Today, cosmetic plastic surgery is among the best surgical procedures in the medical field. Although complications are rare, and procedures are generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, there are still risks.
How do we minimize the risks of cosmetic plastic surgery?
1. Treat cosmetic surgery as a serious medical procedure. Sometimes the fact that cosmetic surgery is electric influences how you perceive it. If you are undergoing surgery for cosmetic reasons, you may think of it as a way to go to a beauty salon and have a haircut. It is important to understand that the body is no different from trauma from cosmetic surgery from any other surgery. As with any other surgical procedure, complications and minimization of risks are possible, it is important to approach cosmetic surgery as a serious medical procedure.
2 Make sure you fully understand the procedure you are considering. The degree of complications and risks of plastic surgery largely depends on the type of surgical procedure being performed, and one of the ways to minimize the risks is to arm yourself with the knowledge of the procedure. Minor complications and unmet expectations can be minimized by fully understanding the risks and benefits associated with the procedure you are considering.
3 Don't be one of the first to try new technology. , Innovative technologies and new surgical methods are constantly being introduced through the media, and from time to time the complications for these procedures have not been fully documented or evaluated. For example, the problem of hyperpigmentation caused by laser treatment appeared only after more than a year of its introduction. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least eighteen months, as soon as the new technology is released before it is tried. New equipment requires large investments, and, unfortunately, some doctors want to quickly return their investments.
4. Choose your plastic surgeon. The advantage of electrosurgery is that you have time to do research, get second opinions and choose your surgeon. The best way to minimize the risk is to choose a reliable plastic surgeon who is certified and has the experience and skills necessary for a successful operation.
a. Choose a qualified, certified on-board plastic surgeon. It must be certified by an organization that is recognized by the country's Surgery Board. In the Philippines, the Philippine Plastic Surgery Commission (PBPS) is the only organization recognized by the Philippine College of Surgeons to provide certification in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. This certification ensures that the surgeon has completed, completed an accredited training program in the field of plastic surgery and has reached a certain level of skills and competence.
b. Check if the surgeon has hospital benefits. Before a hospital provides benefits to physicians, they usually require adherence to certain training standards and competencies.
from. Choose a plastic surgeon who is experienced in the specific procedure of cosmetic plastic surgery you will do. Also important is the level of experience that a plastic surgeon has. How long does the surgeon perform the procedure? Often, the experience of the surgeon determines his ability to visualize the final result and his ability to cope with any complications. The more things he did, the better his opinion and the less risks. A deceptively simple procedure, such as rhinoplasty, can have extremely diverse results, depending on the surgeon who performs the procedure.
5. Do not be tempted by low price Although the prices of cosmetic surgery procedures vary widely, you want to make sure that you do not sacrifice safety and quality at a lower price. Check the products or implants that the surgeon will use for your procedure. Ensure that it does not use substandard products or variations of well-known, FDA-approved brands used to reduce costs.
6 Check out the surgical equipment and support staff. Although many cosmetic surgery procedures can be safely performed in outpatient clinics, others should only be carried out in an inpatient setting. Make sure that the operating system is equipped with the most modern tools and complies with the safety standards of the operating system, personnel and surgeon personnel. Check the credentials of the support staff, especially the anesthetist.
7 Discuss your expectations and concerns with your plastic surgeon. The most common risks for cosmetic surgery are unsatisfactory results and / or unmet expectations. Good communication is important to minimize the risk of unmet expectations. The responsible surgeon assesses whether your expectations are realistic and explains to you what he can do to help you. He will clearly and in detail explain the potential side effects and risks and the possibility of secondary procedures. Although your plastic surgeon can and should do several things to minimize your chances of unsatisfactory results, even the most qualified plastic surgeons deal with factors that are not under their control, for example, how tissues heal.
8. Make sure you are physically fit for surgery. Patient evaluation is an important prerequisite for surgery. Your plastic surgeon should carefully monitor you and minimize the risks; he must make sure that you are physically and emotionally a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. The degree of complications and risks in plastic surgery is largely determined by the patient's state of health and physiology. If you have diabetes, heart disease and allergies, if you smoke or are older, you will have a greater risk of complications than if you are young and healthy. In some cases, your surgeon will require you to undergo a primary health care check-up from your doctor to make sure that he is safe to continue. Try to physically fit as much as possible, stop smoking, take blood tests and physical examination before undergoing an operation.
9. Tell your surgeon about any past and present medical conditions. Complications can be minimized by revealing your entire medical history to your surgeon. You should also tell him about all prescribed or over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that you take on a regular basis.
10. Check the surgeon's instructions before surgery. Sometimes patients ignore the preoperative instructions of the surgeon, believing that this does not matter much. It is important to understand that to minimize the risks you need to prepare your body for the operation, following the advice of your surgeon. For example, before surgery, you will be asked to stop taking medicines that may contribute to bleeding. If you smoke, your surgeon will advise you to stop at least two weeks before the surgery.
eleven. After surgery, carefully follow the instructions of your surgeon. Always follow the surgeon's instructions for post-operative care. They are carefully designed to minimize the risk of complications. Your specific instructions will vary depending on the surgery being performed, but in general your surgeon will instruct you to avoid actions that may interfere with the healing process. If you smoke, you will be advised to stop at least two weeks after the operation to help in healing the wounds. You will also be instructed to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages and to take any medications containing aspirin, as they will increase bruising and may even cause internal bleeding. You will be given instructions for proper wound care. Proper care of your incision affects the scar that you will ever have. For some procedures, you will be asked to wear ancillary clothing to help your body adjust. You can also help minimize complications such as swelling when walking. By following the instructions of your surgeon, you are sure that the surgery will have the best results.
12. Avoid strenuous activity for several weeks after surgery. During the initial postoperative period, spend at least a week from your daily life, allowing yourself time to rest and recover. Excessive physical activity can lead to unnecessary replacement or bleeding. Thus, your surgeon will advise you to limit exercise for a certain period.
13. Contact your surgeon immediately if you have any complications after surgery. Even if your surgeon makes an appointment with you, do not wait for a scheduled date to consult about any unusual symptoms, such as excessive pain or bleeding, fever or an abnormal swelling.
There are many postoperative complications and the expected side effects in cosmetic surgery procedures. Most of them are temporary and can be easily processed when they are detected earlier. Cosmetic surgery is not an exact science, and the body does not always respond in a predictable way. Thus, although serious complications in cosmetic plastic surgery are unusual when they are performed by skilled and experienced plastic surgeons, they occur from time to time, even with the most careful surgeons in the most stringent conditions. Persons with the lowest risk of complications are patients who are reliably young, in excellent health condition and strictly adhere to pre- and postoperative instructions.
