How To Avoid Potential Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics, in 2007 nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed. Plastic surgery is becoming more popular each year but there are possible risk factors and complications to be aware of and steps for insuring against these when considering surgery.

Risk of death from cosmetic surgery is relatively low, with statistics stating that one in 57,000 procedures are fatal. Other potential complications are also rare, and there are steps that can be taken by a person considering plastic surgery to ensure their safety or that of a loved one. It is important to find the right surgeon and to get a medical checkup by your regular doctor to rule out unknown health issues, as well as researching about the procedure you wish to have done. The 5 steps listed below are important to making a final decision in preparing for plastic surgery.

1. Schedule a checkup with your primary care doctor. You can get the most current assessment of your health to rule out any unknown health concerns. It can also provide a great opportunity to reach out for help with the following steps.
2. Educate yourself about the procedure understand the risks involved with cosmetic surgery. There are many things you should be aware of when considering plastic surgery. Among them are the potential complications. Some complications are temporary and can be treated post-op (following surgery) if you are in the care of a knowledgeable surgeon. But some complications can be serious and, in rare cases, even fatal. Some of the serious complications may include:
   
   • Blood clots
   • Infections
   • Nerve damage
   • Heart attack
   • Stroke
   • Temporary paralysis
   • Airway obstructions
   • Brain damage

   These possible complications point to the importance of making informed decisions when considering plastic surgery procedures. Scarring and deformities are also concerns, and cannot always be corrected after they occur. If a mistake is made by the surgeon and the procedure is not performed properly to accomplish the patient's needs, the patient may suffer a deformity or scarring that can be permanent. Negative outcome is far less likely if a highly qualified surgeon is chosen.

3. Make sure you are an eligible candidate for the surgery. Cosmetic surgeons will not accept patients as candidates for certain procedures if they have pre-existing health problems. This is especially true if a patient has severe hypertension or the patient is a heavy smoker. Most qualified plastic surgeons will not perform surgeries on people who have any type of health problem that places them at higher risk for complications. They may also screen patients for heart problems and for depression or anything that might present an additional risk factor.

4. Finding the right doctor for cosmetic surgery. During your appointment with your primary care doctor, ask for any references and recommendations. Go online and search for plastic surgery websites and ones that refer you to reputable surgeons in your state or area. You may also find directories online that show which surgeons are certified to perform the surgery you wish to have done. If a doctor is certified to perform a specific procedure, this basically means they are qualified.

   You may also wish to find out which medical school the doctor received his degree from, what type of training he completed and the years of experience he has in his area of expertise. Also ask how often he has performed the surgery you are considering. If he does not perform the surgery routinely, it might be a good idea to consider a different surgeon who performs the surgery routinely with a very high or perfect success rate. You can even ask the surgeon's office if they can provide you with approved references of patients who have had procedures done, who can share their experience with you.

   According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest plastic surgery organization in the world, "No matter what type of plastic surgery you are considering, the most important factor in its success is the surgeon you choose."

5. It is also good for a person to make sure that the anesthesiologist who assists the surgeon is also certified. Some plastic surgery mishaps are due to adverse reactions to anesthesia and other anesthesia-related complications, so having a certified anesthesiologist is an important factor. 

These 5 steps point out the importance of self-education and also consultation for patients who are considering plastic surgery.If you educate yourself and take the proper precautions, you can better ensure a safe and successful outcome.
(Co-Author: Jamie Brooke Lowrance)