Any surgery can be fraught with complications. One of my clinical instructors used to say "There is no such thing as 'minor surgery', just minor surgeons!" I believe that although most surgery is safe and effective, the body is so complex and the nature of healing so affected by so many factors that sometimes problems occur. Complications are usually listed according to whether they can occur with any surgery (in general) or whether the complication is specific to a procedure.

Complications which may occur following any surgery include:

  • Complications of Anaesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Poor healing
  • Loss of skin
  • Bad scar
  • Infection

In addition to these general complications, each procedure has its own set of specific possible problems. For your procedure a list of these particular problems will be provided in writing at the end of the consultation. All of these complications are rare, but they are possible. Dr. Callegari is prepared to prevent them and treat them if they occur. You must be prepared to sustain them even if the risk very low.

Complications are rare and most of them can be treated successfully. Only very few can result in irreversible damage. However, though treated successfully, the complications may require additional surgery, healing time and expenses. You may require more time for the wounds to heal, more time before obtaining the improvement expected, and possibly longer disability and time off work.

The safest course of action for an operation that is not necessary for the purposes of restoring health is to avoid the surgery. It is easy for surgeons to gloss over their bad results or complications. Dr. Callegari does not do this and will not. Ever. Some events are beyond his control and some patients who undergo cosmetic surgery will have a bad result or a problem with healing. Although you should prepare yourself thoroughly for any eventuality, you must have a positive attitude toward achieving a good result.

Do not consider swelling and bruising as complications. They are part of the healing process. They can take from a few weeks to a few months to subside. If you use makeup it is usually possible to apply makeup again within ten days to two weeks following the surgery.

Above all, Dr. Callegari wants good results and happy patients.