Most Dangerous Plastic Surgery Procedures

Many plastic surgery procedures come with the same risks and warnings as any other invasive surgery. Infection, anesthesia complications, painful scarring, and hematomas can all complicate seemingly benign cosmetic procedures. Surgeries involving delicate areas and major alterations come with the highest degree of risks. We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous elective procedures that people undergo.

1. Any facial alteration surgery. Including bone structure alterations, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, facelifts, and facial implants, facial reconstruction surgery occurs in a very delicate area of the body. Surgical procedures can damage nerves, eyes, sinus cavities, and other structural components in ways that result in ongoing pain. Loss of motor control, numbness, and scarring may cause vision problems or speech problems. Procedures near the sinuses could result in respiratory difficulties or frequent nosebleeds.
   The risk increases with the degree of change a patient undergoes, but even minor facial alteration surgeries may result in long term complications. In addition to physical pain and suffering, botched facial reconstruction surgeries can alter physical appearance in a way that seriously affects self-esteem.
2. Implants. Typically made from saline or silicone fillings, breast and butt implants involve placing a foreign material into the body. In 2015, the most recent data available from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, surgeons performed 279,143 breast augmentation procedures and 2,540 butt implant procedures. Risks associated with these procedures include permanent numbness around the area, an unsightly buildup of scar tissue, infection from the implant, anesthesia problems, and complications from implants shifting or bursting inside a patient.
   In one notable case of implant malpractice, more than 200 women claim two plastic surgeons performed botched breast implant surgeries in Jacksonville, FL. Surgeon negligence, implant defects, and poor aftercare may all contribute to implant complications.
3. Body contouring. Liposuction, tummy tucks, gynecological rejuvenation surgeries, and other tucks and lift surgeries open patients up to infection, nerve damage, and painful scarring. A high body mass index at the time of body contouring surgeries may increase the risk of complications for patients.
4. Fat grafting enhancements. For certain patients, a plastic surgeon may recommend using fat grafting instead of traditional implants in breast and butt enhancement procedures. While more natural than saline or silicone implants, fat grafting exposes the body to two incision locations – the location from where the surgeon takes the fat and the grafting site. Infections, fluid buildup, and graft rejection may all complicate this type of plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery can provide meaningful reconstruction for people who undergo extreme weight loss or who experience deforming injuries. Unless a patient requires surgery to regain a normal quality of life, many of these procedures introduce a relatively high level of unnecessary risk. The wrong doctor, a bad day, or a physical anomaly could all jeopardize an individual’s health after plastic surgery.

Less Risky Procedures

While very invasive procedures carry a high level of risk, less invasive procedures may provide results without the likelihood of complications. While these procedures can lead to infections and other complications, the medical community considers them safer than invasive surgeries:

• Dermabrasion. During this procedure, a physician may remove the most superficial layers of skin to brighten it, remove dark spots, reduce scarring, and improve texture.

• Filler injections. Commonly associated with the brand name Botox, fillers temporarily smooth out wrinkles and add plumpness to the lips, neck, and skin.

• Laser procedures. For hair removal and skin rejuvenation, medical professionals may use lasers as a long-term solution for skin health and hair removal.

• Hair transplants. Modern hair transplants often feature very small hair grafts or individual follicles designed to work with a patient’s physiology to regrow natural hair.

While less risky, always approach any medical solution with caution. From injections to major bone structure alteration, any procedure carries a certain level of risk. Weigh the benefits and the risks before agreeing to a plastic surgery procedure, and reach out to a personal injury attorney in Houston to discuss your options if you experience any complications afterwards.