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 surgery. Although complications and bad results are uncommon from this type of operation, they do sometimes occur. Your surgeon cannot guarantee a favorable result from any operation you are considering, but every effort will be made to provide you with the best result possible.

Some of the possible complications from this operation include: asymmetry, ectropions (pulling down of the lower lid lash line), infection, erosion of the threads through the skin, bleeding, unequal discoloration and swelling of the face, abnormal contour, nerve damage causing temporary or permanent loss of feeling in the face and weakness of portions or all of the face, personality changes and mental difficulties following the operation which may occur even when the operation has been a success, potentially fatal blood clots in the leg veins as a result of decreased physical activity, and allergic or other adverse reactions to one or more of the medications used during or after the operation.

Some of the complications associated with this operation can cause the need for further or touch-up surgery, which will result in additional fees to the patient. Some of the complications can cause prolonged healing, unsightly and painful scars, deformity and inconvenience. Some unsightly scars or asymmetry caused by nerve damage cannot be improved by further surgery.

Complications, particularly healing problems, without question are seen much more frequently in smokers, and you are urged not to smoke for at least a month prior to and after your surgery to minimize the likelihood of such complications.   (And if you can stop for that long, why not do your body a favor and quit this nasty habit permanently!)

There are also other very rare potential complications from this operation in addition to the ones that have been mentioned, but it is not possible to advise you of every conceivable complication.

Complications after any type of cosmetic surgery are relatively rare and most patients end up with a very satisfactory result. The purpose of this information is not to frighten you, but to insure that your decision to have this operation is not made in ignorance of the potential risks of cosmetic operations on the face.