With the advancements in techniques and technology, experienced plastic surgeons offer body contouring in NYC on an outpatient basis. Safety is a major concern when it comes to plastic surgery. The findings of a new study could alleviate patient concerns about the safety of outpatient procedures. The study, which was published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), supports the safety of outpatient plastic surgery procedures when performed by qualified plastic surgeons at an accredited outpatient surgical center.
Conducted by Rod J. Rohrich, MD and colleagues from the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, the study analyzed over 20 years of data and more 26,000 cases. The focus was on the complications that occur within the first 48 hours after the surgery. The researchers analyzed the rates and types of complications, including factors associated with an increased risk of complications. The findings are as follows:
- More than 80% of complications requiring return to the operating room were hematoma or pooling of blood under the skin.
- Less common complications included infections (0.06%) and blood clots (0.05%)
Higher risks of complications were found mainly in patients who underwent combined procedures, especially abdominoplasty with liposuction. Other risk factors noted were:
- Higher body mass index (BMI 30 or higher)
- Larger volumes of liposuction (more than three liters)
- Longer surgical times (more than four hours)
The researchers recommend post-operative monitoring in a nursing facility such as surgical center or hospital for patients with such higher risks of complications.
In 2015, more than 90 percent of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on an outpatient basis, either a freestanding surgical center or office setting, according to the ASPS report on the study. The study provides data to support the safety of outpatient cosmetic surgery, when performed by well-experienced and skilled plastic surgeons in a surgical center with appropriate staffing and patient monitoring capability.
“We conclude that for a majority of patients, the overall risk is very low for performing plastic surgery in the outpatient setting. However, certain precautions should be considered to optimize safety of all patients and reduce adverse outcomes”, says Dr. Rohrich who is also Editor-in-Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Advancements in Plastic Surgery: Outpatient Procedures and Postoperative
Nowadays, many plastic surgery procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient does not have spend the night in the surgical facility or can go home a few hours after the treatment. This can be attributed to the development of advanced minimally-invasive and non-invasive modalities that involve lower postoperative patient morbidity compared with a conventional surgical approach for the same procedure. These technologies have considerably reduced risk of complications. However, the patient’s health would be monitored after the surgery, because despite the improvements in technologies and procedures, plastic surgery is not risk-free. If the patient remains stable after the procedure, he or she is allowed to go home.
To maximize the safety of your procedure, make sure that:
- Your surgeon is well-qualified and skilled and focused on patient safety.
- The facility should be AAAASF-accredited with state-of-the-art technologies and techniques.
- Find out about technology used to perform the procedure.
- Inform your surgeon of any drugs that you are taking and your full medical history.
- The surgical facility should have skilled, trained personnel to administer and monitor your anesthesia and your recovery immediately following the procedure.
According to the study, breast augmentation is the most common type of outpatient procedure followed by facial cosmetic surgery and liposuction. Minimally-invasive procedures that can be performed on an outpatient basis include Brazilian butt lift, breast reduction, and liposuction using BodyTite and VASER.