Safety Before Beauty: Evaluating Health for Successful Plastic Surgery

Did you know body image dissatisfaction rates are as high as 71% among adolescents? Body image affects physical and psychological wellness, impacting or disrupting mood, social functioning, and overall self-perception.

If a physical attribute is causing emotional distress, plastic surgery may offer the opportunity to make aesthetic improvements and boost self-esteem. However, while the decision to undergo cosmetic procedures is deeply personal and subjective, it is crucial to recognize the importance of one’s well-being before considering external changes. Any surgical procedure carries certain risks, particularly for individuals with physical and mental health concerns.

Thorough medical evaluations and effective health management are essential steps in reducing risks and ensuring a safe surgical experience. Read on to understand the link between health conditions and plastic surgery risks, determining patient eligibility and facilitating essential precautions to prioritize safety.

Influence of Health Conditions on Plastic Surgery Safety

Before reading further, note that this article does not intend to dissuade anyone from pursuing plastic surgery. Rather, its goal is to emphasize the importance of discussing pre-existing health issues with a doctor before exploring surgical options.

1. Cardiovascular Conditions

When it comes to plastic surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, cardiovascular health determines the safety and success of the procedure. The cardiovascular system, which comprises the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Any pre-existing illness may thwart the body’s ability to withstand the stress of surgery, inhibiting proper healing.

The common cardiovascular conditions that may impact plastic surgery outcomes include but are not limited to:

• Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque buildup narrows or blocks the blood vessels supplying nutrients to the heart. Affecting 4,195 per 100,000 people in Arizona, this common condition can impair blood flow to the heart, leading to chest pain, heart attacks, and other serious cardiovascular complications.
• Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that disrupt normal pumping function. Conditions like atrial fibrillation, where the heart beats irregularly, can pose risks during surgery. In particular, they can affect blood circulation, increase the likelihood of internal blood clots, and cause complications while under anesthesia.
• Hypertension: Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common cardiovascular problem affecting nearly half of the American population aged 20 years and up, including 30.9% of adults in Arizona. For a complete guide to this topic, check out our previous blog post, Risky or Safe: Plastic Surgery for Hypertensive Patients.

If you have any of these cardiovascular conditions, consult your healthcare provider and plastic surgeon before considering surgery. Proper evaluation and health management are necessary to minimize risks and ensure a safe surgical experience.

2. Respiratory Conditions

The ability to breathe and maintain adequate oxygen levels are crucial factors to consider when contemplating plastic surgery. Among the respiratory conditions that may affect plastic surgery outcomes include:

• Asthma: Almost 10% of residents in Arizona have asthma, a chronic (long-lasting) condition causing inflammation and narrowing of the respiratory airways. Signs and symptoms include recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: COPD is a progressive lung disease wherein a patient experiences airflow limitation and breathing difficulties. Common forms of COPD include bronchitis and emphysema.
• Sleep Apnea: Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, out of breath, and gasping for air? If it happens often, you may have sleep apnea, which manifests through pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep.

The above respiratory conditions reduce lung function, making it challenging to tolerate general anesthesia and the stress response to surgery. If you have asthma, COPD, or sleep apnea, you must undergo a thorough evaluation by both a primary care physician and a plastic surgeon before considering surgery. Pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, and consultations with a pulmonologist may be necessary to assess overall lung function.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic ailment where there is too much glucose in the blood. When considering tummy tuck surgery and breast augmentation in Scottsdale, AZ, individuals with diabetes should comprehend the risks associated with their condition. For instance, according to a 2019 study, diabetes can impact surgical outcomes and pose health risks. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) is a risk factor for poor wound healing, postoperative sepsis, cerebral ischemia, and endothelial dysfunction. Stress from surgical trauma, operative bleeding, and intraoperative anesthesia can also increase blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Despite the potential risks, surgical techniques have improved drastically in recent years, making surgery safer than ever before. If you have diabetes or high blood sugar levels, work with your primary care physician and a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine your candidacy and guarantee your safety.

4. Bleeding Disorders

For incisions and wounds to heal, platelets must clump together at the site of the affected blood vessels, forming a plug (clot) that stops blood from gushing out of the body. The following bleeding disorders may interfere with this process, potentially causing excessive blood loss and complications to arise:

• Hemophilia
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Thrombocytopenia

If you have a bleeding disorder (or if you smoke), inform your plastic surgeon and collaborate with a hematologist to determine your eligibility for plastic surgery. Preoperative management may involve strategies to optimize clotting factors, platelet transfusions, or other treatments to minimize bleeding. In addition, ensure to choose a surgeon whose practice will take precautions during your procedure, such as using specialized techniques and medications to promote clotting and manage bleeding.

5. Mental Health Conditions

The best plastic surgeons in Phoenix, AZ consider the psychological well-being of patients, as mental health intertwines with decision-making processes, recovery, and overall satisfaction.

Dr. Aldo Guerra and Dr. Scott Ogley advise everyone to prioritize their physical and mental health before considering any surgical procedures, especially if they struggle with the following:

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Individuals with BDD may have unrealistic expectations and an obsessive focus on minor imperfections. They may seek multiple cosmetic procedures, which can lead to dissatisfaction, disappointment, and regret.
• Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Having depressive thoughts and/or crippling anxiety may impact a patient’s ability to cope with the emotional demands of plastic surgery. These mental health conditions may elevate stress levels, complicate decision-making, fuel suicidal thoughts, and cause mental breakdowns before and after the procedure.
• Eating Disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other forms of eating disorders can have detrimental effects on someone’s health and well-being. These conditions may lead to nutritional deficiencies, weakened immune systems, impaired wound healing, and overall dissatisfaction with the results.

50 million Americans live with depression, anxiety, and other conditions involving changes in emotion, behavior, and/or thinking. If you do, too, establish open and honest communication with your surgeon and mental health provider. Collaboration between these professionals will allow for a comprehensive evaluation of your readiness for surgery.

Make Health and Safety a Priority in Plastic Surgery

Although plastic surgery may achieve your desired aesthetic outcomes, keep in mind that breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and other under-the-knife cosmetic techniques are still medical procedures. To mitigate risks, contact us to work with a reputable and experienced plastic surgeon who values health over beauty, and has a fully equipped surgical facility to ensure overall safety. We look forward to building a bridge between our team, you, and your healthcare specialist.