Surgical blunders can lead to payouts
Cosmetic surgery procedures are becoming increasingly accessible for members of the public, it has been revealed.
Nip or tuck procedures are being made available at some UK clinics at a monthly cost of £79, while payments for breast enlargement surgeries can start from £99 per month.
However, with cosmetic surgery on the rise, an increase in the number of patients suffering from complications are an unwelcome inevitability to such procedures.
Nigel Mercer, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, has therefore called the cosmetic surgery industry an 'unregulated mess'.
Although the dangers of cosmetic surgery are not as great as they once were, there are still many risks linked to any kind of invasive surgical procedure. Below is a list of just a few documented complications encountered during plastic surgery.
Allergies to anaesthetic
The cause of anaphylactic reactions and the associated morbidity in the UK is still unclear but there are concerns that this could be on the rise.
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, (AAGBI) reported that between January 1995 and June 2001, there were 36 deaths as a result of anaphylactic reactions to anaesthetic in the UK, with an estimated 500 reactions each year.
Allergy to other drugs used during surgery, such as pain medication, is also a noteworthy risk.
Infection
The chances of contracting an infection following cosmetic surgery are low, typically less than 1 per cent for breast augmentation, however the risk can last up to 2 months following surgery. Infections after breast enlargement surgery often require the removal of the implant.
A report published in The Lancet Infections Diseases journal, suggests that infections are caused by contaminated implants, the patient's skin or poor sterilisation and cleanliness in surgical theatres.
Haemorrhage
A haemorrhage is excessive, often life-threatening blood loss from damaged blood vessels and tissue. A haemorrhage occurs when there is excessive trauma to the site of cosmetic surgery.
Although the risk is minimal, the danger increases if a blood clot (hematoma) has also formed during surgery, as the haemorrhage may cause the clot to travel to other areas of the body.
In 2008 the average rate for haematoma for British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) members was 1.2 per cent and there was a 2.06 per cent chance of needing re-operation.
Nerve damage
Damage to nerves in the body can occur simply from injecting anaesthetic or from the actual surgery itself. A patient may notice numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation, but usually any nerve damage is temporary and sensation will return to normal within 6 months to a year.
Sometimes it can take 2 to 3 years for complete regeneration, however if the nerve is cut completely, it may never return to normal and the patient may suffer permanent numbness or muscle paralysis.
Nerve damage may be one of the long-term effects of liposuction, due to stripping of the outer sheath of nerve cells containing a fatty layer called myelin.
Being affected by nerve damage can cause personal injury to the patient and also have ongoing consequences for the individual.
Scarring
Most cosmetic surgery will leave patients with some scarring and the rate of healing will depend on the individual and the type of surgery involved.
Capsular contracture is the most common complication associated with breast augmentation and can happen at any time.
Emotional Distress
Health risks associated with cosmetic surgery are not always physical; many patients who have had complications during or after an operation are often left with psychological damage.
Unsatisfactory aesthetic results (including contour irregularities, asymmetry and excessive or unfavourable scarring) can be disheartening or even devastating for patients.
Couples have been known to separate after a 'botched' surgery has left the patient with low self esteem thus having a negative impact on intimacy issues.
For patients who are struggling to come to terms with poor cosmetic surgery, Changing Faces is a leading UK charity, that can support and represent people who have disfigurements to the face, hand or body from any cause.
The group has knowledge in psychology, education, employment, health and social care, media and campaigning.
They estimate that every year over 530,000 people in the UK acquire a disfiguring condition from birth, an accident, cancer surgery, skin and eye conditions, facial paralysis and medical accidents such as mistakes in cosmetic procedures
These effects may be viewed as a 'price to pay' for the surgical procedure, but they can also be a sign of medical negligence, brought on by medical staff with limited experience or knowledge of the procedures.
People who have been affected by any of the points mentioned above could consider speaking to a no win no fee personal injury lawyer to find out how they can make a compensation claim.
Updated on 4/27/2010