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All surgery has risks and plastic or cosmetic surgery is no exception. However there are circumstances where cosmetic surgery can go horribly wrong and instead of creating the alteration that was requested by the patient, disfigurement or worse can happen. Beyond the expected risks of surgery, plastic surgery patients can become victims of negligence and medical malpractice.
Frequency Of Plastic Surgery: An Increasing Trend
In 2012, approximately 14.6 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the U.S. This is an increase over 2011 of 5%. The majority of the surgeries were minimally invasive surgeries such as laser hair removal or botox treatments, however millions of people underwent full surgery for either aesthetic or medical reasons. A breakdown of the types of cosmetic surgeries includes:
- 13 million minimally-invasive cosmetic surgeries
- 5.6 million reconstructive plastic surgeries
- 1.6 cosmetic surgeries
Each can have risks, from reactions to anesthesia to infections. Plastic surgeons are required to explain these risks to their patients, giving them the choice to accept these risks if they choose to go ahead with the procedure. However there are times when these risks are not covered with the patient, negligently left out and the patient may agree to the procedure without understanding the possibly risks or negative outcomes
Types Of Cosmetic Procedures
Most plastic or cosmetic surgeries are to enhance appearance, often for vanity or personal reasons. However, there are also plastic surgeries that are done to remove tumors, correct defects and repair damage caused serious accidents. Some of the top plastic surgeries or cosmetic procedures done in 2012 include:
- Breast augmentation- 286,000
- Botulinum toxin type A- 6.1 million
- Tumor removal- 4.2 million
- Nose reshaping- 243,000
- Eyelid surgery- 204,000
- Liposuction- 202,000
- Laceration repair- 291,000
The tragedy is that these surgeries are meant to enhance appearance or increase function for the patient, yet they can end in disastrous results. Patients can be disfigured under the surgeon’s knife, have severe reactions such as infection and even die as a result of the negligent acts of a surgeon, anesthesiologist or office staff.
Plastic Surgery Malpractice Injuries
Not all issues caused by a surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, are considered negligent or are covered by malpractice. There are certain risks that are present that no doctor or surgeon can predict or prevent. However, when an injury or defect is caused by negligence on the part of the surgeon or their team, then the surgeon or medical facility may be liable in a malpractice lawsuit. Some common injuries that can occur from negligence during plastic surgery include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Deformities requiring multiple corrective surgeries
- Long-term damage to nerves, muscles or other soft tissues
- Medication errors
- Wrongful death
These types of injuries can have permanent damage for the patient, leaving them with physical disability, psychological and emotional trauma and financial hardships. When the injury was caused by negligence, the victim or their family has the right to file for a medical malpractice lawsuit to cover their damages from the plastic surgery that went wrong.
Chicago Plastic Surgery Malpractice Lawyers
An error during a plastic surgery procedure can result in a permanent deformity or death. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represents individuals and families in medical malpractice cases involving errors made before, during or after plastic surgery procedures. Our office has a network of doctors who can evaluate your case to determine where the errors were made. Call us for a complementary case evaluation without cost or obligation on your end.
