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By Melissa Tennen, healthAtoZ writer
You're thinking of getting liposuction or perhaps a tummy tuck. You may then think that just because your surgery is not meant to treat a health problem such as cancer or heart disease, that it is no big deal. However, plastic surgery is no different from other types of operations in that it has risks to your health and to your life.
Your doctor
Be sure your surgeon is board-certified. To be board-certified, a doctor must typically go through fours years of medical school and extensive specialty training including 5 years of a surgical residency and at least 2 years of specialty training in plastic surgery. He or she must also have passed certain qualifying examinations. If you use a board-certified surgeon, your chance of developing complications is lower.
Do your homework when choosing a surgeon:
- Your surgeon's credentials. Check on the physician's medical license, certifications and professional society memberships.
- Your surgeon's experience. Ask your doctor about his or her education and training. Is your surgeon a specialist in the procedure you want done? How often has your doctor done the procedure?
Discuss with your doctor
Bear in mind that everyone is different - the way your body is made up, your medical and family history, and your expectations. Talk about your risks with your doctor. Be sure to discuss:
- Your medical conditions. If you have heart disease or lung problems or you are obese, you are more likely to have complications.
- Your smoking and/or drinking. Those who smoke or drink excessively also have a greater risk of problems.
- Your medications. Certain herbs and medications may increase the risk of bleeding or may affect how well your blood can clot. Be sure to tell your surgeon all of the medications you are taking.
Possible problems
Here are some problems that may develop during or immediately after your surgery:
- General anesthesia means you are asleep during the surgery and do not feel any pain. Certain kinds of liposuction, nose reshaping and other kinds of surgery need you to be unconscious. You may have a reaction to the anesthesia or sedation itself. You may also develop complications such as blood clots, brain damage, heart attack, nerve damage, stroke and other problems. You could even die.
- Infection. This is rare; your medical team takes great pains to keep everything as free from bacteria as possible. However, infections can still happen and can be very serious. The longer your surgery, the greater your risk.
- Blood clots. A blood clot can be deadly. The longer your surgery takes, the more likely a blood clot can occur. Obesity and not moving enough after surgery can cause blood to pool in your legs. This can lead to blood clots. When a blood clot from the leg breaks loose and travels to the lung, it is called a pulmonary embolus. This is prevented by taking medications called blood thinners. If you have had liposuction in your legs, you will probably need to wear a compression jacket - a band of material that is tight against your mid-section.
- Drop in blood pressure. It's normal for your blood pressure to drop during the procedure. If the drop is too sudden, you may develop an irregular heart beat or a heart attack.
- Loose "stitches." These may become loose, which can lead to bleeding inside you or a hernia. More surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
You can help lower certain risks by following the advice and the instructions of your surgeon, both before and after your surgery. In addition, schedule your surgery at a facility that is accredited by a national or state-recognized organization such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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