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Procedure Risks & Recovery

Cosmetic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries potential risks. These include:

  • infection
  • bleeding
  • scarring
  • anaesthesia complications
  • hematoma
  • seroma
  • nerve damage
  • blood clots
  • poor wound healing
  • unsatisfactory results
  • allergic reactions
  • and complications specific to the procedure.

It’s essential to discuss these risks with your doctor / surgeon to make an informed decision.

See below for more procedure specific recovery and risks.

Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty)

Recovery: This typically involves 1-2 weeks of downtime, with most patients returning to work within a week. Full recovery, including resumption of strenuous activities, can take 4-6 weeks. For more detail on recovery for Breast Augmentation, read our blog.

Risks: Breast augmentation, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

Common risks associated with breast augmentation include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetry, dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome, and the need for future revision surgeries. Complications specific to breast implants, such as rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant) are also possible. Recent news has highlighted a potential association between textured breast implants and Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

It is crucial to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Breast Lift + Augmentation (mastopexy)

Recovery is similar to breast augmentation but may take slightly longer. Initial recovery usually takes 1-2 weeks, with complete healing and return to all activities within 6-8 weeks.

Risks: Breast lift, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

Common risks associated with breast lift include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetry, dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome, and the need for future revision surgeries. Breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, but some individuals might experience difficulties in producing sufficient milk.

If you are having a lift with implants – complications specific to breast implants such as rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant) are also possible. Recent news has highlighted a potential association between textured breast implants and Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

It is crucial to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Breast Reduction + Augmentation (reduction mammoplasty)

Recovery: This procedure usually requires a recovery period of 2-3 weeks before returning to work, with full recovery taking up to 6-8 weeks. Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting for at least 4-6 weeks.

Risks: Breast reduction, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

Common risks associated with breast reduction include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetry, dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome, and the need for future revision surgeries. Breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, but some individuals might experience difficulties in producing sufficient milk.

If you are having a reduction with implants – complications specific to breast implants such as rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant) are also possible. Recent news has highlighted a potential association between textured breast implants and Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

It is crucial to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Breast Revision - Remove and Replace (revision mammoplasty)

Recovery can vary depending on the extent of the revision. Generally, patients can expect 1-2 weeks of downtime, with full recovery taking 4-6 weeks.

Risks: Breast revision, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

Common risks associated with breast revision include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetry, dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome, and the need for future revision surgeries. Complications specific to breast implants, such as rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant) are also possible. Recent news has highlighted a potential association between textured breast implants and Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

It is crucial to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Breast Explant (implant explantation)

Recovery: The removal of breast implants typically requires 1-2 weeks for initial recovery, with full recovery taking about 4-6 weeks. Patients should avoid strenuous activities during this period.

Risks: Breast explant (breast implant removal), like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

Common risks associated with breast explant include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetry. Additionally, breast tissue may be stretched or thinned after implant removal, impacting the natural appearance of the breasts which may result in the want for future revision surgeries.

It is important to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Breast Fat Transfer (autologous fat grafting)

Recovery: Recovery from a fat transfer can vary, but generally, patients need 1-2 weeks of downtime. Full recovery, including resolution of swelling and bruising, can take up to 4-6 weeks.

Risks: Breast fat transfer, like any surgical procedure, carries risks that individuals should be aware of.

These include infection, bleeding, scarring, asymmetry, changes in breast sensation, fat necrosis, calcification, cyst formation, oil cysts, and the potential need for additional revision surgeries. Incomplete fat graft survival and volume retention over time are possible. Rare complications like pulmonary embolism or fat embolism syndrome can occur.

If combined with breast implants, risks like rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture may also arise. Textured breast implants have been associated with Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

It is important to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Facetite (radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis)

Recovery: This minimally invasive procedure typically has a shorter recovery time. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days, with full recovery taking about 1-2 weeks.

Risks: FaceTite, like any procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

The most common risks associated with FaceTite include infection, bleeding, scarring, skin discoloration, burns, nerve damage, contour irregularities, asymmetry, prolonged swelling or bruising, and the need for revision procedures. Although rare, complications such as skin necrosis or fat necrosis can occur.

It is important to consult with a qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss the potential risks and complications, and carefully evaluate the benefits and risks before deciding to undergo FaceTite.

Liposuction (lipoplasty)

Recovery: Recovery time varies based on the area treated and the amount of fat removed. Initial recovery usually takes 1-2 weeks, with full recovery and final results visible within 3-6 months.

Risks: Liposuction, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

The main risks associated with liposuction include infection, bleeding, scarring, contour irregularities, asymmetry, changes in skin sensation, fluid accumulation, fat embolism (rare), anaesthesia complications, and the need for revision surgeries. Skin irregularities, such as dimpling or waviness, may occur, and there is a possibility of excessive fluid loss during the procedure.

It is important to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

Recovery: Patients need 2-4 weeks before returning to work. Full recovery, including the ability to engage in strenuous activities, can take 6-8 weeks or longer.

Risks: Tummy tuck, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks that individuals should be aware of before making a decision.

The main risks associated with tummy tuck include infection, bleeding, scarring, wound healing complications, changes in skin sensation, fluid accumulation, seroma formation, asymmetry, contour irregularities, blood clots, anaesthesia-related complications, and the need for revision surgeries.

There is also a risk of developing visible or raised scars, especially in individuals with a history of poor scar healing.

It is important to consult with an appropriately qualified doctor / surgeon, thoroughly discuss all the potential risks, and carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to make an informed decision.

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