How to Reduce Complications After Plastic Surgery
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Most after cosmetic surgery are not random events. They around recognisable risk factors, of which the can directly and of which are determined by the surgeon and . This guide sets out the that affect — what they are, what raises and lowers the risk of each, and the that reduce them.
The standard is not zero . Every has complications. The differentiator is rate, recognition, and . The same applies to patients: full of risk is not possible, but the risk profile of an cosmetic procedure is substantially modifiable by what happens around the .
The complications worth understanding
The main are:
Patient-side factors that materially reduce risk
The single to most patients. Nicotine blood vessels, tissue by 30 to 40%. The effects are higher rates of wound dehiscence, skin necrosis, infection, and impaired scar quality.
Centre for requires complete cessation of smoking, vaping, and nicotine products for at least six weeks before and six weeks after. This is not negotiable, and we will test where indicated. who to smoke during the cessation window are deferred until they have genuine abstinence. See and .
Elevated BMI is an independent risk factor for surgical infection, venous thromboembolism, wound healing complications, and anaesthetic . The largest published aesthetic (127,961 patients, Gupta et al., 2016, Aesthetic Journal) found that (BMI 25-29.9) and (BMI ≥ 30) are both independent risk factors after controlling for other variables. For most body the ceiling is BMI 30, with limited flexibility for selected cases. See .
common and supplements bleeding risk and should be paused on advice before surgery: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil, E, ginkgo, ginseng, garlic supplements, St John’s wort. Prescription anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel) structured bridging managed by the prescribing doctor.
information about medications or at is not in your . The surgeon needs the full to plan safely, and most issues are manageable with planning when .
Diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and other chronic conditions should be well controlled before elective surgery. Tell your GP that surgery is upcoming, ask whether any medications need adjusting, and ensure blood tests are recent. in particular materially increases infection and wound risk.
Protein intake supports wound healing. Patients on highly diets, those who have lost weight in the preceding months, and those with eating disorders are at higher risk of poor . The target is around 1.2 to 1.6g of per kg of per day in the pre- and post-operative period. See .
increases risk, interferes with anaesthetic metabolism, tissues, and impairs . Abstinence for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery is the baseline; longer for major body . See .
A adult to accompany you home and stay for 24 hours is a clinical requirement. Time off work, childcare arrangements, and a properly prepared home environment all affect how well you . Patients who try to power through with inadequate support consistently have more complications and worse . See .
Surgeon and facility factors that reduce risk
on the GMC for Plastic Surgery, FRCS (Plast) or equivalent, with full of BAAPS or BAPRAS. High annual case volume for the specific procedure you are considering. These are not vanity — they correlate with rates. See .
Care Quality Commission registration, with a current rating of Good or Outstanding, that the facility has met defined and safety . facilities have full theatre for sterilisation, infection control, equipment, staffing, and emergency response. Treatment rooms above shops, hotel suites used by visiting surgeons, and premises do not.
For any procedure beyond minor work under local anaesthetic, a consultant anaesthetist should be throughout, with full including ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and capnography. The should not be managing anaesthesia themselves while operating. See .
time over 6 hours is with materially higher rates — VTE risk doubles, risk rises, and anaesthetic accumulate. The to should be made on risk grounds, not on or . Patients booked for multiple major procedures should ask why, and what the staged would look like.
Specific procedure-related risk reduction
After abdominoplasty: compression binder worn 24 hours a day for 6 weeks; gentle mobilisation from day 1 (with posture); drain management; adequate intake; smoking .
After breast augmentation: surgical bra continuously for 6 weeks; sleeping on the back at 30 degrees; no chest for 6 weeks; for early signs of capsular contracture (firmness, distortion) at . See .
After BBL: no sitting directly on the buttocks for 2 weeks; BBL that transfers weight to the thighs for weeks beyond that; no for at least 2 weeks; for fat embolism symptoms.
After facelift: sleeping at 30 degrees for 2 weeks; head bandage as instructed; no smoking under any circumstances; minimal facial expression for the first week; ice packs for the first 48 hours.
After rhinoplasty: head for sleep; no glasses on the nose for 6 weeks; nasal saline as instructed; no nose for 2 weeks; sun on the nasal skin.
After liposuction: compression garment for 6 weeks; gentle walking from day 2; manual drainage massage from week 2 if recommended; adequate hydration; weight .
Sun protection — the long-tail factor
UV on immature scars that does not fade. For 12 months after any with visible scars, direct sun on the scar should be avoided, with SPF 50 sunscreen used reliably. This applies through autumn and winter too — UV exposure is but not absent.
The picture also matters. UV exposure is the dominant modifiable contributor to facial skin ageing, and the durability of facial rejuvenation procedures is affected by sun habits in the years following surgery. See .
Attending follow-ups
Centre for Surgery’s standard follow-up schedule is day 1, week 1, week 3, week 6, three months, six months, and twelve months for most . These are not optional. Their is to catch complications early — when they are easy to manage — rather than late, when they are not.
Patients who skip follow-ups present months later with problems that could have been addressed at the routine appointment. Conversely, with concerns between should not wait — our 24/7 nurse-led aftercare line covers the first six weeks, and patient can a clinical review at any point thereafter.
Warning signs that warrant immediate contact
Calling early is always to waiting. The 24/7 aftercare line is for exactly this purpose.
Booking a consultation
To book a consultation, call or use the . We are based at . The specific risks of your procedure, and the strategies for them, will be discussed in detail at .
Centre for Surgery · CQC-regulated · GMC surgeons · · · ·
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Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, and cosmetic surgery through specialist . Our spans facial including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and results sit at the heart of everything we do.
Centre for is a CQC-regulated private on London’s iconic , plastic and cosmetic surgery led by .
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