Are Plastic Surgeries Harmful to Health?

Plastic surgeries are surgical procedures performed to achieve desired changes in appearance. These interventions include a wide variety of operations such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, breast augmentation or reduction, liposuction, buttock augmentation, and mommy makeovers. With the increasing demand for these surgeries, one of the most frequently asked questions is: Are plastic surgeries harmful to health?

The answer varies depending on the patient’s overall health condition, the type of surgery, the surgeon’s experience, and postoperative care. However, according to scientific data and current practices, plastic surgeries performed under the right conditions are not known to cause significant harm to health.

What Is Plastic Surgery?

Aesthetic surgery includes interventions performed to improve a person’s physical appearance. Unlike reconstructive surgery, it does not address a direct health problem but rather focuses on alleviating concerns about appearance. However, some cosmetic procedures may contribute positively to both psychological and physical health.

Possible Risks of Plastic Surgeries

As with any surgical intervention, plastic surgeries also carry certain risks, which typically include:

• Infection risk: May occur due to non-sterile conditions or insufficient postoperative care.
• Bleeding and hematoma: Though rare, can be seen especially in facial and body surgeries.
• Anesthesia complications: As in all surgeries, some individual reactions may occur under anesthesia.
• Problems during recovery: Temporary conditions such as scarring, tissue stiffness, or swelling may develop.
• Unmet expectations: Sometimes the results may not completely match the patient’s envisioned outcome.

However, the vast majority of these complications are very rare when surgeries are performed by a qualified plastic surgeon under proper hygienic conditions.

How Do Plastic Surgeries Affect Psychological Health?

The psychological effects of plastic surgeries should also be considered, not only the physical ones. Many studies have shown that individuals who are satisfied with their appearance experience increased self-confidence. Especially in individuals who have long felt discomfort with their appearance, significant improvements in quality of life may be observed after surgery.

However, one critical point is that for aesthetic operations to provide psychological benefits, expectations must be realistic. In cases of body dysmorphic disorder or psychiatric-based dissatisfaction, aesthetic interventions may not lead to sufficient improvement. For this reason, some patients may require psychological counseling before being directed to surgery.

In What Cases Do They Contribute to Health?

Some plastic surgeries not only improve appearance but also have health benefits:

• Breast reduction can reduce back and neck pain.
• Rhinoplasty can resolve breathing problems.
• Abdominoplasty can tighten loosened abdominal muscles after childbirth, improving mobility.
• Eyelid surgery can expand the field of vision and improve daily life quality.

In such cases, the purpose of plastic surgery is not only aesthetics but also functional improvement.

Benefits of Plastic Surgeries

• Provide Psychological Support: They can improve body image, helping to ease psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and lack of self-confidence.
• Offer Functional Benefits: Procedures like rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery provide not only aesthetic but also functional improvements, such as easier breathing and expanded vision.
• Help Balance Body Proportions: Breast augmentation or reduction can create more balanced body contours.
• Reduce Aging Effects: Procedures such as facelifts and eyelid surgeries can restore a younger, fresher appearance.
• Correct Skin Sagging After Weight Loss: Excess skin after bariatric surgery can be removed, offering both aesthetic and hygienic advantages.
• Increase Motivation for Self-Care: Positive postoperative changes often encourage healthier lifestyle habits.
• Enhance Professional Life: Self-confident individuals may perform better in job interviews, presentations, and leadership roles.
• Aid in Repair After Trauma or Accidents: Burns, injuries, or congenital deformities can be corrected with aesthetic surgery.
• Improve Social Integration: For individuals experiencing social isolation due to their appearance, plastic surgery can help them adapt more easily to social environments.

Who Are Not Suitable Candidates for Plastic Surgery?

Not every individual is a suitable candidate for plastic surgery. The following conditions require careful consideration:

• Individuals with serious chronic diseases (such as uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease)
• Patients with blood clotting disorders
• Individuals who continue smoking and are at risk of poor wound healing
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Individuals with unrealistic expectations

Why Is Choosing the Right Surgeon Crucially Important?

The success of plastic surgery largely depends on the surgeon’s knowledge, experience, and ethical approach. Procedures performed by inadequately trained or unqualified surgeons can cause not only aesthetic dissatisfaction but also serious health problems. Surgeries performed in unauthorized and unhygienic clinics may result in irreversible consequences such as infection, tissue necrosis, deformities, permanent scarring, or even organ loss.

Therefore, one of the most important criteria in choosing a surgeon is ensuring that they hold a recognized specialist diploma from the Turkish Medical Association and the Ministry of Health. Additionally, the hospital or clinic where the surgery will be performed must be fully equipped, Ministry of Health–approved, and capable of emergency interventions. Reviewing before-and-after photos, patient reviews, and national or international certifications of the surgeon should also be part of the decision-making process.

It must be remembered that plastic surgeries are not merely tools for “beautification,” but medical operations. Therefore, the priority should not be the cheapest or the fastest option, but the most reliable and competent one. Your health is far more valuable than any aesthetic expectation.

The Importance of Postoperative Care

For plastic surgeries not to cause harm and to achieve successful results, the postoperative care process plays a critical role. Prescribed medications must be used regularly, follow-up appointments should not be skipped, and physical activities should be limited for a certain period. Adequate rest, healthy nutrition, and careful wound care also accelerate recovery.

Are Plastic Surgeries Harmful?

When performed by qualified hands on suitable candidates, plastic surgeries do not cause significant health risks. On the contrary, they can alleviate physical discomfort, boost self-confidence, and improve quality of life.

However, as with any surgical procedure, awareness, proper surgeon selection, and realistic expectations are essential in aesthetic interventions. Risks can never be reduced to zero, only minimized. Therefore, individuals considering plastic surgery should evaluate the process thoroughly and make well-informed decisions for the healthiest outcome.

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