There is no surgery without risk.
Plastic surgery, whether for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, carries a range of potential complications. The likelihood of these occuring varies depending on the procedure and each patient's unique factors. Understanding these risks is crucial for making informed decisions.
Dr Wang is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001762718 has extensive training and experience who will highlight particular risks to you of your procedure and discuss how best to minimise them.
General advice for reducing surgical complications
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Choose an accredited surgeon and have your procedure in an accredited facility
Stop Smoking / Vaping
Discuss your full medical history including medication history
Cease blood thinning medications if instructed to do so
Cease all supplements (fish oil, gingko, garlic, turmeric - all carry a risk of bleeding)
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Adhere to Post-Operative Instructions: Follow all post-operative care instructions provided by Dr Wang, including wound care, medication schedules, and activity restrictions.
Manage Pain, Swelling, Antibiotics: Take prescribed medications as directed. Applying cold packs as advised can also help with swelling. Do not apply ice directly to your skin as this may lead to tissue damage.
Elevate the site of surgery: Sleeping with an extra pillow under your head or elevating your leg in bed when sleeping reduces swelling and speeds up wound healing.
Monitor for Complications: Be vigilant for signs of complications such as increased pain, redness, swelling, fever, or unusual discharge. Contact the rooms on 1300286095 if you notice any of these symptoms or if urgent, please attend the emergency department at Sydney Adventist Hospital or Hornsby Hospital.
Follow-Up Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with Dr Wang to monitor your healing progress and address any issues that arise.
Avoid Smoking: Refrain from smoking and vaping, as these can impede the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Gradual Return to Activity: Avoid raising your heart rate or aerobic exercise for the first week. Gentle walking for short distances is encouraged. No resistance exercise/gym/cycling until you receive clearance.
Healthy Diet and Hydration: Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support healing.
Staying hydrated is also important for recovery.
Wound Care: Keep surgical wounds clean and dry. Follow Dr Wang's instructions on how to care for
incisions to prevent infection and promote healing.
Risks of Cosmetic or Recontructive Surgery for the Face
Infection: Surgical sites on the face are susceptible to infection, which can lead to complications such as delayed healing, scarring, or the need for further surgery.
Scarring: Although surgeons strive for minimal scarring, all facial procedures can leave scars. Some individuals may experience hypertrophic or keloid scarring, which can be more pronounced.
Nerve Damage: Facial surgeries can potentially superficial nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or changes in facial expression. In most cases, nerve damage is temporary and in very rare instances, it could be permanent.
Asymmetry: No face is exactly symmetrical. Minor post-surgical asymmetry can occur, where one side of the face may appear different from the other. This usually improves during the recovery. Major asymmetry is fortunately quite rare.
Bleeding and Hematoma: Excessive bleeding or the formation of a hematoma (a collection of blood outside of blood vessels) can occur, which may require additional procedures to manage.
Dissatisfaction with Results: Cosmetic surgery of the face cannot guarantee a certain look and your results will change as you age. Dr Wang will guide you as to what is achievable Despite the best efforts of the surgeon, results may not meet the patient's expectations, potentially leading to the need for revision surgeries.
Risks of Breast Surgery
Asymmetry: Differences in breast size or shape may result, either due to natural healing processes or variations in implant placement.
Nipple Sensation Changes: Altered or reduced sensation in the nipples or surrounding area can occur, either temporarily or permanently.
Scarring: Incisions will leave scars, which can vary in appearance and may be more pronounced in some individuals.
Breastfeeding Difficulties: Augmentation might affect the ability to breastfeed, although many women can still successfully breastfeed after the procedure.
Infection: Post-surgical infections can occur at the incision site or within the breast tissue. Infections may require antibiotics or additional surgery.
Implant specific
Capsular Contracture: This occurs when scar tissue forms around the breast implant, causing it to become hard, misshapen, or painful. In severe cases, additional surgery may be needed to correct it.
Implant Rupture or Leakage: Implants can rupture or leak, leading to changes in breast shape, discomfort, or the need for implant replacement. Saline implants generally deflate more noticeably, while silicone implants may cause silent leaks that are harder to detect.
BIA-ALCL - Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare immune cell cancer of textured breast implants usually showing up as a seroma. Dr Wang's practice does not use breast implants which have been associated with this condition however this could still occur especially if you have previously been exposed to textured breast implants.
Breast Implant Illness - This is a rare condition with a host of nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, joint pain and sleep disturbance. We do not fully understand the pathophysiology of this condition and which patients would be at risk. The only known treatment is breast implant removal.
Risks of Cosmetic Surgery for the Body
Wound Healing Issues: The body’s larger surface area can lead to complications with wound healing, including dehiscence (wound opening) or infection.
Fat Necrosis: In procedures involving fat transfer, such as liposuction or fat grafting, fat cells can die, potentially leading to lumps or uneven contours.
Seroma: Fluid accumulation beneath the skin, known as a seroma, can occur and may require drainage.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Extended periods of immobility post-surgery increase the risk of blood clots forming in the veins, which can travel to the lungs and become life-threatening.
Skin Necrosis: In some cases, the skin may not receive adequate blood flow, leading to tissue death and potential need for further surgical intervention.
Risks of Surgery for Limbs and Hands
Compartment Syndrome: This is a severe condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment can lead to muscle and nerve damage. It requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term damage.
Nerve and vessel injury: Surgeries involving the limbs can potentially damage surrounding nerve and vessels
Chronic Pain: Post-surgical pain can be prolonged or chronic, impacting quality of life and daily activities.
Reduced Sensation or Mobility: Nerve damage or scar tissue formation can lead to reduced sensation or limited mobility in the hands and limbs.
Infection and Poor Wound Healing: The risk of infection and complications related to wound healing is present, particularly in areas with limited blood supply.
Risks of Skin Lesion / Skin Cancer Surgery
Involved margins: As part of skin cancer excision, Dr Wang will remove a certain amount of surrounding tissue as the 'excision margin'. This is per Australian guidelines and varies by the type of lesion and location. If the histopathologist finds there are tumour cells close to the edge of excision, Dr Wang may recommend re-excision to obtain further margins and further reduce chance of recurrence.
No residual cancer seen: Occasionally after excising a biopsy proven skin cancer, the formal histology shows no residual cancer. This may mean that the biopsy has removed the majority of the lesion with formal excision further reducing the chance of recurrence.
Numbness and Scarring: Depending on the location and size of the cancer, surgery may result in noticeable changes in appearance or significant scarring which fade with time.
Pain, Bleeding, Infection, Healing Issues: Surgical sites can sometimes heal poorly, leading to complications such as delayed healing or wound breakdown.
Blood thinning medication. Cessation of blood thinning medication for a short time around time of surgery may increase your chance of having a stroke or clot elsewhere. Continuation of this medication may increase your risk of bleeding around the time of surgery potentially needing further operations and re-admission.
Functional Impairment: Depending on the cancer's location, surgery might impact the function of nearby structures, such as the eyes, mouth, or ears.
Allergic Reactions to Post-Surgical Medications: Patients may experience adverse reactions to medications used for pain management or infection prevention.
General Risks Across All Procedures
Complications with Anesthesia: General or local anesthesia carries risks, including allergic reactions, respiratory issues, adverse effects on heart function or cognition. Dr Wang's anaesthetists will highlight to you if there are particular risks that pertain to you
Psychological Impact: The emotional and psychological impact of cosmetic surgery can be significant, especially during the recovery period with potential outcomes including anxiety or feeling low in mood.
Dr Wang will meet all patients at least twice before any cosmetic procedure to give the patient realistic expectations of the procedure, recovery and achievable results.
Financial Costs: Cosmetic procedures often involve cost and time off work. Dr Wang's team will provide a clear, upfront, informed financial consent of the costs of the surgery, assistant and of the anaesthetist.
Long-Term Maintenance: Some procedures may require ongoing maintenance or additional treatments to sustain results.
Social and Lifestyle Impacts: The recovery period can be disruptive to daily life and social activities, impacting personal and professional life.
In summary, while cosmetic surgery can offer significant aesthetic and functional benefits, it is essential to weigh these against the potential risks and complications. Consulting with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, discussing expectations thoroughly, and considering all potential outcomes can help mitigate some of these risks and contribute to a more satisfactory surgical experience.
