If you are considering plastic surgery, one of the first questions you may have is whether the procedure is safe.
Plastic surgery can be performed safely when the procedure is appropriate for the patient, the surgeon has relevant training, the patient is properly assessed and suitable arrangements are made for surgery and follow-up. Even with these measures, however, no surgical procedure is completely free of risk.
For people researching plastic surgery in Mysore, safety is something to discuss during the consultation. You should understand why a procedure has been recommended, what risks apply to you, where it will be performed, what recovery may involve and what support is available if a problem occurs.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends discussing qualifications, experience with the particular procedure, candidacy, facility arrangements, risks, recovery and complication management with a plastic surgeon.
Plastic surgery includes a wide range of procedures, and the risks are different from one operation to another.
Depending on the procedure and the individual patient, possible complications can include:
For this reason, there is no single answer that applies to every type of plastic surgery.
A patient considering liposuction may have different safety considerations from someone undergoing breast surgery, facial surgery or reconstructive surgery. Your medical history and the details of the planned procedure also affect the discussion.
The useful question during a consultation is therefore not simply, “Is this surgery safe?” It is, “What are the relevant risks for me, and how will they be managed?”
Safety involves several parts of the treatment process.
These include:
ASPS patient guidance encourages patients to ask where and how the procedure will be performed, how long recovery may take, what the risks are and how complications are handled.
A procedure that is suitable for one patient may not be appropriate for another.
Before recommending surgery, your surgeon needs relevant information about your health and medical history.
The discussion may include:
Depending on the procedure and your circumstances, investigations or medical clearance may also be recommended.
Be open about your medical history. Information that seems unrelated to cosmetic surgery may still be relevant to surgical planning.
One of the first things to check is the surgeon’s formal training.
The National Medical Commission publishes competency-based postgraduate training guidelines for M.Ch. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in India.
When researching a surgeon, look for information about:
If a qualification listed on a website is unfamiliar, ask the clinic or surgeon what the qualification represents.
APTA Clinic’s current doctor profile identifies Dr. B. Akshata Kamath, MBBS, MS, MCh, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. The profile lists cosmetic and reconstructive work, including diabetic foot and wound management, accident-related reconstruction, nerve injuries, scar management, facial fractures and cleft lip and cleft palate surgery.
Wanting a particular procedure does not automatically mean it is the right treatment for you.
Suitability can depend on:
Your surgeon should assess these factors before recommending treatment.
If another treatment, a different approach or no treatment is more appropriate, that should be part of the discussion as well.
Experience should be relevant to the treatment you are considering.
For example, someone planning breast surgery can ask about the surgeon’s experience with breast procedures. Someone considering facial surgery can ask about the relevant facial procedures.
Questions worth asking include:
ASPS similarly recommends asking about experience with the procedure, candidacy, recovery and complications.
Ask what formal training the surgeon has completed in plastic surgery.
Look for clear information about the surgeon’s medical education, postgraduate training and specialization.
The NMC’s postgraduate guidance provides a competency-based framework for M.Ch. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in India.
A website title or marketing description is not enough information on its own. If you are unsure about a qualification, ask for clarification.
A consultation should include a discussion about what the procedure may achieve.
Talk about:
ASPS recommends discussing goals, expectations and motivation as part of determining whether plastic surgery is appropriate.
Before-and-after photographs may help you understand the type of work a surgeon performs, but they cannot guarantee what your own result will look like.
Individual anatomy and healing can affect the outcome.
Anaesthesia is part of surgical planning.
Depending on the procedure, ask:
The answer will depend on your operation and medical circumstances.
Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without advice from your treating medical team.
Ask where your procedure will take place and what arrangements are available for your care.
You can ask:
ASPS advises patients to ask where and how the procedure will be performed and about facility arrangements.
The appropriate setting depends on factors such as the procedure, anaesthesia and the patient’s medical requirements.
Avoid accepting a general statement that a procedure is “safe” without asking what the risks are for your particular situation.
Depending on the operation, complications may include:
The actual risks vary between procedures and patients.
Ask your surgeon to explain the complications that are relevant to your planned treatment rather than relying entirely on a generic list from the internet.
Ask about recovery before you schedule your procedure.
Find out about:
Recovery varies significantly between procedures.
The recovery following a relatively small procedure should not be assumed to be the same as recovery following major reconstructive or body-contouring surgery.
Ask what happens if you develop a problem after surgery.
You should know:
ASPS specifically recommends asking how complications are handled.
Knowing this information before surgery can make it easier to respond if something unexpected happens during recovery.
Cost is an important practical consideration, but the price of surgery does not by itself establish the quality or safety of care.
Ask what the quoted amount includes.
Depending on the procedure, costs may involve:
APTA Clinic’s website provides appointment and contact information, but specific procedure prices should be confirmed with the clinic because treatment costs can vary according to the procedure and individual treatment plan.
A consultation gives you an opportunity to understand your options before making a decision.
The discussion may cover several areas.
Explain what you would like to change or what problem you want treated.
For reconstructive surgery, describe the injury, condition or functional concern as clearly as possible.
Tell the surgeon about relevant conditions, medicines, allergies, previous operations and previous reactions to anaesthesia.
The surgeon may examine the relevant area and consider your anatomy, skin or tissue characteristics and other factors related to treatment.
Ask which complications are possible and what recovery is likely to involve.
Write down your questions before the appointment.
ASPS recommends preparing questions in advance so important concerns are not forgotten during the consultation.
Depending on your concern, the discussion may include:
Preparation depends on the procedure and your health.
Your treating team may give you instructions about:
Follow the instructions provided by your medical team.
Do not make changes to prescribed medicines without medical advice.
If you develop an illness, infection or another significant health problem before planned surgery, tell your treating team.
Recovery is part of the treatment process.
Depending on the procedure, you may experience:
The duration and severity vary between patients and procedures.
Your surgeon should give you instructions specific to your treatment. Avoid using someone else’s social-media recovery as a benchmark for your own.
Cost should be discussed before treatment, but it should not replace consideration of the medical aspects of care.
When comparing quotations, ask what is included.
Instead of asking only:
“How much does the surgery cost?”
also ask:
“What does the quoted cost include?”
Depending on the treatment, this may include the surgeon, facility, anaesthesia, investigations, medicines and follow-up.
A clear financial discussion can reduce misunderstandings about what you will pay before and after the procedure.
Your treating team should explain which symptoms are expected and which ones require medical attention.
Contact your medical team promptly if you develop symptoms that concern you or that your postoperative instructions identify as warning signs.
Depending on the procedure, these may include:
Some symptoms may require urgent or emergency assessment.
If you experience a medical emergency, seek appropriate emergency medical care instead of waiting for a routine clinic appointment.
Before undergoing plastic surgery, take time to understand the procedure being considered.
Ask about the surgeon’s relevant qualifications, your suitability for treatment, possible risks, the facility and anaesthesia arrangements, expected recovery and follow-up care.
You should also have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding.
If you are considering plastic surgery in Mysore, APTA Clinic provides consultations for plastic and reconstructive surgery. You can discuss your concern and find out whether a particular procedure may be appropriate for your situation.
A consultation does not require you to undergo surgery. It allows you to discuss treatment options, risks, expected recovery and possible next steps before making a decision.
APTA Clinic is a multi-specialty aesthetic and cosmetic clinic in Mysuru with services across plastic surgery, dermatology, facial surgery, dental care and trichology.
Its plastic surgery department covers cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Listed treatment areas include breast surgery, liposuction, body contouring, mommy makeover, facial rejuvenation and scar reduction.
APTA Clinic’s current doctor profile identifies Dr. B. Akshata Kamath, MBBS, MS, MCh, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Her listed treatment areas include reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot and wound management, accident-related reconstruction, nerve injuries, scar management, facial fractures and cleft lip and cleft palate surgery.
APTA Clinic lists locations in Krishnamurthy Puram and Vijayanagar, Mysuru, and the source provided for this page lists +91 7411 707 555 as its contact number. It also lists working hours as Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Take this list with you to your consultation:
These questions cover areas recommended in ASPS patient-safety and consultation guidance, including qualifications, procedure experience, candidacy, facility, anaesthesia, risks, recovery and complication management.
Plastic surgery can be performed safely when the procedure is appropriate, the patient is properly assessed, the surgeon has relevant training and suitable surgical and follow-up arrangements are in place. However, no surgery is completely risk-free.
Risks depend on the procedure and the individual patient. They can include bleeding, infection, wound-healing problems, scarring, anaesthesia-related complications, blood clots, changes in sensation and unexpected aesthetic results.
Choose a suitably trained surgeon, provide complete medical information, understand the risks of your specific procedure, ask where the procedure will be performed, follow preparation instructions and attend recommended follow-up appointments.
Ask about the surgeon’s medical qualification, postgraduate surgical training and specific training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. In India, the NMC publishes competency-based postgraduate training guidelines for M.Ch. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
No. Suitability depends on the patient, procedure, medical history, expectations and other clinical factors. A consultation and appropriate medical assessment are needed before deciding whether surgery is suitable.
Yes. You should understand the important risks and possible complications associated with the specific procedure you are considering.
Recovery varies according to the procedure, extent of surgery and individual patient. Your surgeon should provide recovery guidance specific to the treatment.
Tell your surgeon about medical conditions, medicines, allergies, previous operations, previous reactions to anaesthesia and other relevant health information.
If you are uncertain about the proposed procedure, risks, alternatives or treatment plan, another professional opinion may help you understand your options before deciding.
Yes. APTA Clinic has a plastic surgery department offering cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Its listed areas include breast surgery, liposuction, body contouring, mommy makeover, facial rejuvenation and scar reduction.
APTA Clinic’s current profile identifies Dr. B. Akshata Kamath, MBBS, MS, MCh, as a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon.