As with any surgical procedure, there will be the possibility of certain complications occurring. Each of our patients must be made aware of these, before proceeding with any surgery. There can be general risks associated with most types of procedures, as well as specific risks associated with the particular method used. Individually, your health can also influence your personal risk level.
Informing You Of Procedure Risks And Complications
Before undergoing any procedure at Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, you will meet with your surgeon for a detailed and informative consultation. After assessing your needs and discussing the procedure’s approach, your surgeon will make sure that you are fully aware of the possible risks and complications.
We will also inform you of what we will do to minimise risks and the steps you can take before and after your surgery.
How You Can Minimise Surgery Risks
During Preparation
- Carefully Select a Qualified and Experienced Surgeon
Take the time to research and choose a surgeon who has the right qualifications and extensive experience in the specific type of procedure you want to undergo. In Australia, check that your surgeon is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). They may also be a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). - Be Honest with Your Surgeon About Your Medical History
During the consultation process for your procedure, your surgeon will need to discuss your medical history. Ensuring that you’re medically suitable for your particular surgery helps to minimise risks. You should be completely honest about any current or past medical conditions (including any allergies), previous surgeries you have had and any medications you take. - Ensure Any Chronic Health Conditions Are Well-Managed
If you have any health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes or another chronic condition, these will need to be sufficiently under control before you undergo your procedure. Proper management reduces the risk of complications during and after the procedure. - Follow Your Pre-Surgery Guidelines
One of the most important steps you can take to minimise your surgery risks is to closely follow your preparation instructions. These will be provided by your surgeon during the consultation process. - Undergo Preoperative Assessments
You may need to have some preoperative tests before your surgery. These assessments can help to ensure that you are suitable for surgery, as well as assess your personal risk level. They can also identify any possible concerns that may need to be addressed before surgery.
Steps That Can Minimise Surgery Risks
During Recovery
- Follow Your Recovery Guidelines
Your surgeon will provide you with recovery instructions to follow after your surgery, and you should closely follow these. Your instructions will guide you on how to care for your incision sites, manage discomfort and swelling, encourage healing and more. They will be specifically designed to minimise risks and prevent any issues occurring. - Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Making sure that you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help your body heal after surgery. You should follow a nutritious diet, stay hydrated, and get regular exercise. - Quit Smoking and Avoid Alcohol
Both smoking and alcohol can slow your healing process down and raise the likelihood of experiencing certain complications, so it will be highly important to avoid these during recovery. - Attend Your Post-Surgery Follow-Up Appointments
Make it a priority to attend all scheduled follow-up visits with your surgeon. These appointments are necessary to monitor your healing, and spot any possible complications early. - Promptly Seek Advice for Any Concerns
If you have any concerns during your recovery, addressing them as soon as possible can ensure that you get the right treatment and prevent any further complications. You should contact your surgeon or seek immediate medical attention, if necessary.
General Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Risks
There are some general risks of plastic and cosmetic surgery that can apply to most procedures. It’s important to be aware of these and discuss your personal risk level, considering your type of surgery and your health.
Swelling, Bruising And Post-Surgical Discomfort
Experiencing some level of discomfort after a surgical procedure is normal. Swelling and bruising can also commonly occur, and should subside during recovery. There is a risk of prolonged swelling and discomfort, but this can be minimised by following recovery instructions and staying on top of pain management methods, such as taking pain medication.
Temporary Or Permanent Numbness
When tissues in a specific area are surgically addressed, it can sometimes cause nerve damage, which can alter sensation. You may experience temporary or permanent numbness or an altered sensation as a result.
Infection
Infections can develop at the surgical site, causing redness, swelling and pain. Infections should be treated promptly if they occur, to prevent further complications. Following instructions for incision care can help to prevent an infection occurring.
Delayed Healing
Sometimes, patients may heal after surgery at a slower rate than what is considered typical. This could be due to having a slower natural healing process, as a result of encountering complications or failing to follow post-operative instructions sufficiently.
Seroma
A seroma occurs when serous fluid collects beneath the skin. In some cases, the fluid must be drained to support proper healing.
Haematoma
A haematoma is when a collection of blood pools underneath the skin. It can lead to bruising, swelling and other possible concerns.
Fat Necrosis
When fat necrosis occurs, fatty tissue within a surgical site may harden. This can sometimes require additional surgery to remove the hardened lumps.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Although rare, blood clots (more commonly occurring in the legs) can occur after surgery. This complication is extremely serious and needs immediate medical attention should it occur.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Rarely, blot clots can also occur in the lungs. As with DVT, this is very serious and would require immediate medical treatment.
Allergic Reactions
Some patients may experience allergic reactions during or after a procedure. This can be due to materials used during surgery, such as sutures.
Asymmetrical Or Unsatisfactory Results
The results of aesthetic-based surgical procedures may sometimes fail to meet your goals. We will aim to avoid this with a thorough consultation process, discussing your goals in detail and managing expectations. Results may also be asymmetrical, which may sometimes prompt the need for another procedure to address.
Scarring
Every surgical procedure that requires incisions will inevitably leave scars. However, the visibility of scarring will depend on the incision placement and pattern, the techniques used by your surgeon, and how well your incision site heals after surgery. There are post-surgical steps you can take to minimise scarring, such as following wound care instructions and implementing further scar prevention or treatment options.
General Anaesthesia-Related Complications
There are some risks that can be involved with the use of general anaesthetic.
Before undergoing surgery, you will need to disclose any previous issues you may have had with general anaesthetic, and any known allergies or health conditions you have. This includes pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
These can include:
- Allergic reactions
- Breathing difficulties
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Changes in blood pressure
- Aspiration (When contents of the stomach enter the lungs)
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) (More common in mature-aged patients)
- Breathing tube complications (Such as postoperative throat discomfort and teeth damage)
- Malignant hyperthermia (Genetic condition)
- Respiratory conditions (Such as pneumonia)
- General discomfort (As the anaesthesia wears off post-surgery)
Take the Time to Do Some Research
Deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery is a personal choice that requires careful thought, thorough research, and proper preparation. Taking the time to educate yourself and make informed decisions will help you approach the process with clarity.
Clarify Your Reasons and Goals
Start by reflecting on why you’re considering cosmetic surgery. Be honest with yourself about your motivations and aim to establish clear and achievable goals for the procedure. Having realistic expectations will be important.
Educate Yourself About the Procedure
Take the time to do your research about the specific procedure you’re considering, including how it’s performed, what recovery is like and its specific risks. We recommend staying away from sources like social media as a resource and sticking to information provided on surgeon’s websites and verified resources.
Learn All About Recovery
Focusing on your specific procedure, you should learn all about the recovery process. Read about how long it typically takes, what you can expect to experience, the instructions you’ll need to follow and any adjustments you’ll need to make to your normal schedule ahead of time. You should also learn about how your surgeon plans to support your recovery and how you can contact them should you need to do so.
Carefully Do Your Research About Your Surgeon
There is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. When undergoing plastic or cosmetic surgery, choosing a qualified plastic surgeon ensures that your surgeon will have the required level of training. Make sure that your surgeon is fully qualified. You can also have a look at their before and after gallery for an idea of the results that they can achieve.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
As part of your pre-surgery research, we recommend asking your surgeon any and all questions you have about the process. You can ask anything about your surgeon’s previous experience or techniques that they use, as well as anything about the surgery or recovery experience.
Carefully Read Your Informed Consent Forms
Before surgery, you’ll need to sign informed consent forms. Please make sure that you read through these carefully and understand the information before you sign.
Risks and Complication by Procedure
Breast Procedures
Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants
A breast augmentation involves placing breast implants to achieve a change in size and/or shape. There are specific risks that can be linked to breast implants, when undergoing a breast augmentation procedure. These risks can include:
- Capsular Contracture: When scar tissue, known as a capsule, develops around the implant and hardens. It typically requires a breast revision procedure to address.
- Rupture: Sometimes, there can be a rupture in the implants, which can lead to leakage of their contents or implant deflation. You would typically require a revision procedure to address this.
- Visible Wrinkling or Rippling: Particularly in patients with less breast tissue or who have chosen saline implants, there can be a noticeable wrinkling or rippling appearance of the implant. As this is more appearance-based, patients may choose to have a revision procedure to alter the results.
- Malposition: After surgery, breast implants may sometimes shift out of place or sit incorrectly. This can affect the results of the procedure and would need revision surgery to address.
- “Breast Implant Illness,” or Implant-Related Health Issues: Rarely, patients may encounter some health difficulties after the procedure that may be linked to breast implants. This may include immune system responses, or other health concerns. Currently, the idea of “Breast Implant Illness” requires further medical study in the field of plastic surgery.
- Mammogram Readings: Another important factor to remember before receiving breast implants is that the implants can sometimes cause difficulties in having a clear mammogram reading. It’s essential that you notify your doctor or specialist that you have breast implants before having a mammogram reading, so that they can make any necessary adjustments to the process.
Your consultation will involve a discussion and a briefing of the specific risks of the type of breast implants you have chosen and how these risks can be minimised, managed or treated.
Reduction Mammaplasty (Breast Reduction)
A breast reduction involves removing breast tissue to reduce their size and weight, and can include the repositioning of the nipple and areolae. The risks that this can be associated with include:
- Breast Asymmetry: Although a breast reduction aims to create symmetry, it’s possible for some level of asymmetry to remain after the procedure.
- Temporary or Permanent Nipple Sensation Changes: Some patients may experience changes in nipple sensation after surgery. This can range from numbness to increased sensitivity and may be temporary or permanent.
- Over-Reducing or Under-Reducing the Breast Size: Sometimes, the size of the breasts may not be reduced to the expected level, or may be reduced beyond the expected level. A careful consultation and planning process is implemented to avoid this.
- Breastfeeding Difficulties: A breast reduction can sometimes affect the milk ducts or milk supply within the breasts, which can lead to possible breastfeeding difficulties.
A discussion about the planned level of reduction and what the procedure may involve can help you know what to expect. You will also receive advice on how to minimise or address complications.
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
A breast lift will involve removing excess breast tissue to elevate the position of the breasts. It can also include repositioning the nipple and areolae. The specific risks associated with a breast lift include:
- Breast Asymmetry: A breast lift can be performed with achieving symmetrical results in mind, but sometimes, the breasts may still be slightly asymmetrical after the procedure. It’s important to remember that achieving perfect symmetry isn’t possible and it is normal for there to be slight asymmetry in the breasts.
- Temporary or Permanent Nipple Sensation Changes: If the nipples will be repositioned during a breast lift, this can lead to permanent or temporary numbness or increased sensitivity.
- Over-Lifting or Under-Lifting the Breasts: In some cases, an excessive amount of lifting may result, or you may find that you are unhappy with the level of lifting achieved. An extensive consultation process is held so that your surgeon can aim to clearly understand your goals and plan the procedure accordingly, which can avoid achieving unsatisfactory results.
- Breastfeeding Difficulties: A breast lift can sometimes affect the milk ducts or milk supply in the breasts. This may lead to possible breastfeeding difficulties.
Your surgeon will assess the level of skin laxity on your breasts and carefully plan your procedure to achieve results that align with your needs and goals. You’ll be able to discuss how the above possible complications can be minimised throughout the process.
Breast Implant Removal
To address breast implant complications after an initial breast augmentation, some patients may need to have a breast implant removal procedure. Since this is another surgery, it can also be associated with its own risks. These risks can include:
- Changes in the Breasts: After breast implants are removed, the breasts may appear deflated, uneven, or have a different shape and size. Additional procedures, such as a breast lift, may be considered to address these changes.
- Skin Laxity: The skin may not retract fully after implant removal, especially if the implants were large or in place for a long period. This can result in excess skin, which patients may choose to address with a further procedure.
- Asymmetry: Some degree of asymmetry may occur following implant removal, as the breasts may settle or heal differently.
- Indentations or Irregularities: The removal of implants can sometimes leave indentations, dimpling, or uneven areas in the breast tissue.
- Changes in Sensation: Temporary or permanent changes in the feeling of the breasts or nipples can occur after implant removal.
A detailed consultation, involving an assessment of your breast implant complications and discussion of your needs, will be held before your procedure. Your consultation will include a discussion of the possible complications associated with breast implant removal and how these are prevented.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision surgery is performed to address breast implant complications. It is similar to the breast implant removal procedure, but may not require a full removal or may involve replacing the original implants with new implants. Apart from the risks listed in the removal procedure, risks of a revision can include:
- Implant-Related Complications: If the original breast implants will be replaced with new implants, the risks of a breast augmentation that are directly related to breast implants will still apply. This can include capsular contracture, rippling, rupture, and malposition.
- Changes in Breast Appearance: The appearance of the breasts may change in terms of shape, size, or profile following the revision, particularly if a different type of implant is chosen or if the breast implants will not be replaced.
If you need breast implant revision surgery, your surgeon will review the reasons for your revision, explain the associated risks, and discuss the results that may be achievable.
Tuberous Breasts Surgery
Surgery to address tuberous breasts, which often involves placing breast implants or tissue expansion, may be associated with the following risks:
- Incomplete Results: Achieving a full adjustment of the tuberous breast shape may sometimes be challenging, and some irregularities may persist.
- Implant-Related Risks: If breast implants are placed, they may be subject to risks like rupture, capsular contracture, or malposition.
- Changes in Sensation: Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation can occur as a result of the procedure.
- Revision Procedures: Some patients may require additional surgeries to further refine the results.
During your consultation, your surgeon will assess the condition of your breasts and discuss your needs to plan your procedure. You’ll discuss the possible risks involved and what you can expect in terms of results.
Breast Fat Transfer
A breast fat transfer involves taking fat from a donor site of your body, such as the abdomen, buttocks or thighs, and transferring it to the breasts for a subtle increase in size. The specific complications that can result from this method include:
- The Absorption of Transferred Fat Cells: The fat transfer process may need to account for the possibility that not all fat cells transferred during the procedure will survive. The body may naturally re-absorb some of the fat cells.
- Needing Multiple Fat Transfer Procedures: Some patients will need more than one breast fat transfer to work towards their goals. This can be due to the fact that not all transferred fat cells may survive after the initial procedure, and that only a limited amount of fat can be transferred per single surgery.
- Temporary or Permanent Changes in Sensation: A breast fat transfer may be associated with changes in sensation of the breasts or nipples.
You’ll be informed of how the breast fat transfer process works, and what you can expect throughout your journey.
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
Male breast reduction surgery, performed to treat gynecomastia, can be associated with its own set of possible risks and complications. These include:
- Changes in Chest Contour: Following the removal of excess glandular tissue or fat, some patients may experience irregularities in the chest contour, such as uneven areas or slight asymmetry.
- Skin Laxity: The skin may not retract fully after tissue removal, particularly in cases where significant amounts of tissue are removed. Additional procedures may be considered to address any excess skin.
- Changes in Sensation: Some patients report temporary or permanent changes in sensation in the chest area or nipples following surgery.
Before proceeding with male breast reduction surgery, you will have an in-depth consultation to assess the severity of your gynecomastia and determine the right treatment approach. Your surgeon will outline the potential risks and explain how they can be minimised.
Body Procedures
Reduction Mammaplasty & Abdominoplasty
Combining breast reduction with abdominoplasty involves addressing two separate areas of the body, which may increase the overall risks. These risks include:
- Increased Recovery Time: The combination of these procedures can lead to a longer recovery period.
- Wound Healing Concerns: Addressing larger areas during surgery may increase the risk of delayed healing or wound complications.
- Asymmetry or Irregularities: Postoperative asymmetry in the breasts or uneven contours in the abdomen may occur.
- Postoperative Abdominal Discomfort: An abdominoplasty is a separate surgery that addresses the abdomen. It can lead to muscle soreness, swelling and bruising.
Your surgeon will carefully assess your suitability for combined breast reduction and abdominoplasty during your consultation. This will include a discussion of the surgical plan, expected recovery, and the ways in which risks will be minimised where possible.
Breast Augmentation & Abdominoplasty
When a breast augmentation with implants is performed alongside abdominoplasty, the risks of each procedure are combined. These include:
- Implant-Related Complications: Breast implants carry risks such as capsular contracture, implant malposition, or rupture.
- Changes in Sensation: Sensory changes in the breast, abdominal area, or both may occur and can be temporary or permanent.
- Longer Recovery: Combining two procedures can extend the overall recovery period, requiring more downtime and careful management.
- Abdominal Discomfort: You can experience muscle soreness, swelling and bruising after an abdominoplasty.
Assessing your suitability for a combined approach is an important step in minimising risks. Your surgeon will discuss your needs and determine if a combined procedure is appropriate.
Mastopexy, Breast Augmentation & Abdominoplasty
Combining a breast lift, augmentation, and abdominoplasty becomes a more complex and extensive procedure. This can come with higher risks and requires a careful evaluation to ensure your suitability. The risks of combining these three procedures include:
- Delayed Healing: The combination of procedures may increase the likelihood of healing complications, such as slow wound closure or infection.
- Longer Recovery Time: Combining three procedures can extend your recovery period and require more downtime.
- Implant-Related Risks: If implants are part of the procedure, complications like rupture, malposition, or capsular contracture may arise.
- Increased Risk of Blood Clots: A longer surgery time and recovery process can heighten the risk of developing blood clots, emphasising the need for preventative measures.
You’ll have an in-depth discussion with your surgeon about the risks of each procedure, how taking a combined approach can influence your risk level and your surgeon will carefully aim to prevent complications.