Possible Complications

Every activity in life, whether driving automobiles or having surgery, is associated with risk. The following inherent risks must be understood and assumed by the patient if we are to proceed with this operation. Although most patients have a very satisfactory result, complications may occur following any surgical procedure. Complications requiring reoperation are probably higher following body contouring implant surgery than any other type of aesthetic operation. Problems which can arise include those already mentioned associated with the implants (especially asymmetries) and the following: infection, excessive bleeding into the pocket, chronic pain, increased asymmetry, unsightly scars at the site of the incision or untoward reactions to administered medications or the anesthetic.

A moderate amount of discomfort is normal with every procedure, but body contouring implant patients, particularly with implants placed beneath the muscles, experience significant discomfort, perhaps analogous to that felt after open abdominal surgery. You will be given ample pain medication to help control the discomfort.  In addition, at the time of your procedure, your surgeon can insert a pain relief pump, a tiny catheter through which local anesthetic can be infused during the first few days after surgery.    Patients with facial implants always experience significant swelling and bruising, but usually do not complain of much discomfort.    However, most facial implant patients will require a week or two for the swelling and bruises to fade to a point they will be comfortable in public.

Should unusual bleeding occur after the procedure, your implanted site will immediately become noticeably asymmetrical (the one with the bleeding will be much larger), painful and swollen. This may necessitate a return to the operating room to stop the bleeding and to remove the blood clot, and result in additional fees to the patient.

Infection, a rare complication, usually cannot be cleared unless the implant is temporarily removed to allow complete obliteration of the infection before the implant can be replaced. This can take up to six months before it is safe to reinsert the implant.

Other problems, which occur but are usually of transient nature, include allergic reactions to medications, postoperative nausea or vomiting, hypersensitivity of the chest wall or lips, tightness in the chest wall and shooting or burning pains at the sides of the breasts, arms or legs. Frequently the surgical sites and surrounding areas may become numb temporarily, but occasionally this may remain as a permanent condition.

There are also other very rare potential complications from such operations in addition to the ones that have been mentioned, but it is not possible to advise you of every conceivable complication.
The foregoing was not intended to frighten or upset you, but to insure that your decision to have this operation is made with your awareness of the possible risks.