Plastic surgery complications: what you should know about risks and safety
There’s a side of plastic surgery that rarely gets talked about. When someone considers plastic surgery, they usually focus on the result they want: how they want to look, which procedure can help them get there, and how long their recovery will take. But there’s one conversation I believe is essential: plastic surgery complications.
Every procedure carries risks and potential complications. At Ideal Plastic Surgery, we work hard to minimize them, but there is always a chance they can happen.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, and out of both medical and ethical responsibility, I believe talking about this openly shouldn’t cause fear. On the contrary, understanding the possible scenarios helps you make an informed decision and see why it’s so important to choose a board-certified surgeon, an experienced team, and a facility prepared to take care of you before, during, and after surgery.
Can an experienced surgeon prevent every complication?
No. Experience matters a great deal, but no surgery is completely risk-free.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen different types of complications, and something I always explain to my patients is that a good surgical experience doesn’t mean problems are impossible. It means we work to reduce the risks we can prevent, spot any warning signs quickly, and know how to act if something unexpected happens.
Before surgery, we evaluate a range of factors for each patient, because not everyone has the same level of risk or needs the same safety measures.
How do we work to reduce risks?
One of the most important steps happens before you even enter the operating room: determining whether you’re a good candidate for surgery. During the consultation, we review your overall health, medical history, and other factors that could increase the risk of a complication.
For example, certain factors can raise the risk of developing circulation problems and blood clots. For us, identifying these factors is a fundamental part of preparing for surgery.
If we believe a patient’s risk is too high for plastic surgery, we won’t perform the procedure. I know this can be hard to hear for a patient who’s excited about their surgery, but for me, safety must always come before the desire to perform a procedure.
What happens if something doesn’t go as expected after surgery?
Our care doesn’t end when the surgery does. At Ideal Plastic Surgery, our patients have access to care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is always a doctor available for you. This means that if you have a concern during your recovery, you can reach out to our team and get guidance.
Most situations that come up during recovery can be evaluated by our team. However, it’s also important to understand that some situations require hospital care.
For example, if a patient has trouble breathing after surgery, we shouldn’t assume it’s just normal recovery discomfort. It could be something minor, but it could also be a sign of a problem that needs immediate attention. In those cases, the right call is to go to an emergency room, where they can run the necessary tests and provide hospital care.
Patient safety always comes first.
What happens financially if a complication requires additional care?
Most complications can be evaluated and treated at our surgical center, and we don’t charge our patients for the care we provide while managing those issues.
However, some complications may require resources only available at a hospital, such as specialized tests, advanced imaging, or a hospital stay. These outside services have their own costs and aren’t directly controlled by our clinic.
What matters is that, even when another medical center needs to be involved, we continue to support the patient and work alongside the professionals handling their case. For me, my commitment to a patient doesn’t end when they leave the operating room.
Can I come to Ideal Plastic Surgery if I had a complication after surgery somewhere else?
Yes. We also see patients who have had complications after undergoing surgery at another clinic.
Depending on the situation, we can start with a conversation and photos to understand what’s going on and determine the next step. In other cases, an in-person evaluation will be necessary.
When the situation is serious, the first priority is getting immediate medical care. Some complications need hospital resources and can’t be properly treated at an outpatient surgery center.
We also see patients who are past the initial stage of a complication but later need to correct its effects.
Revision Surgery can help with issues such as asymmetry, scarring, changes in breast shape, capsular contracture, or other results that don’t meet the patient’s expectations.
Can choosing a surgery based on price alone increase the risks?
Price is part of the decision, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. When you’re considering plastic surgery, you should also look into who will perform the procedure, where it will take place, how much experience the team has, and what kind of follow-up care you’ll receive afterward.
A surgery may have a lower upfront cost, but if a complication arises or the result requires another procedure, it can end up costing you much more in time, money, and recovery.
That’s why I always recommend looking at surgery as a complete process, not just a price tag.
What’s the best advice for avoiding complications in the first place?
There’s no way to guarantee a complication will never happen. Even a surgery performed by an experienced surgeon carries risks.
What you can do is make choices that help reduce those risks and ensure you have good support along the way.
Before choosing a surgery, I recommend that you:
- Research the surgeon who will perform your procedure.
- Verify that they’re board-certified.
- Find out where the surgery will take place.
- Ask what your follow-up care will look like after the procedure.
- Tell your medical team about your medical history and any medications you take.
- Carefully follow all instructions before and after surgery.
- Have someone you trust who can be with you during your recovery.
- Understand which warning signs mean you should contact your medical team.
For me, good plastic surgery isn’t only about how the final result looks. It’s also about how we get there and how we support the patient throughout the entire process.
Plastic surgery complications can happen, since every procedure carries some level of risk. Our job is to reduce the risks we can prevent, prepare for the unexpected, and act quickly when something needs attention.
At Ideal Plastic Surgery, we have a team of board-certified surgeons and professionals, the experience, and a setting prepared to support you before, during, and after your procedure.
If you’re considering plastic surgery, schedule your consultation. Getting your questions answered, knowing your options, and understanding the risks are all part of making a good decision about your health and your body.
