New York Malpractice & Injury Lawyer Blog
Just three short years ago, people in America spent more than $7 billion on cosmetic, or plastic, surgery. Surgeries range from rhinoplasty to augmentation and are typically performed with no issue or incident. Unfortunately, any time you go under the knife, you are putting yourself at risk. Plastic surgery is not without complication in some cases. If you are lucky, your complications are easily treated. In the most extreme cases, these complications lead to death.
Here are the five most common complications arising from cosmetic surgery:
1. Hematoma
A hematoma is a large blood pocket under the skin that resembles a bruise. It is the most common complication following a facelift, and it is seen in in breast augmentation procedures as well. When a hematoma does not resolve, surgery may be required to drain the additional build up of blood.
2. Nerve Damage
Any type of surgical procedure can result in nerve damage, but it is particularly common after plastic surgery. Approximately 15 percent of women who undergo breast augmentation surgery experience permanent loss of sensation in the nipple.
3. Infection
Any tie the body is opened and exposed to bacteria, infection can result. Infections like cellulitis occur in about 2 to 4 percent of plastic surgery patients. Infections are normally easy to treat but some can be severe. In these cases, hospitalization and IV antibiotics may be necessary.
4. Deep Vein Thrombosis
This is a condition where blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs. When these clots break away and travel to the lungs, pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur. This type of complication is fairly rare, but especially traumatic. DVT and PE can be fatal.
5. Scarring
Many people undergo plastic surgery because they want to better their appearance, not make it worse. Sadly, some severe and dramatic scarring can occur post surgery. Hypertrophic scarring, or thick, red, raised scarring, occurs in about 2 to 5 percent of people who undergo breast augmentation surgery.
Cosmetic surgery may be seen as riskier simply because it is normally elective. Being the victim of medical negligence or error can be devastating, but especially so after you have voluntarily undergone a procedure.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a doctor’s error or negligence in New York, call our team of medical malpractice lawyers. We will review the details of your case and inform you of your options. Call now for assistance or browse our website for more information about our firm.