Risks & Potential Complications

Before deciding to proceed with surgery, every patient needs to thoroughly consider the risks, as well as the benefits, of the proposed procedure. During your pre-operative consultation(s), Mr Masters will openly discuss the risks with you so that you can consider them. A full listing of all the potential complications and risks of this procedure is beyond the scope of this website. There are two broad groupings of surgical risks: those that pertain to surgery in general; and those specific to the procedure being performed.

Generalised surgical risks include:

• Bleeding – usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours of the procedure and may require a return to the operating room. A quiet, restful post-operative period will help to avoid this problem.
• Bruising – whenever possible, Mr Masters uses medications and techniques that help to avoid post-operative bruising. The appropriate use of Arnica may help to speed the resolution of bruising.
• Infection – surgical incisions, even though created in ideal circumstances, can become infected. When appropriate, antibiotics will be prescribed to lower this risk.
• Unfavourable scarring – every surgical incision results in a scar. It is Mr Masters’ role to maximise the quality of your scars and, whenever possible, to hide them in natural skin creases.

Risks and Complications Specific to Face Lifting Procedures

In people with poor blood supply to the skin (particularly smokers) there is a risk of poor wound healing with face lifting. In extreme cases there may be some skin loss due to poor blood supply.

The SMAS layer sits directly upon the facial nerve branches. There is a small risk associated with SMAS face lifting of damage to these nerves that can leave movement asymmetries in the face.

Mr Masters will fully discuss the risks and complications of the procedure during your preoperative consultations, if you have any concerns or questions these should be openly discussed with him.