People seeking to enhance their existing features often ask, “How Safe is Plastic Surgery?” They raise this question out of confusion and anxiety brought on by hearing other opinions and going through a mix of stories, some successful and some scary.

Well, all surgeries pose risks. However, modern plastic surgery is safer than thought of- only when done on a suitable candidate, for the right purpose, by skilled and artistic hands of the qualified surgeon, while strictly adhering to precautions before plastic surgery and post-surgery instructions.

Understanding potential risks is the first step toward reducing them. This blog is drafted after taking insights from the best plastic surgeons in Mumbai.

How Safe is Plastic Surgery? What Determines Plastic Surgery Success Rate or Safety?

Plastic surgery safety depends on certain factors, discussed below:

Factors that Are in Your Hands

• Your General Health- An overall good well-being, a totally fit mind and body, is a must to avoid potential risks. Pre-existing health issues like diabetes, hypertension, or congenital heart disease can interfere with surgery and its outcome.
• Your Lifestyle- Maintaining a normal Body Mass Index and having no bad habits like smoking and alcohol intake will only ensure safer surgery, smooth recovery, and a higher success rate.
• Your Expectations- Having mental and emotional stability and being ready for an operation after knowing all about it is important for a safe, successful surgery. Open and honest communication with the surgeon can only help set realistic expectations and develop a tailored plan of action.
• Your Selection for Plastic Surgeon- Choosing a certified, qualified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and expertise, as well as artistic sensibility in performing a specific surgery, will contribute to the safety and success.
• Your Compliance with Surgeon’s Instructions- Serious complications can be mitigated if all the pre- and post-surgery guidelines are diligently followed.

Factors that are In the Hands of Your Chosen Surgeon

• The Clinic of Practice- When surgery is executed at an accredited surgical facility, it is done while following standard safety measures and hygiene standards. This reduces the risk of complications, such as infection.  
• The Anaesthesia - The Right type of anaesthesia is provided only by a qualified, experienced anaesthesiologist or a certified, registered nurse. The best plastic surgeon will appoint the best anaesthesiologist or a certified, registered nurse to provide anaesthesia, monitor the patient's vital signs, and ensure there are no anaesthesia-related complications.
• The Post-Operative Care Plan- Commitment to all aftercare instructions provided by the surgeon is essential for proper recovery and to minimize complications. This includes attending all scheduled follow-ups to monitor the surgery's progress and results.
• The Chosen Approach: An experienced plastic surgeon will perform the best-suited surgical technique to ensure optimal results and a quicker recovery.
• The Complexity and Length of the Surgery Chosen to Perform- More complex, extensive plastic surgery has a comparatively higher risk of complications.

Common Complications of Plastic Surgery

Some reported risks of plastic surgery include:

• Slow healing of the surgical wound or dehiscence
• Infection- redness, swelling, and pus formation at the incision site
• Bleeding or hematoma- a blood pocket formed under the skin
• Scarring- probably hypertrophic or keloid scars
• Edema/seroma- Fluid buildup under the skin, leading to swelling
• Nerve damage- leading to temporary or permanent tingling sensation, numbness, or muscle weakness
• Smokers, diabetics, obese people, and heart patients are more likely to experience serious plastic surgery side effects.  

How to reduce risks in plastic surgery? The Safety Measures

Decided to go ahead with plastic surgery? Here’s what is a must at different phases of your journey to ensure your satisfaction with the surgery outcome:

• Select the right surgeon and clinic. Do thorough research on the surgeon and their practice before choosing them for your desired plastic surgery. The surgeon’s expertise and experience, and the facility’s accreditation and reputation, play a role in the safety of the surgery.
• Be free-spoken. Disclose all necessary information, such as current prescriptions, use of supplements, lifestyle habits, and existing medical conditions, to the surgeon so that suitability for the surgery can be determined and proper planning and execution can be carried out.
• Quit smoking. If a smoker, stop nicotine use for a minimum of one month before the surgery to avoid delayed healing and risk of infection.
• Avoid certain medications and supplements. Anything that could thin blood and increase the risk of bleeding must be avoided.
• Switch to a healthy diet and maintain hydration. A nutritious diet plan and enough water intake can only help ensure smooth healing.
• Take recovery support. Arrange for someone to drive home after surgery and provide at-home care for the initial days.
• Follow all the surgeon's instructions. Strictly adhere to all the guidelines provided before and after the surgery. This includes proper wound care, gentle walking to prevent blood clots, managing activities until complete healing, and attending all scheduled check-ups.
• Have the right mindset. Be thorough about what surgery can do and have reasonable expectations about the results you hope to achieve. Beware of deals that give false promises, as investing in cheap surgery will be risky.

The Final Thoughts: Your Role is First to Ensure Your Safety During Plastic Surgery.

Plastic surgery’s safety depends on the patient. If you are successful in finding the best plastic surgeon and a reputable plastic surgery clinic for yourself and follow all recommended guidelines, nothing can stop you from having safe plastic surgery and being satisfied with the results.

Clinic to Choose for Plastic Surgery in Mumbai

Choose Dr. Parag Telang at Designer Bodyz Clinic to benefit from a safe plastic surgery procedure. He and his team ensure  the patient achieves safe and desired outcomes. If you want a life-changing transformation, visit a good and reputed plastic or cosmetic surgery centre.

Note: This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical consultation.