Risk Factors for Cosmetic Surgery

When seeking cosmetic surgery at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, it is imperative to be aware of the risk factors that you as a patient may present with. Some of these risk factors are obesity, anemia, diabetes, being a smoker, and others. The September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has published the data researchers had analyzed from over 10,000 patients who had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery in order to ascertain what factors statistically caused complications that required re-admittance to the hospital.

The study reported that patients with the most complications required re-admittance most frequently. This makes sense. Interestingly, patients who had undergone cosmetic procedures had the lowest readmission rates (also those who underwent hand surgery). Not surprisingly, considering breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery with liposuction running a close second, most of the patients in that category had undergone some sort of breast surgery. We know that breast augmentation is one of the most common and successful cosmetic procedures, so this is no surprise.   Patients who had undergone more complicated reconstructive procedures required the highest incidence of readmission.

The largest group of types of complications were wound related complications. This makes sense too. If a surgical site is infected healing can be quite complicated and difficult. Infections can lead to scarring and necrosis of the skin involved as well as more serious consequences. As it turns out, although obesity and anemia, factors the study specifically studied, led to readmission 20% and 80% of the time respectively, the factors most likely to put someone back into the hospital with complications was candidate selection and postoperative care! Don’t forget, some patients are just not candidates for certain procedures. You are most likely not a good candidate for cosmetic surgery if:

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• A bleeding disorder or anemia

• Obesity

• Heart disease

• Mental health issues such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder or depression

What all this means is you must be a proper candidate for any surgical procedure, particularly a cosmetic procedure because you have choices with elective surgery. Pre-surgical screening, following the doctor’s orders pre-surgically (such as not smoking, not taking certain medications or supplements), and following post-op instructions carefully is critical! At Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center we are very careful to screen patients to keep you safe!

Dr. Branman

Please call Melinda to set up your consultation 501 227-0707

Thanks to the University of Michigan MSIS for the photo of a patient getting a physical exam.