Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is the surgical method of correcting or restoring body parts and their functions. The word plastic comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means 'to mold'. This surgery also involves molding or shaping the body features and parts either for enhancing the appearance of an individual or for restoring a deformed body part and its functions. Accordingly plastic surgery is categorized into two main fields, cosmetic surgery for enhancing looks and beauty, and reconstructive surgery, which is carried out for the purpose of restoration of damaged body parts.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is mainly performed in the case of severe burns, injuries, congenital defects and developmental abnormalities of organs, infections or diseases and for cancer or tumor removal. The history of plastic surgery, especially for reconstructive purposes, dates back to 2000 BC, India. Today, we have witnessed an increase in the popularity of plastic surgery, mainly for cosmetic purposes. No doubt cosmetic surgery can effectively reshape the body parts to give you a beautiful and young look, free of wrinkles and scars and thereby boost your morale. However, several bad or negative effects may also be associated with the process, which can range from financial to physical and psychological effects.
Ill Effects of Plastic Surgery
1. Negative Effects on Health
Usually, plastic surgery does not pose major health risks. The most common complaints reported so far are, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and prolonged pain, which are experienced by some people after the surgical procedure. Most of these problems however, go away over time. Inflammation around the area, where the procedure was carried out is another problem associated with plastic surgery.2. Psychological Impact
Patients opting for plastic surgery, especially cosmetic surgery, should be very well aware that the results they obtain might differ from what they were expecting before they went under the knife. Sometimes these procedures can leave behind scars that may not go away with time. This can have a lasting psychological effect on patients, plunging them into depression. People suffer from intense regret and anger toward themselves and the doctor for a procedure gone horribly wrong, not to mention embarrassment and criticism they might face from friends and family.It has been observed that many individuals undergoing plastic surgery tend to suffer from an obsession with their look. This can cause an addiction and may impel them to undergo plastic surgery several times. A common psychological disorder in this regard is known as 'body dysmorphic disorder', where people develop such a distorted and weird perception about their body that they can't be satisfied with any look.
3. Risks Associated with the Surgical Process
Plastic surgery involves several surgical risks like, infections and allergic reactions, which are commonly associated with any kind of surgery. In addition to these, drug reaction, excessive bleeding, implant rejection, pigmentation, blood clots, skin necrosis, and scarring and nerve damage on the particular area, are some other adverse effects of this surgery.The process may produce additional risks for smokers, as they are more likely to face the problem of delayed healing, increased risk of infection, bruising, and pulmonary problems. People having certain vascular conditions can also experience delay in the healing process. In rare cases, plastic surgery can lead to heavy blood loss and organ failure. Apart from these, there are certain risks associated with the use of anesthesia, such as the allergic reaction, respiratory failure, and in rare cases, shock and cardiac arrest.
Cost
Plastic surgery is a very expensive procedure, which involves skin grafting. It can put tremendous financial pressure on you and your family. While assessing the cost of this surgery, people tend to take into account only the cost of the surgery, and completely overlook the unexpected cost that can arise from postoperative complications and the hospital charges they have to shell out in case they have to stay back in the hospital for any postoperative procedure. People also forget to consider the cost of postoperative medications, which can't be avoided, as not taking them can result in further complications. In all, plastic surgery is a costly and complicated affair and considerable care and precautions need to be followed after the surgery.
But sometimes plastic surgery becomes inevitable, especially for reconstructing damaged parts of the body caused by burns, accidents or any inborn abnormality. Before opting for plastic surgery, patients must be well aware of every risk that is associated with this procedure. It is very essential to discuss every aspect of the method and the cost involved with your plastic surgeon. It is also advisable to research properly before selecting a qualified and certified surgeon. Look for his professional records, affiliations, medical accreditation, etc. to ensure you are in safe hands. Follow the instructions of your surgeon to avoid any surgical and post-surgical complication and be mentally strong and prepared to handle the repercussions, if any.