Risks & Complications of Plastic Surgery

General Anaesthesia: In healthy people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques, however there are an array of potential complications that can occur during or after general anaesthesia. These can be as minor as bruising at the cannula site or muscle soreness and as major as an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, which can be life threatening. Common complications are nausea, vomiting and sore throats. Dr Paterson will give you the details of your anaesthetist before surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Breast shape can change over time: The implants may become out of harmony in this situation and may need revision surgery. While it is true that implants can “be removed down the track” they do have effects on the tissues surrounding them. Many of these changes will not be totally reversed just because the implant is removed.

Capsular Contracture: Any foreign implant in the body produces scar tissue around it. The amount of this varies between patients. Different techniques are used to minimise the extent of this problem. In approximately 5-10% of patients, this may be quite severe necessitating revision surgery. Even then further capsule formation can recur.

Infection in the wound: If this does occur, it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets. Infection affecting the implant: Despite best sterile surgical technique and covering antibiotics in a small proportion the implants can become infected. Sometimes this can be treated with antibiotics, but it may be necessary to take the implants out and replace them at a later time to completely resolve the infection.

Scars: Typically, the resulting scars are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with Dr Paterson to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Sensation: This is rarely altered with surgery. The nipple area may be numb or may even become more sensitive. This may affect both normal sensation and erotic sensation. Generally, this settles down over weeks to months.

Symmetry: The final result will take several months to achieve. Women have different sized or shaped breasts before surgery. These differences are taken into account for your operation, but small differences may continue to exist or even new ones created. Small differences may be increased after augmentation. Scars may also be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Rippling: Modern implants have fewer rippling effects, but this varies between patients and is largely dependent on the amount of soft tissue covering the implant.

Wound separation/delayed healing: This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Seroma: Clear like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually, it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Bleeding/Hematoma: This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Smoking: As cigarette smoke constricts the small blood vessels within the tissue, smokers have a higher incidence of wound healing problems. In particular, smokers are much more likely to develop wound breakdown and infection. For this reason, it is important to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Following surgery, there is a risk that blood may accumulate in the veins of the lower legs. Post-surgery, these clots can dislodge from the vein walls of the calves and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

Individual results will vary from patient to patient according to factors including but not limited to, genetics, environment and lifestyle factors. All surgery carries possible risk and recovery times. Before proceeding with surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.

General Anaesthesia: In healthy people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques, however there are an array of potential complications that can occur during or after general anaesthesia. These can be as minor as bruising at the cannula site or muscle soreness and as major as an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, which can be life threatening. Common complications are nausea, vomiting and sore throats. Dr Paterson will give you the details of your anaesthetist before surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Infection in the wound: If this does occur, it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets.

Scars: Typically, the resulting scars are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with Dr Paterson to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Sensation: This is rarely altered with surgery. The nipple area may be numb or may even become more sensitive. This may affect both normal sensation and erotic sensation. Generally, this settles down over weeks or months.

Symmetry: The final result will take several months to achieve. Women have different sized or shaped breasts before surgery. These differences are taken into account for your operation, but small differences may continue to exist or even new ones created. Small differences may be increased after breast reduction surgery. Scars may also be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Wound separation/delayed healing: This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Seroma: Clear like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually, it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Bleeding/Hematoma: This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Smoking: As cigarette smoke constricts the small blood vessels within the tissue, smokers have a higher incidence of wound healing problems. In particular, smokers are much more likely to develop wound breakdown and infection. For this reason, it is important to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Following surgery, there is a risk that blood may accumulate in the veins of the lower legs. Post-surgery, these clots can dislodge from the vein walls of the calves and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

Individual results will vary from patient to patient according to factors including but not limited to, genetics, environment and lifestyle factors. All surgery carries possible risk and recovery times. Before proceeding with surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.

General Anaesthesia: In healthy people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques, however there are an array of potential complications that can occur during or after general anaesthesia. These can be as minor as bruising at the cannula site or muscle soreness and as major as an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, which can be life threatening. Common complications are nausea, vomiting and sore throats. Dr Paterson will give you the details of your anaesthetist before surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Infection in the wound: If this does occur, it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets.

Scars: Typically, the resulting scars are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with Dr Paterson to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Sensation: This is rarely altered with surgery. The nipple area may be numb or may even become more sensitive. This may affect both normal sensation and erotic sensation. Generally, this settles down over weeks or months.

Symmetry: The final result will take several months to achieve. Women have different sized or shaped breasts before surgery. These differences are taken into account for your operation, but small differences may continue to exist or even new ones created. Small differences may be increased after breast reduction surgery. Scars may also be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Wound separation/delayed healing: This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Seroma: Clear like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually, it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Bleeding/Hematoma: This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Smoking: As cigarette smoke constricts the small blood vessels within the tissue, smokers have a higher incidence of wound healing problems. In particular, smokers are much more likely to develop wound breakdown and infection. For this reason, it is important to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Following surgery, there is a risk that blood may accumulate in the veins of the lower legs. Post-surgery, these clots can dislodge from the vein walls of the calves and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

Individual results will vary from patient to patient according to factors including but not limited to, genetics, environment and lifestyle factors. All surgery carries possible risk and recovery times. Before proceeding with surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.

General Anaesthesia: In healthy people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques, however there are an array of potential complications that can occur during or after general anaesthesia. These can be as minor as bruising at the cannula site or muscle soreness and as major as an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, which can be life threatening. Common complications are nausea, vomiting and sore throats. Dr Paterson will give you the details of your anaesthetist before surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Infection in the wound: If this does occur; it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets.

Scars: Typically, the resulting scars are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with Dr Paterson to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Note: The resulting scar is across the lower abdomen from hip to hip and designed to be hidden by most underwear/bathers as well as a small scar around the umbilicus (belly button).

Asymmetry: The scars may be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Wound separation/delayed healing: This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Wound healing issues: Stretch marks may not all be removed, or new ones may be created. Gathers in the wound are often present at either end. These settle over several weeks to months in the most cases but sometimes may need a small revision often under local anaesthetic. Initially, there is almost always some contour issues or puckers. These settle down in most cases over several weeks.

Numbness: Almost always occurs in the skin of the abdomen but usually settles down over the next few weeks to months.

Seroma: Clear like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually, it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Bleeding/Hematoma: This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Smoking: As cigarette smoke constricts the small blood vessels within the tissue, smokers have a higher incidence of wound healing problems. In particular, smokers are much more likely to develop wound breakdown and infection. For this reason, it is important to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Following surgery, there is a risk that blood may accumulate in the veins of the lower legs. Post-surgery, these clots can dislodge from the vein walls of the calves and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

Individual results will vary from patient to patient according to factors including but not limited to, genetics, environment and lifestyle factors. All surgery carries possible risk and recovery times. Before proceeding with surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.

General Anaesthesia: In healthy people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques, however there are an array of potential complications that can occur during or after general anaesthesia. These can be as minor as bruising at the cannula site or muscle soreness and as major as an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, which can be life threatening. Common complications are nausea, vomiting and sore throats. Dr Paterson will give you the details of your anaesthetist before surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Infection in the wound: If this does occur, it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets.

Scars: Typically, the resulting scars are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with Dr Paterson to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Sensation: This is rarely altered with surgery. The labia area may be numb or may even become more sensitive. Generally, this settles down over weeks or months.

Symmetry: The final result will take several months to achieve. Women have different sized or shaped labia before surgery. These differences are taken into account for your operation, but small differences may continue to exist or even new ones created. Scars may also be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Wound separation/delayed healing: This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Seroma: Clear like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually, it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Bleeding/Hematoma: This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Smoking: As cigarette smoke constricts the small blood vessels within the tissue, smokers have a higher incidence of wound healing problems. In particular, smokers are much more likely to develop wound breakdown and infection. For this reason, it is important to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Following surgery, there is a risk that blood may accumulate in the veins of the lower legs. Post-surgery, these clots can dislodge from the vein walls of the calves and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

Individual results will vary from patient to patient according to factors including but not limited to, genetics, environment and lifestyle factors. All surgery carries possible risk and recovery times. Before proceeding with surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.