Safe Plastic Surgery

Any intervention into the human organism, especially surgery, carries risk. When it is elective cosmetic surgery, and not an emergency, risk factors should be avoided as much as possible.

Plastic surgery is performed only when the patient is healthy. In case of local anesthesia, blood pressure must be normal. If the blood pressure is high during ear or eyelid surgery (or while operating on other parts of the face), bruising may start appearing after the procedure. Women should not undertake more complicated surgery, such as face surgery or tummy tuck, during their period.

In case of general anesthesia, the patient is not allowed to undergo surgery during chronic or acute illnesses (for instance, infectious diseases or when the patient has caught a cold). Before the operation, blood tests, reflecting general condition of the organism, are usually carried out. In some cases, additional tests are required.

Often, if the patient is very overweight, plastic surgery is postponed since there is a greater risk of complications for obese people. They should consult with a dietitian and drop some weight before undergoing a surgery. Usually, patients come to plastic surgery specialists expecting to lose weight after liposuction. However, it is not so: after a liposuction procedure, fat is reduced only in the operated areas, so not much fat is actually lost.

The risk of complications is also greater if the patient is a smoker. The blood flow to the skin and deeper layers is restricted; therefore, healing of the tissues affected during the surgery may be impaired. The risk of complications related with general anesthesia is also increased. Patients are recommended to stop or reduce smoking. If a patient smokes more than 10 cigarettes a day, it is already dangerous.

Ever more patients go for plastic reconstructive or cosmetic surgery abroad. They should remember that flights are also a certain risk. By the way, it concerns women more than men. Deep vein thrombosis, also called “economy-class syndrome” is associated with lengthy and uncomfortable sitting in the plane; also, dehydration – excessive water loss in the body due to dry air. Blood clots may form in the veins and pass into the brains or lungs. The exact reasons for this problem are not known, but the risk factors are abundant. One of them is a recent surgery. Others: long hours keeping the lower limbs unmoved, obesity, drinkable contraceptive devices or varicose veins. In spite of this, travelling by plane will be safe, if patients keep to the following recommendations:

if possible, postpone a long haul flight for several days after the surgery;
avoid carrying heavy luggage several weeks after the surgery;
drink as much water as possible during the flight (at least 1 l / h)
avoid products that can speed up dehydration (caffeine and alcohol);
exercise and do some walking (if possible) during the flight;
inform your physician or surgeon about the planned flight.

In some cases, additional means to reduce the risks carried by long flights are recommended.

For more information on cosmetic surgery visit: cosmetic surgery abroad

By Donatas Svetaka