Being aware of the risks of any decision that you are making will prepare you for any possible outcome. An outcome may be good or bad but knowing the risks and being educated about a thing that you are trying to pursue will prepare you to handle the circumstances. This goes the same with any surgery. We all know that any type of surgery, be it big or small can carry some form of risks. The risks should not be ignored because it can be a life and death situation and knowing the risks may save your life or career.

One of the most popular procedure today is plastic surgery. Plastic surgery can be reconstructive procedure or a cosmetic operation. Whatever the case, there are so many people that undergo plastic surgery around the world. In the US, cosmetic surgery is a booming business that earns $10.1 billion  each year as stated by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 91% of the patients are women and 5% of them undergoes more procedures as of 2010. The largest percentage of women are not just going for a simple procedure to become younger. Most of the women are undergoing invasive plastic surgery.

Let’s try to look at the numbers – for women  in their 30s. Cosmetic procedures went up to 4% while 30% of all liposuction procedure are between the ages of 19 to 34 as per the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Many plastic surgeons and psychologists  fear that many of these women do not fully understand the potential dangers and the risks of these cosmetic procedures. Dr. Anne Wallace, chief of plastic surgery at the University of California stated that just like any surgery, it should be taken very seriously.

Although in general, plastic surgery is safe but many plastic surgeons want you to understand the full spectrum of unintended emotional, physical and the cultural side effects that will let you think twice about it.

Botched Beauty Procedures

A recent study  found that liposuction can slim down one target area while creating another issue. Liposuction destroys fat cells and the specific target area. When women gain weight after liposuction, the treated area will naturally re-grow fat but it will be distributed unevenly. This uneven look will surely result to a less flattering look especially if it happens in the back of the arms, abdomen and the back. Plastic surgeons also warn that changing one’s body feature will sometimes give an unbalanced appearance. For example, a tummy tuck may cause the thighs look out of proportion. Plump lips can make a normal nose look obtrusive. Some plastic surgeons stated that there were cases  where Botox injections paralyzed some facial muscles that caused the other active facial muscles to look odd.

If let’s say the patient  is not financially secure or emotionally stable, the results of any procedure can be a disaster as said by Dr. Robin Yuan, a plastic surgeon and author of the book Behind the Mask, Beneath the Glitter. According to Dr. Yuan, any person who is already insecure about their looks may suffer confidence issues if the surgery goes not what is expected. The plastic surgeon also said that many patients loan money  for the initial surgery but if they need additional or follow-up procedures, it can mess up their finances.

Damage Below The Surface

Any patient who will undergo cosmetic surgery should be emotionally and mentally prepared. The stress surgery gives, lack of sleep and recuperation that includes swelling, bruising, pain and in some cases depression. When a patient goes for a face lift, the person will really look like a beaten–up person, then the person will realize that changes are all real and with it comes the side effects. According to Dr. Joseph Hullet, a senior medical director and psychiatrist of Optum Health, there are three emotional stages after surgery. It begins with depression as the person is in the healing process, the second is the honeymoon phase when the person sees the results and the third is it can either satisfaction or disappointment. A patient can be satisfied if the results are within realistic expectations. It can be a disappointment if they are fantasizing that the physical change will result to more attention, getting an attractive partner or a promotion. This rarely happens of course. And their expectation of beauty may go up even if the procedure was just an improvement. Some patients may become deeply disappointed if they see the result as not perfect.

Any patient should be prepared emotionally, physically and financially. A trusted plastic surgeon will be able to explain everything about a specific procedure. The preparations before and after surgery will be explained and relayed to the patient to prepare them and lower the risks of any complications or disappointments.