Any kind of surgery is inherently frightening. The notion of volunteering to allow someone else to cut into your body is enough to spark your survival instincts, no matter how minor the procedure may seem.
Many plastic surgery patients express anxiety and trepidation about undergoing surgery, wondering, “Is plastic surgery safe?” This fear is understandable, but it is ultimately unfounded. Plastic surgery has never been safer, and any plastic surgery patient who chooses an experienced, trusted surgeon has nothing to worry about. With all the advances in medicine and technology emphasizing patient safety in plastic surgery, here are six reasons why you don’t need to be fearful of plastic surgery.
1. You Can Find Endless Information About Your Prospective Surgeon Online
In the past, if there was a terrible plastic surgeon, it was possible for them to skate by under the radar for years without anyone raising alarms. The surgeon may have had a bad reputation, and possibly even been hit with a couple of lawsuits by dissatisfied former patients, but it was difficult to find a platform to learn all about a surgeon’s history. This lack of information made it very tough to choose a surgeon.
Now, the Internet is a treasure chest of information about every surgeon in America. All you need to do is type the surgeon’s name into a search engine, and suddenly you have a detailed report on everything you need to know to make sure you are in safe hands. You can read patient testimonials and reviews, look at before and after photos, check that the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and much more!
In the past, the most hazardous thing a patient could do is trust an unqualified surgeon. Now, patients have the resources to make sure they only choose to move forward with a surgeon who makes them feel safe and secure.
2. Surgical Techniques Have Evolved and Adapted
Plastic surgery is a rapidly evolving field, with talented plastic surgeons constantly coming up with innovative new techniques to minimize scarring and maximize results. These techniques aim to make fewer incisions in order to maximize the safety of the patient while striving to still give incredible results.
Surgeons are constantly publishing new articles and studies where they detail an ingenious new surgical approach that is ready to be implemented on a larger level, and these innovations help keep patients as safe as possible.
3. New Technology Helps Ensure Patient Safety in Plastic Surgery
New technology is helping to make plastic surgery safer than ever. Much of the new technology that has debuted in the last few years strives to reduce the possibility of human error, doing everything possible to make sure that patients are never forced to ask, “Is plastic surgery safe?” Technology is constantly being pushed forward, and each year patients can feel secure in knowing that a high-quality plastic surgeon will be using cutting-edge technology to provide the best experience possible.
4. Plastic Surgery Should Only Take Place at a Certified Surgical Facility
Plastic surgery should only take place at an accredited and certified surgical facility. The facility should be accredited by either the AAAASF or AAAHC, two organizations backed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. These organizations do everything possible to verify that patients have a safe, clean, and updated facility to undergo surgery.
In order to get accredited, the personnel, equipment, and medication are all thoroughly inspected, with the inspectors looking for any misstep by the surgical facility staff that may put a potential patient at risk. This kind of attention to detail helps protect patients and keep them safe.
5. Patients Undergo a Physical Exam Prior to Surgery
For some procedures, there are preexisting conditions and ailments that can put patients at risk of developing future complications. That is why all plastic surgeons conduct a comprehensive physical exam. The idea is to establish that the patient is completely healthy and is an ideal candidate to undergo surgery. If anything worrisome is detected during the physical exam, the plastic surgeon will suggest an alternate surgery or a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that can achieve similar results.
Along with a physical exam, a plastic surgeon will also look through a potential patient’s medical history to identify potential red flags. Even if a patient is currently in pristine health, they could be compromised by something that has occurred to them in their past.
6. Specialized Anesthesiologists Devoted to Your Safety
In the past, a plastic surgeon’s office often had the nurses or doctors on staff deliver anesthesia to patients. These nurses and doctors were trained in delivering anesthesia, but they were not specialists. Nowadays, most plastic surgeons opt to only offer patients anesthesia delivered by an anesthesiologist (M.D.).
An anesthesiologist is an expert at administering anesthesia, doing everything necessary to make sure the patient is as calm, comfortable, and safe as possible. And because this is their specialty, patients can trust that they’re in good hands.
Is Plastic Surgery Safe? It is Safer Than Ever with Dr. Lapuerta!
If you are worried about undergoing plastic surgery, the best way to put your mind at ease is to choose a trusted, respected plastic surgeon who will do everything possible to keep you safe. Dr. Leo Lapuerta has built a reputation in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, as a doctor who puts his patients first, partnering with patients to help them safely reach their goals. If you are interested in learning more about the measures Dr. Lapuerta takes in order to keep his patients safe during plastic surgery or would like to schedule a surgical consultation, contact us today.