Excessive plastic surgery – the risks and complications
It is not unusual to get one or even multiple plastic surgery interventions. There are procedures often performed together. For example, most people would get abdominal liposuction too when getting a tummy tuck. Breast lift surgery can also be combined with different procedures, from a tummy tuck to a Brachioplasty. More than this, patients can get several liposuction procedures to address multiple areas of the body, for example. And this is all normal, and it happens all the time. But there is another thing that has happened more and more lately, and this is patients going too far with plastic surgery.
But how much is too much when it comes to plastic surgery? And what are the risks and complications of excessive plastic surgery?
Why do people resort to plastic surgery?
Improving the aspect of the body is the main reason why patients undergo plastic surgery procedures. Getting the desired aspect of the body can help increase self-esteem and have a better self-image. As a result, most people mention having a better quality of life after getting plastic surgery. And this is even without mentioning the functional side of plastic surgery. For example, getting eyelid surgery can improve lateral eye vision for patients with droopy eyelids. Getting a breast reduction surgery can make life (and many, many activities) easier for the patient. And there are many other cases we could discuss.
But there are also side effects and potential risks, and complications associated with even the simplest procedure.
Potential risks and complications when undergoing plastic surgery
Even a paper cut can be painful and might even get infected, so don’t be surprised to find out that all interventions have potential side effects and complications that could occur. Some of them can be prevented if the plastic surgeon is experienced and the patient adopts the right attitude before and after the intervention is performed.
Among the risks and complications, we can mention excessive bleeding, infection, allergic reactions to the anesthetic, seroma and hematoma, swelling, and bruising, to name just a few.
However, one of the potential risks associated with plastic surgery that people forget to mention is the risk of getting unsatisfactory results. Usually, this happens when the expectations are not compatible with reality. And this is one of the reasons why it is crucial to discuss all your concerns with the plastic surgeon before scheduling the intervention. Getting unsatisfactory results is one of the reasons why people undergo repeated surgery. And we’ve heard of quite a few cases lately – people undergoing butt surgery multiple times in a year or botched boob jobs that need one revision surgery after another.
Why do patients need repeated procedures/ revisions?
It is true that plastic surgery procedures results don’t last forever, at least not all of them. And this is normal since our bodies go through different changes and are affected by the passing of time. This means that if you get a breast lift in your mid-30s, you might need a revision surgery 15-20 years later. And this is ok. But if you get a breast enhancement procedure and you need multiple revisions surgeries after, then something went wrong.
This could happen if you choose an inexperienced plastic surgeon. This is why it is recommended to choose a surgeon routinely performing the intervention you are interested in. Also, make sure the surgeon is board-certified.
Another reason why you might need revision surgery is not following the indication of the plastic surgeon. Most procedures come with a list of do’s and don’ts, and this applies before and after the intervention. Usually, the recommendation is to avoid smoking before the procedure and pressure on the incision site after the surgery. But it’s more to it than just this. Sitting on your butt after a BBL can affect the shape of your buttocks. Also, sleeping on the tummy after a breast augmentation can cause implant displacement and a strange shape of the breasts.
Excessive plastic surgery – how much is too much?
We have all heard about people undergoing tens or hundreds of plastic surgery procedures in just a few years to get huge lips, breasts or completely change their body shape or physiognomy. We have seen the real-life Ken doll and several Barbie dolls. Well, these are just some of the examples considered excessive by the specialists. All these people are undergoing procedures as they want to achieve a certain level of fame or make money with their appearance.
However, there are regular people undergoing too much plastic surgery without being in the entertainment industry. There are people who want to look like a celebrity and believe that they could alter their image to look more like their idol. While some similarities might occur as a result of multiple procedures, we are all unique, and it is impossible to alter the features of one person to make them identical to another person. There is a limitation to what can be achieved with plastic surgery, and this limit is dependent on the initial characteristics of the patient.
Undergoing too many plastic interventions can lead to an abnormal body or face shape, as well as terrible cicatrization, infections, and many other complications. Not to mention low self-esteem and the frustration associated with not getting the desired results.
Final words
Plastic surgery is a great tool to enhance the aspect of the body and face. However, when used in excess and without a proper indication, it could lead to more trouble. Excessive plastic surgery interventions are associated with an increased risk of infection, and the more procedures you undergo, the higher are the chances of not getting the desired results. Choose a talented, board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure you have realistic expectations from the procedure.