Are There Real Risks of Having Plastic Surgery?

Posted November 11, 2010 in Plastic Surgery Tips

When it comes to plastic surgery, there are people on two sides of the spectrum – those that are pro-surgery and those don”t believe in it. When there are two clear sides for an argument, it”s easy to get caught up in the hype and misunderstand the real facts. Plastic surgery, even when performed on an outpatient basis is a serious medical procedure and this means that it isn”t free of risk. However, the risks and complications associated with plastic surgery are not very extensive.

In order to understand how widespread plastic surgery complications are, it”s important to look at the statistics.

• Out of 40,000 people, only 0.05% experience serious complications. There are greater risks associated with non-cosmetic surgical procedures, including those that are elective
• Mortality rates from plastic surgery are extremely low. Out of 57,000 people included in a case study, there was only one death. Serious complications that develop following plastic surgery cannot always be attributed to the procedure either, as there are other factors to consider.
• Other factors put individuals at risk for more serious complications following plastic surgery. Individuals who are overweight, that smoke, that have a history of cancer, or that have disorders with the lungs or nervous system are are at a higher risk.

There are risks with any surgical procedure, and patients need to understand these by discussing them with their doctor. It's important to answer all questions about medical history honestly in order to have the risk factors reduced.