Thanks to television and movies, people are bewitched into believing that cosmetic surgery is a panacea as far as aesthetics are concerned. Women often fantasize about enhancing their appearance by having a breast lift or breast augmentation surgery. However, despite the glorification of cosmetic surgery, surgery of any kind has associated risks and complications that cannot be overlooked. Even though the results may seem alluring, patients must consider the possible risks. A tragic incident, which highlights this paradoxical situation, was the death of Olivia Goldsmith, an American novelist who died of anesthetic complications during plastic surgery.

Though cases like Olivias sad demise are extremely rare, the point is that the patient must understand that any surgery involves risk. The duty on the patients part is to ensure that he/she has complete knowledge of all possible risks and, thus, take necessary steps to circumvent such hazards. In general, a comprehensive pre-operative examination to determine your candidature, an expertly performed surgery, and proper post-operative care is enough to avert most common complications.

Some of the serious complications of plastic surgery are bad reaction to anesthesia, excessive blood loss, and blood clots that might block passage of blood through a blood vessel potentially leading to a stroke. These complications are associated with major procedures like liposuction and abdominoplasty. Another possible complication of liposuction is fat embolism, where loosened fat may lodge into the lungs, potentially causing death. However, all such complications are highly unlikely.

Some people are at a higher risk of experiencing plastic surgery complications. For instance, smoking, having certain medications such as blood thinners, or having an ancestral trend of blood clots, brings you at a greater risk of facing complications. In general, plastic surgery is a safe and efficacious procedure with an excellent success rate. But since its a surgery, the patient must completely confirm his/her candidature by having an elaborate discussion with the surgeon, revealing facts about drug use, allergies, and the general living style.