Cosmetic surgery is a surgical procedure carried out by a plastic surgery to improve the "appearance" of any particular part of a body. Majority of these surgeries are voluntary whereas in some cases such as severe injuries it can become essential medically. Regardless of the reason for carrying out this procedure certain risks are posed on the patient. But these risks vary from individual to individual and the procedure being used by the surgeon to carry out the treatment. The people who are diabetic or are chain smokers are more vulnerable to the after effects of cosmetic surgery. The people who are heart patients or have heart problems must take cautions in the use of general anesthetic. Overweight people suffer from the same complication. These complications can take the form of stroke because of increased blood pressure or abnormal heartbeat. The first risk to every patient is of scarring and while very effort is made to minimize the scars and bruises they do prevail. But often vanish quickly and on their own depending on the type of skin. This is more common for ethnic minorities because their dark skin color get thicker and raised scars.
Like all other forms of surgeries cosmetic surgery can cause infections. It occurs most commonly along the incision. However it may appear in other forms too like sinus infection and bladder infection. The reason is that as the body tries to heal after the surgery the immune system weakens which causes redness, rashes etc around the incision. These infections must be immediately reported to the surgeon for timely treatment. Now days with the advancement in this field resulting in the use of antibiotics the risks of infection are far less. But for people who take supplements, steroids or who smoke are more prone to serious infection.
Cosmetic surgery involves working with the nerves. Even the expert surgeons cant ensure the safety of the nerves. Nerves are the most sensitive part of the body and hence any damage to it can take a severe form. The effects can range from minimal to maximum. At the very least nerve damage nerves may cause tingling sensations in the affected area and in the most extreme form can render parts of the body useless. For example if damage occurs during the breast lift an entire arm can stop functioning which makes it useless for the patient.
Blood clotting and excess blood loss is likely in almost all forms of surgery. Any surgery will be followed by continuous bleeding for a few hours.
Blood may accumulate under the incision resulting in a condition called hematoma and it changes the color of the skin into blue or purple and is visible by appearance. The area suffers a pain but by removing the blood pool surgically or when the body's self anti clotting mechanisms absorbs the accumulated blood the pain gets significantly reduced. However if it is not removed it may have serious repercussions. Blood clotting may lead to numbness, swelling, inflammation and skin death.
The most serious and least common after effect of a cosmetic surgery is eventual death of the patient. In most of the rare cases, the existing unsuitable medical condition of the patient and inappropriate use of the anesthesia during the procedure cause death of the patient. These effects may happen during the surgery or at any point during the first month after the procedure. Thus careful analysis of the patient's health, its existing diseases, and his inner condition are most vital to be known by the surgeon before the surgery for the best preventive measures.