Risks & Potential Complications

Complications (General)

Before deciding to proceed with surgery, every patient needs to thoroughly consider the risks, as well as the benefits, of surgery. 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 S Lifts)

  • Given the limited nature of the dissection as compared to a full traditional face lift. The potential for extensive skin loss from either interrupting the blood supply or infection is vastly diminished.
  • Because the SMAS is not elevated during the procedure the chances of sustaining any form of facial nerve damage is also vastly diminished compared to a traditional face lifting procedure.
  • As the technique relies on suture suspension of the deeper structures it is theoretically possible that the sutures could lose traction with time and the result diminish. This is primarily a theoretical risk and its occurrence has not been borne out with experience with the procedure.
  • Mr Masters will fully discuss the risks and complications with the procedure during your preoperative consultations.