Cosmetic surgery, like any type of surgery, is not without risks. Plastic surgery procedures can result in complications ranging from an unattractive or unnatural final result to scarring or even death.
Many people mistakenly assume that elective (optional)procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, aren't as serious as other types of surgery. But all surgeries, even simple dental procedures, present the possibility of serious complications. In addition to the general risks of surgery, there's always the possibility of issues arising due to anesthesia.
In some ways, cosmetic surgery can be more challenging than more standard surgeriesif the person doesn't tolerate surgery well. Many of these procedures are done in surgery centers or an operating suite in the physician's office.
For most people, this isn't a serious concern. For the person who becomes critically ill during surgery, being in a facility with an ICU and extensive resources for the very sick person can make a tremendous difference in the outcome.
Risks of Plastic Surgery
Poor cosmetic outcome: This may be the greatest fear of a person undergoing plastic surgery: a result that not only fails to improve appearance but actually makes one's appearance worse than before the surgery.
Scarring: One of the greatest risks to achieving an attractive outcome, scarring is not always predictable, but can be controlled in most cases. People considering surgery can decrease the risk of scarring by not smoking, eating well after surgery and following the surgeon's directions during recovery.
Nerve damage or numbness: In some cases, nerves may be damaged or severed during any surgical procedure. Severance of a motor nerve, for example the facial nerve or its branches, results in partial or complete paralysis of half of the face.
If this nerve is severed, it will probably be seen during surgery. The cut ends must be reattached. Recovery of motion can take up to two years. If the lack of motion was from stretching, it will spontaneously recover over some months.
Numbness and Tingling After Surgery
Infection: All surgeries carry a risk of infection. Proper wound care and frequent hand washing can minimize or prevent an infection.
Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. A hematoma can develop after surgery; this typically results in an area being swollen and bruised in appearance, with a pocket of blood beneath. In some cases, this is minor, but a hematoma can be large enough to cause pain and even decrease blood flow through the area.
A large facial hematoma can happen after a facelift. It usually appears in the first 24 hours following surgery. It is very painful and has marked facial bruising. The person must be seen immediately if this is suspected. The wound will be reopened, and the blood clot will be removed.
Necrosis: Tissue death (necrosis) can be devastating, particularly in the face. If the blood supply to an area is destroyed, the tissue will die. This can happen by unrecognized destruction of the area's vascular supply or by injection of filler material into a vessel. Both of these issues are a surgical emergency and need immediate intervention.
Bleeding: As with any surgical procedure, bleeding can and will occur. Bleeding becomes an issue when it is excessive, or continues after the wound should have healed. Post-surgery bleeding can be a sign that the person is being too active too soon after the procedure.
Death: Every surgery has a risk of death. While that risk may be less than 1% it's possible for death to occur during the most minor of surgeries.
Seroma: A seroma is similar to a hematoma: it's a collection of lymphatic fluid around the site of injury. In a seroma, clear fluid builds up in a pocket near the surgical site. If a large amount of fluid accumulates, the surgeon may choose to reduce the pocket by removing the fluid with a syringe. Seromas are common with more invasive cosmetic procedures, such as a tummy tuck.
Blood clots: A blood clot is a common risk of many procedures, not just cosmetic surgeries. The most common type is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot that develops in the leg.
Most DVTs require medical attention but are not life-threatening unless the clot begins to move through the veins toward the heart and lungs. A clot that moves to the lungs is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately.
The unhappy person: This type of problem is associated with what is called body dysmorphic syndrome. This disorder may be hard to recognize. But the person who has had very successful surgery by all standards is just not happy. It may require psychological counseling to help the person.
The angry person: This situation may have no good explanation, whether it is a poor result (objective or subjective), a billing issue, or no recognizable reason. This person will need counseling or a second opinion.
Reducing the Risk
With any surgery, the person undergoing the procedure has the ability to reduce the risk of complications. The best way to reduce the risk of a bad outcome is to choose a board-certified surgeon who performs the procedure frequently.
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, are extremely important before surgery, as non-smokers heal faster and have less scarring. Some plastic surgeons will not perform surgery on current smokers because the final outcome may not be as good.
In addition, eating a healthy diet before and after the procedure can speed healing and improve wound closure, which also minimizes scarring.
The 10 Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Khunger N. Complications in cosmetic surgery: A time to reflect and review and not sweep them under the carpet. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-90. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188
Heeney A, Hand F, Bates J, Mc Cormack O, Mealy K. Surgical mortality - an analysis of all deaths within a general surgical department. Surgeon. 2014;12(3):121-8. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2013.07.005
Additional Reading
Bucknor A, Egeler SA, Chen AD, et al. National mortality rates after outpatient cosmetic surgery and low rates of perioperative deep vein thrombosis screening and prophylaxis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;142(1):90-98. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000004499
By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN
Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.
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