Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures

Fighting the effects of aging-on the outside. Your guide to the risks of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures

Trying to fight the effects of aging? Below is a basic guide to the risks involved in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For more information on each procedure, click on the highlighted links of the procedure.
Cosmetic Procedures: Surgical

Breast Augmentation - Breasts are enlarged by placing an implant behind each breast.

Risks:
implants can rupture, leak, and deflate infection 
hardening of scar tissue around implant, causing breast firmness, pain, distorted shape, or implant movement
bleeding
pain
nipples may get more or less sensitive
numbness near incision blood collection around implant/incision
calcium deposits around implant
harder to find breast lumps

Breast Lift - Extra skin is removed from the breast to raise and reshape breast.

Risks:
scarring
skin loss
infection loss of feeling in nipples or breast
nipples put in the wrong place
breasts not symmetrical

Breast Reduction - Fat, tissue, and skin is removed from breast.

Risks:
if nipples and areola are detached, may lose sensation and decreased ability to breastfeed bleeding 
infection
scarring
harder to find breast lumps
poor shape, size, or position of nipples or breasts

Eyelid Surgery: Extra fat, skin, and muscle in the upper and/or lower eyelid is removed to correct "droopy" eyelids.

Risks:
blurred or double vision
infection
bleeding under the skin
swelling
dry eyes
whiteheads
can't close eye completely
pulling of lower lids
blindness

Facelift - Extra fat is removed, muscles are tightened, and skin is rewrapped around the face and neck to improve sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin.

Risks:
infection
bleeding under skin
scarring
irregular earlobes
nerve damage causing numbness or inability to move your face
hair loss
skin damage

Facial Implant - infection feeling of tightness or scarring around implant shifting of implant

Risks:
infection
feeling of tightness or scarring around implant
shifting of implant

Forehead Lift: Extra skin and muscles that cause wrinkles are removed, eyebrows are lifted, and forehead skin is tightened.

Risks:
infection
scarring
bleeding under skin
eye dryness or irritation
impaired eyelid function
loss of feeling in eyelid skin
injury to facial nerve causing loss of motion or muscle weakness

Lip Augmentation: Material is injected or implanted into the lips to create fuller lips and reduce wrinkles around the mouth.

Risks:
infection
bleeding
lip asymmetry
lumping
scarring

Liposuction: Excess fat from a targeted area is removed with a vacuum to shape the body.

Risks:
baggy skin
skin may change color and fall off
fluid retention
shock
infection
burning
fat clots in the lungs
pain
damage to organs if punctured
numbness at the surgery site
heart problems
kidney problems
disability
death

Nose Surgery: Nose is reshaped by resculpting the bone and cartilage in the nose.

Risks:
infection
bursting blood vessels
red spots
bleeding under the skin
scarring

Tummy Tuck: Extra fat and skin in the abdomen is removed, and muscles are tightened to flatten tummy.

Risks:
blood clots
infection
bleeding
scarring
fluid accumulation under the skin
Cosmetic Procedures: Non-Surgical

Botox Injection: Botox is injected into a facial muscle to paralyze it, so lines don't form when a person frowns or squints.

Risks:
face pain
muscle weakness
flu-like symptoms
headaches
loss of facial expression
droopy eyelids
asymmetric smile
drooling

Collagen/fat Injection
: Collagen from a cow or fat from your thigh or abdomen is injected into facial wrinkles, pits, or scars 

Risks:
trigger an autoimmune disease
contour problems
hives
rash
swelling
flu-like symptoms

Dermabrasion : A small, spinning wheel or brush with a roughened surface removes the upper layers of facial skin. A new layer of skin appears during healing, giving the face a smoother appearance. Used to treat facial scars, heavy wrinkles, and problems like rosacea.

Risks:
abnormal color changes
whiteheads
infection
allergic reaction
fever blisters
cold sores
thickened skin

Hyaluronic acid injection : This gel is injected into your face to smooth lines, wrinkles, and scars on the skin.

Risks:
swelling
infection
redness
tenderness
acne
lumps
tissue hardening
risks unknown if used in combination with collagen

Laser hair removal : Laser light is passed over the skin to remove hair.

Risks:
hair regrowth
scarring
change in skin color

Laser skin resurfacing: Laser light is used to remove wrinkles, lines, age spots, scars, moles, tattoos, and warts from the surface of the skin.

Risks:
burns
scarring
change in skin color
infection
herpes flare-up (fever, facial pain, and flu-like symptoms)

Sclerotherapy : A solution is injected into spider and varicose leg veins (small purple and red blood vessels) to remove the veins.

Risks:
blood clots
color changes in the skin
vein removal may not be permanent
scarring

Chemical Peel: A solution is put onto the face (or parts of the face) that causes the skin to blister and peel off. It is replaced with new skin.

Risks:
whiteheads
Infection
raised scarring
allergic reaction
cold sores
color changes or blotchiness
heart problems

Tooth Whiteners  (peroxide agents): Depending on the product, either you or the dentist applies peroxide using strips; a mouth guard with gel; or a tray inside your mouth around your teeth

Risks:
If not customized for you by a dentist or dental hygienist, there may be unknown ingredients and unknown results