out as much as you can about the clinic, the team, the surgeon who is going to do the procedure and read up on the procedure itself. The benefits of the procedure, the disadvantages of having the procedure, the pros and cons of it, the reviews and other aspects of the clinic. Ask to see some before and after pics of patients, see if you can connect with a few patients who have had this treatment and talk to them if possible.
Also important to understand what the costs are.
But also be careful not to go down a rabbit hole by overdoing it. There is a line between being paranoid and discerning.
This cosmetic procedures guide has information about the different types of cosmetic surgery.
Choosing your practitioner
Choosing a reputable practitioner means checking on their qualifications and their levels of experience and training. Connect with the Surgeon, have a consultation, read the vibes and sense how comfortable you are in handing over your body into their hands. Because isn’t that what it is- Having a surgical cosmetic procedure means totally trusting yourself to go under the scalpel of someone who is literally a stranger up until the time you decided to connect with.
Connect with others in your social circle who may have had a similar procedure and ask them for references
Here are some tips on how to choose your surgeon
Be cautious with social media
Take extra care to research any procedures or clinics you find on social media.
Social media influencers are usually paid to advertise the service.
Take time to decide
Take time to think about everything and decide whether to go ahead with the procedure.
You should be offered a cooling-off period after any consultation with a practitioner.
And now come the risks associated with cosmetic surgery
- Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there will always be a significant risk of infection. While post-operative care often involves a course of antibiotics, these are not guaranteed to prevent an infection.
- Bruising: Post surgery bruising is common, and this is caused by blood that has leaked out of the blood vessels under the skin. The extent of bruising can vary depending on the procedure and the individual’s healing capacity. Most bruising starts to fade over a few weeks.
- Swelling: Swelling or edema is caused by fluid that accumulates in the tissues after surgery. Swelling usually peaks around 48 hours after the procedure and then gradually decreases. Some swelling may persist for several weeks or even months, particularly for more extensive procedures.
- Pain: Significant pain is common after surgery and can vary greatly depending on the specific procedure and the individual’s pain tolerance.
- Scarring: All surgeries result in some degree of scarring, which can be significant. The extent and visibility of scars can vary greatly depending on the specific procedure and individual healing characteristics.
- Bleeding and Hematoma: Hematoma is a pocket of blood that resembles a large, painful bruise. It occurs in up to 6% of breast augmentation procedures and is the most common complication after a facelift.
- Seroma: This occurs when serum from the blood pools beneath the surface of the skin, causing swelling and pain. It’s most common after a tummy tuck, but it can occur after other types of cosmetic surgeries too.
- Nerve Damage: Numbness and tingling are common after cosmetic and plastic surgery and can be signs of nerve damage. Most women experience a change in sensitivity after breast augmentation surgery, and 15% of those women experience permanent changes in nipple sensation.
- Anesthesia Complications: Anesthesia is the use of medication to make you unconscious and unable to feel pain. Complications from anesthesia can include lung infection, stroke, heart attacks, and death. More minor complications include confusion and short-term memory loss.
- Blood Clots: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are risks with any surgical procedure. They occur when blood clots form in large veins of the legs or pelvis and can travel to the lungs, causing severe illness, disability, and in some cases, death.
- Psychological Impact: Cosmetic surgery will always have a significant psychological impact. And sometimes cosmetic procedures may not even produce the results you expected which can lead to a form of trauma.Some people may experience changes in their self-esteem, depression, or dissatisfaction with the results. You might even need additional surgery if the results are not what you foresaw.
- Organ Damage: Liposuction can be traumatic for internal organs. Visceral perforations or punctures can occur when the surgical probe comes into contact with internal organs. Repairing these injuries can require additional surgery.
Each of these risks vary in severity and likelihood depending on the specific procedure and the individual patient’s general health status.
It’s important to discuss these risks thoroughly with your cosmetic surgeon before deciding to proceed with any cosmetic procedure. Your surgeon can provide more detailed information specifically tailored to your health status and the specific procedure you’re considering.
It’s also important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to help manage these side effects. This may include instructions on taking prescribed medications, using cold compresses to reduce swelling, elevating the surgical area when possible, and limiting physical activity.
Here at MOLAJO we take great care and ensure that our patients are well looked after- from pre operative consultations and preparations to post operation supervision as appropriate.
Recovery from cosmetic surgery can vary greatly between individuals and depends on the specific procedure. Your surgeon Mr Molajo or any medical practitioner should be informed as soon as possible of any complications or concerns that develop after surgery. It’s important to follow all post-operative care instructions and to allow yourself ample time to recover.
