Just like any surgical procedure, plastic surgery carries risks and potential complications. Dr. Guy Watts is committed to helping his patients have an optimal plastic surgery experience. The risks and complications of the procedure you are interested in will be discussed in detail during your consultation.
While many people undergo plastic surgery without experiencing any significant issues, it’s crucial to understand and consider these potential risks before making a decision. Here are some complications that could occur after your plastic surgery intervention:
A common complication after any surgery is infection. Symptoms of an infection can vary depending on the severity, but commonly include redness, swelling, increased pain and pus or discharge from the surgical wound. Fever or chills may also indicate a systemic infection.
Prompt treatment of surgical infections is crucial to prevent complications and typically involves the use of antibiotics. In severe cases, additional surgery may be necessary to clean the wound. To reduce the risk of infection, strict sterile protocols are followed in the operating room and patients may be prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. After surgery, patients are advised to keep the wound clean and dry and to report any signs of infection to their surgeon immediately.
While plastic surgery often aims to increase aesthetics, it’s a surgical procedure that involves incisions, which will lead to some form of scarring. Skilled surgeons like Dr. Watts can reduce and strategically place the incisions, but some degree of scarring is unavoidable.
A haematoma is a pocket of blood that resembles a large, painful bruise. Most haematomas will resolve without additional treatment. However, in some cases haematomas may require intervention for proper drainage.
A seroma is a condition that can occur after a surgical procedure, where a pocket of clear serous fluid develops under the surface of the skin. This fluid (a byproduct of the body’s inflammatory response to surgery) accumulates in areas where tissue has been removed.
While seromas can occur after any surgery, they are particularly common following procedures that involve significant tissue disruption, such as body contouring surgeries, breast augmentation, or mastectomies. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, or a fluid-filled protrusion in the surgical area. While small seromas may be reabsorbed by the body and resolve on their own, larger ones may require medical intervention such as needle aspiration or the use of drains. To reduce the risk of seroma, surgeons may place temporary drains.
Anaesthesia is critical for patient safety, comfort and pain control during surgeries, but it can also lead to complications. These can range from small reactions like nausea and vomiting to more serious issues like heart problems or even stroke.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that can occur following surgical procedures, including plastic surgery. DVT refers to the formation of a blood clot, or thrombus, in the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs.
This condition can result in significant discomfort and swelling in the affected area. However, the primary concern with DVT is the risk of a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening event that occurs if the blood clot dislodges, travels through the bloodstream, and blocks a vessel in the lungs.
Symptoms of DVT can include swelling, pain, and warmth over the vein in the affected leg, but sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. To reduce the risk of DVT, surgeons employ various strategies such as using compression devices on the legs during surgery, encouraging early mobilisation after surgery and in some cases prescribing blood-thinning medications.
Pain after plastic surgery is a part of the recovery process. The intensity and duration of this pain can vary widely based on the specific procedure performed, the patient’s pain tolerance and the effectiveness of pain management strategies. Immediately following surgery, patients may experience acute pain due to tissue trauma and inflammation, but this is managed with medications. As the healing process progresses, the pain should gradually diminish. However, persistent or severe pain may indicate a complication, such as an infection or a haematoma and should be reported to the surgeon immediately.
Good communication with your surgical team can help manage post-operative pain effectively so it does not hinder the recovery process.
While these risks and potential complications might sound alarming, it’s important to remember that they are relatively rare and there are several ways to reduce the likelihood of them occurring:
Facial plastic surgery procedures, such as Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), Facelifts, or Chin Augmentation, can alter facial features and address signs of ageing. However, they come with their own set of potential complications, including:
Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure
Yes, a valid GP referral is required for all patients seeking surgery with Dr Watts. We ask all patients, medical and cosmetic, to obtain a GP referral prior to their consultation that includes a detailed medical history, any medications they may be on, and their current BMI. Patients will not be able to attend a consultation without a referral and we ask that you send your referral to our reception team prior to your consultation. Please note that your Medicare Rebates for medical consults will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral.
Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation, this will allow for any paperwork or information we may need to collect from you prior to your consultation with Dr Guy Watts.
We encourage you to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options surrounding the plastic surgery procedures you are interested in.
Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical examination by Dr Guy Watts. A chaperone will be present for the examination and we suggest you wear comfortable clothing to make this easier for you at the time of consultation.
Please bring along notes and any questions you have to address during the consultation, take notes at the time of consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided by Dr Guy Watts on the surgical plastic surgery procedures.
If you would like more information about pricing, medical payment plans or paying for your surgery we are happy to help
Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us
You can book your initial consultation via phone or email and by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance at the time of booking your appointment
To find out more information about surgery you can reach the friendly front desk team by phone to discuss your options for your chosen plastic surgery procedure.
Contact us or call 08 9286 1600 to arrange your plastic surgeon consultation in Perth.
Please email us for more information: admin@guywattsplasticsurgeon.com.au
Dr. Guy Watts is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (AHPRA MED0001539378) with an extensive career that spans across renowned plastic surgery clinics worldwide. His experience has been honed through invaluable experiences at esteemed establishments such as the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the renowned Pitanguy Clinic in Brazil.
Having collaborated with the foremost cosmetic plastic surgeons on a global scale, Dr. Watts has chosen to return to Perth after a 17-year journey of intensive training and invaluable professional experience to bring the latest practices and technology in cosmetic plastic surgery to his patients.
Dr. Watts is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS).