All surgery carries a risk, and when that surgery is elective, rather than a medical necessity, it is important to assess the risk to reward ratio. It is important to ask yourself, do the rewards of plastic surgery outweigh the potential risks involved.
With plastic surgery, that decision is just as important as it is with any other elective procedure. We’ve taken the time to analyse some of those risks and benefits for you, to help you to make a decision.
Physical risks of plastic surgery
There are certain physical health risks that are common to all surgical procedures – although it is worth bearing in mind that the risk with all these complications is minimal. These include:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Paralysis
- Risks from the anaesthetic, including allergic reactions to the drugs used
- Nerve damage
There is also the risk that you will be dissatisfied with the results and so will require further corrective surgery. This risk is arguably greater with cosmetic surgery than with other procedures, as the perceived success of the procedure is even more subjective.
All these risks will be discussed in detail with the surgeon before you undergo any procedure, and the potential for an unsatisfactory outcome can be minimised by undergoing a thorough consultation beforehand.
Psychological risks of plastic surgery
There is no doubt that cosmetic plastic surgery does carry some psychological risk. These should be thoroughly addressed by your surgeon at the consultation stage. Any reputable surgeon will dissuade you from surgery if they feel it presents a risk to your mental health.
Things you should consider in terms of the psychological impact of surgery include:
- Reactions of family and friends – not everyone will think you’ve made the right decision. How will you feel if they express that to you?
- Having surgery might improve the specific issue you are having addressed, but it won’t change anything else in your life. This leads to the question – are you having this done for the right reasons?
It is also important to think about whether you may suffer from body dysmorphia syndrome. Do you look in the mirror and see only flaws? Once you have fixed this particular ‘problem’, will something else crop up to take its place?
Rewards of plastic surgery
Provided you are having it done for the right reasons and are aware of all the risks, plastic surgery can be life changing.
Some procedures, like breast reduction, genuinely can produce a huge, quantifiable improvement in your daily life. Women report an almost immediate reduction in back pain, clothes fit better, and they are able to take part in activities they’ve had to avoid for years.
Micro lipo can be the trigger needed to lead a healthier lifestyle, exercise more and improve our overall wellbeing.
For many procedures, the main reward is psychological. The boost to your self esteem can be enormous, especially when a particular issue has been bothering you for years.
Ear surgery is one such procedure. Other people may not even notice what your ears look like. But if you feel like your ears protrude too much, or the lobes hang too low, then having the problem corrected can provide a major improvement in your self image.
Scar revision surgery can also be lifechanging. To have a ‘flaw’ removed from your body can make all the difference to your self confidence.
Mr Michael Mouzakis provides a full and thorough consultation to all his patients, to ensure that all the risks and benefits of surgery are discussed. To book an appointment with Mr Michael Mouzakis at The Private Clinic of Harley Street, call us on 020 3325 6540.
