The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Side Effects vs. Complications - Thursday, October 23, 2008

At The Center, P.C. we put a high value on patient education and will always want to make sure that you fully understand the procedure you have chosen. One of the topics discussed will be what side effects to expect during the recovery period, and another will be what potential complications might develop.

Side Effects

Side effects are minor and temporary consequences after any surgical procedure. They clear themselves up in the immediate aftermath of surgery, especially if you follow closely the instructions your cosmetic surgeon will give you for self-care.

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Temporary pain or discomfort
• Minor bleeding
• Itching
• Temporarily reduced physical movement or flexibility, depending on what procedure you had

Side effects are part of the body's healing response to surgery and are temporary conditions to be managed and minimized until they disappear.

Complications

Complications are more serious health problems which were not expected, or were thought to be very unlikely and which sometimes cause death or permanent disability.

Complications are rare when surgery is well-done by a fully-trained and experienced physician on somebody who was a good candidate for the procedure. Patient screening is the first step in avoiding complications, and we are rigorous about performing surgery only on those who are good candidates for it. Preventive action is always taken by reputable surgeons also, such as antibiotics to prevent infection.

Examples of complications are:

• Hematoma (blood clot)
• Pulmonary embolism (blockage of the lungs by a traveling blood clot)
• Severe bleeding
• Seroma (a pocket of fluid build-up) which may leave a hard lump
• Infection

Sometimes complications result from an unexpected accident that disturbs the surgical site. Sometimes the cause is not fully understood. In most cases complications can be handled by prompt medical action such as special dressings or a drug to reduce bleeding. Hospitalization may be necessary or a follow-up procedure.

Complications can also be the result of not following your plastic surgeon's self-care instructions after your surgery. Our surgeons will never send you home without first being sure that you are in a safe and stable condition, and that you understand how to take care of yourself during recovery. You will have written instructions that you can refer to if you forget anything. They also perform your follow-up in person, monitoring your progress and watching for any early signs of a problem.

To learn more about a procedure you are interested in having, please contact our plastic surgeons by email or phone and schedule a personal consultation.