What is plastic surgery? Why do people undergo plastic surgery? What can plastic surgery achieve? Surgical Risks The Healing Process About the Doctor The Consultation Scheduling Arrangements Where are procedures performed? Anesthesia for Plastic Surgery Financial Considerations

SURGICAL RISKS

All surgical and medical treatments, no matter how minor, involve some degree of risk, both in terms of serious complications and the sense that the results may not match one's expectations. In general, the risks involved in elective plastic surgery are of the same magnitude as the risk of a life threatening accident while on an airplane trip.  Although possible, it is statistically unlikely. Some of the risks of surgery are: infection, poor healing, swelling and bruising, bleeding, numbness, reactions to medication, injuries to nerves, muscles and other structures.

Even less likely problems include excessive scarring, paralysis, loss of vision and even death. The various risks will be discussed at that time of consultation and are reviewed more specifically on the appropriate sections of this book.

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