Cosmetic surgery can be transformative, but it’s essential to understand that some procedures carry higher risks than others. Factors like the type of surgery, the patient’s health, and the surgeon’s experience all play a role. Here, we’ll break down the most dangerous cosmetic surgeries and offer tips on how to reduce risks, from pre-operative preparation to choosing a qualified surgeon.
Key Takeaways
- High-Risk Procedures: Brazilian Butt Lift, tummy tuck, body lifting, and liposuction are among the most dangerous cosmetic surgeries due to risks like fat embolism, blood clots, and infection.
- Anesthesia Risks: Long surgeries increase anesthesia risks, including adverse reactions and, in rare cases, anesthesia awareness.
- Patient Health Matters: Conditions like high BMI, smoking, and pre-existing health issues elevate complication risks and affect healing.
- Qualified Surgeons Essential: Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon significantly reduces risks by ensuring proper techniques and handling complications.
- Pre- and Post-Op Care: Following thorough pre-op evaluations, realistic expectations, and strict recovery guidelines are vital for a safer outcome.
Which cosmetic procedures carry the highest risk and why?
The highest-risk cosmetic procedures include the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), tummy tuck, body lifting and liposuction. The BBL poses a high risk due to the chance of fat embolism, which can be fatal. Tummy tucks and liposuction carry significant risks like blood clots, infection, and anesthesia complications, especially in lengthy surgeries. Factors such as patient health, surgeon expertise, and strict post-op care are crucial in managing these risks, ensuring safer outcomes for high-risk surgeries.
Most High-Risk Cosmetic Procedures
Certain cosmetic procedures are known for having elevated risks. Therefore, think twice before undergoing the knife, and do your research well! Also, note that each patient has unique characteristics and anatomy. The same invasive surgical procedure may impose different risks on different patients, even when performed by the same highly competent and trained surgeon. Although the risks cannot be entirely avoided, but can certainly be minimized.
Here’s an overview of the highest-risk surgeries, along with the complications that make them particularly challenging.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) has gained popularity, but it also carries some of the most significant risks among cosmetic procedures. The reality is the general procedure of a is one of the riskiest and deadliest surgeries in the world.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons defined BBL as one of the deadliest cosmetic surgeries, causing 1 death in an alarming number of 3,000 patients due to pulmonary fat embolism.
The BBL involves removing fat from one area of the body, then injecting it into the buttocks for a fuller appearance.
However, if the fat is injected incorrectly, it can enter large veins, potentially causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. According to recent studies, the BBL has a death rate as high as 1 in 3,000, the highest risk of any elective procedure.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, tightening muscles for a smoother contour. This procedure is extensive and has higher risks due to the amount of tissue involved and the extended recovery period.
Common tummy tuck complications include blood clots, seromas (fluid buildup), and delayed wound healing. Older patients or those with certain health conditions are particularly at risk.
Liposuction
Liposuction, a popular body contouring option, involves removing fat deposits from specific areas.
Although it’s considered less invasive than some surgeries, liposuction risks include fat embolism, organ puncture, and blood clots. Additionally, changes in fluid levels during the procedure can lead to dehydration or even hypovolemic shock if not properly managed.
Facial Reconstruction Surgeries
Procedures like jaw reshaping and facial implants fall under facial reconstruction and are particularly risky because they involve delicate structures, including nerves and blood vessels.
Facial reconstructive surgery includes many types, like skull base reconstruction, nose reconstruction, rhinoplasty, facial trauma reconstructive procedures, etc. However, one of the most dangerous surgeries is orthognathic surgery. It consists of critical work with blood vessels in reshaping and structuring the jaw.
Although dermal fillers or liquid silicone facial injections sound like relatively simple procedures compared to orthognathic surgery, even those fillers can pose their risks.
When misapplied, swelling and bad reactions from the immune system can occur. Therefore, any cosmetic surgery must be performed by board-certified professionals with proper training and qualifications.
Even minor procedures, like dermal fillers, carry risks if injected improperly, such as disfigurement or immune reactions.
Body lifts
Body lift (Post Bariatric Surgery) is an intensive but one of the riskiest cosmetic surgeries performed under anesthesia to improve the appearance of loose skin and skin in various body parts. It involves up to 5 procedures and can take for about 8 hours. It’s focused on removing the excess skin and soft tissue around some body parts, like the abdomen, buttocks, lower back, thighs, and breasts.
It may require lifting the entire abdominal skin, repositioning the belly button, and tightening the abdominal muscles, the belly, buttocks, thighs, or genitals to improve the body’s overall shape. A body lift may be preferred by people who have loose, inelastic skin over most of their bodies due to birth, aging, or excessive weight loss.
Before undergoing body lift surgery, do your research well, and find highly reputable, trained, experienced and board-certified surgery. Also, never shy away form asking your questions openly. Discuss the operation and post-operation as well as the recovery process, too.
Factors that Increase Risks in Cosmetic Surgery
Risks associated with cosmetic surgery complications can be influenced by several patient and procedural factors:
- Patient Health and Lifestyle: Health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high BMI can raise complication risks. Smoking, for example, significantly impedes healing and increases infection risk.
- Anesthesia Duration: Longer surgeries increase the likelihood of anesthesia complications, such as adverse reactions, blood pressure fluctuations, or in rare cases, anesthesia awareness (waking up during surgery). Patients with a history of reactions to anesthesia should discuss this thoroughly with their surgeon.
- Surgeon’s Experience: Complicated procedures require a high level of expertise. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon minimizes risks, as they are more equipped to handle unexpected issues and avoid common pitfalls.
These factors highlight the importance of a detailed pre-surgery evaluation, including assessing medical history, age, and overall physical condition to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for high-risk procedures.
Minimizing Risks and Ensuring Safe Results
To reduce risks associated with high-risk cosmetic procedures, patients should take specific precautions:
- Choose a Qualified Surgeon: Opt for a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure you’re considering. Research their credentials, patient reviews, and complication rates. A skilled surgeon will also provide a realistic overview of potential outcomes and risks.
- Prepare for Recovery: Proper cosmetic surgery recovery is crucial. Follow all post-op instructions, attend follow-up appointments, and arrange for support if you need help at home. Recovery conditions, like keeping incisions clean and avoiding strenuous activities, impact the success and safety of the outcome.
- Stay Informed: Understanding the specific risks of your chosen procedure allows you to make well-informed decisions. For example, a patient considering a Brazilian Butt Lift should be aware of the risk of fat embolism and discuss injection techniques with their surgeon.
- Health Optimization: Before surgery, work with your healthcare provider to address any health issues. Quitting smoking, stabilizing blood pressure, and achieving a healthy weight can reduce complication risks and support healing.
By carefully planning and choosing experienced providers, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with complex cosmetic surgeries.
Is a High-Risk Cosmetic Surgery Right for You?
Cosmetic surgery can deliver life-changing results, but it’s essential to approach it with a thorough understanding of the risks involved. If you’re considering a high-risk procedure, take the time to consult with qualified surgeons and prepare yourself both physically and mentally for the recovery process.
Ready to explore your options? Consult a board-certified cosmetic surgeon from our picks of the best plastic surgeons in Turkey to discuss your needs, assess your health, and make an informed decision for a safer and satisfying outcome.