Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to DoCorrective SurgeryA Second OpinionDocument Your Communication
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Do
Corrective Surgery
A Second Opinion
Document Your Communication
What happens if the badplastic surgeryoutcome you see isn’t displayed in the latest celebrity tabloid, but rather in the mirror? It’s not uncommon for people to be disappointed at the results, and plastic surgeons facemedical malpracticelawsuits more often than many other types of practitioners do.
Breast surgeries accounted for the most complaints in a 2023 Canadian study (47%), with head and neck surgeries next. The study underscored the need to have good information about the plastic surgery you’re planning.But after the fact, when bad plastic surgery leaves you angry and afraid, it can be hard to know what to do next.
You can take steps if your expectations forplastic surgerydo not match the outcome. It can help you develop a measured response better suited to meeting your goals.
PhotoAlto / Frederic Cirou / Getty Images
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been a Victim of Bad Plastic Surgery
Some cases of bad plastic surgery involve a poor aesthetic outcome. In other severe cases, cosmetic surgery can lead to serious medical complications like blood clots ornecrosis(tissue death).
The first thing you should do if you think you’ve had bad plastic surgery is to call yoursurgeonand make an appointment to see them. At the post-op appointment, ask the surgeon about the healing time and expectations. Are the results on target with the healing phase?
If the healing phase is uncomplicated, then this is an expectation issue. Review this with the surgeon. Be aware that social media can set unrealistic expectations.
Access and communication after your surgery are important reasons why you need to establish a relationship rather than opt for risky “plastic surgery tourism” alternatives. One study found that just 26% of people had a follow-up appointment when they traveled for care and had no home surgeon.
Brazilian Butt Lifts and Bad Plastic SurgeryTheBrazilian butt liftcarries the distinction of having the highest mortality rate of any aesthetic plastic surgery. A 2023 study found that 92% of the fatal cases tracked between 2010 and 2022 were linked to budget clinics in South Florida, with cases rising despite the fact that the state’s medical board highlighted the problem in 2019 and safety guidelines were in place.
Brazilian Butt Lifts and Bad Plastic Surgery
TheBrazilian butt liftcarries the distinction of having the highest mortality rate of any aesthetic plastic surgery. A 2023 study found that 92% of the fatal cases tracked between 2010 and 2022 were linked to budget clinics in South Florida, with cases rising despite the fact that the state’s medical board highlighted the problem in 2019 and safety guidelines were in place.
Despite Its Risk, the Brazilian Butt Lift Trend Is Here to Stay
Some Procedures May Take Time to Heal Properly
Healing requires time after even the most minor plastic surgery procedures, and it could be that what you are seeing is simply a part of the healing process. For example, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says a “normal” appearance after a dermal filler procedure can include:
With some surgeries, the saying “it may get worse before it gets better” is the norm. Many people are surprised with how good a surgical site can look later. Symptoms should resolve within a few hours or days, though, so talk with your healthcare provider about what to expect.
Celebrities and Bad Plastic Surgery OutcomesBadplastic surgeryfascinates people who follow Hollywood news and trends. There are entire websites devoted to the worst plastic surgery outcomes, with photos of the late Michael Jackson, former “Friends” star Courtney Cox, or even those who deny plastic surgery rumors.
Celebrities and Bad Plastic Surgery Outcomes
Badplastic surgeryfascinates people who follow Hollywood news and trends. There are entire websites devoted to the worst plastic surgery outcomes, with photos of the late Michael Jackson, former “Friends” star Courtney Cox, or even those who deny plastic surgery rumors.
Your Surgery May Be One Step in a Multistep Process
Oftentimes, a surgical reconstruction procedure, especially if large or detailed, requires several procedures.Burn injury treatment, for example, typically requires multiple reconstructive surgeries to restore skin, blood vessels, nerves, and more.
When this is the case, it is common for the “gets worse before getting better” saying to ring true. Hopefully, you will already be aware that further surgeries are required if this is the case, but it’s important to keep this in mind.
More than 1 million reconstructive surgeries were performed in 2022, according to the annual report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.It’s important to remember that elective and reconstructive plastic surgeries have different goals that may affect your recovery time.
How Flap Techniques Are Used in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Corrective Surgery May Solve the Problem
If your bad outcome from plastic surgery isn’t related to healing or the need for an additional procedure, it’s important to realize that each person’s case hasspecific risksand even the best plastic surgeons havecomplications.
If you are unhappy with the results of your surgery, your plastic surgeon may offer to do corrective surgery at no charge. Revision may be considered six to 12 months after the initial surgery.
Keep in mind that your original surgeon may not be willing to provide further care if you’ve already filed a medical board complaint or posted a negative online review.
When You Should You Get Another Opinion
If speaking with your surgeon has proved unhelpful and you still feel there is a problem, seek a second opinion. Make sure you seek the advice of a qualified (andboard-certified) surgeon, perhaps even one who specializes in exactly the kind of surgery you had.
You may need to seek out your second opinion at one of the larger medical centers in order to find a plastic surgeon who specializes in a specific type of plastic surgery. Also be aware that you may have to wait to have the next procedure, with many providers recommending at least a six-month wait.
If no other options work and you plan to file a complaint, be sure to document your experience and conversations with written notes, including dates, times, symptoms, and problems, as well as photos.
When filing a complaint, you will need to have a legitimate medical reason, as simply “I don’t like the way I look” is not a reportable complaint.
When you have your information together, you can file a complaint with the state medical board and/or with the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. You may decide to contact an attorney who specializes in medical cases, to discuss potential litigation on grounds that can include informed consent issues, or a procedure that exceeds their expertise or appropriate care guidelines.
About Body Dysmorphic DisorderIf you’re not happy with plastic surgery results, it may be due to body dysmorphic disorder. Therapy can help to change how you see yourself and recognize the risk of corrective or reconstructive surgeries (andanesthesia for surgery). People with body dysmorphic disorder may still have true bad surgical outcomes just as anyone else, and it can be helpful to have a therapist help make the distinction.
About Body Dysmorphic Disorder
If you’re not happy with plastic surgery results, it may be due to body dysmorphic disorder. Therapy can help to change how you see yourself and recognize the risk of corrective or reconstructive surgeries (andanesthesia for surgery). People with body dysmorphic disorder may still have true bad surgical outcomes just as anyone else, and it can be helpful to have a therapist help make the distinction.
What Is Informed Consent?
Summary
Dissatisfaction with the results of plastic surgery can occur for reasons that aren’t due to a surgeon’s expertise or incompetence. You may need more time to heal, or your surgery may be a multi-step process. In some cases, your body image and expectations may be part of the problem.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gibstein AR, Jabori SK, Watane A, Slavin BR, Elabd R, Singh D.Do Plastic Surgery Residents Get Sued? An Analysis of Malpractice Lawsuits.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Jan 13;11(1):e4721. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004721.ElHawary H, Aldien AS, Gorgy A, Salimi A, Gilardino MS.Dissecting Medical Litigation: An Analysis of Canadian Legal Cases in Plastic Surgery.Plast Surg (Oakv). 2023 May;31(2):161-167. doi: 10.1177/22925503211034835.Khunger N.Complications in Cosmetic Surgery: A Time to Reflect and Review and not Sweep Them Under the Carpet.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-90. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188Hery D, Schwarte B, Patel K, Elliott JO, Vasko S.Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Dec 21;6:ojad113. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad113.Pazmiño P, Garcia O.Brazilian Butt Lift-Associated Mortality: The South Florida Experience.Aesthet Surg J.2023 Feb 3;43(2):162-178. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac224.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Dermal Fillers.Radzikowska-Büchner E, Łopuszyńska I, Flieger W, Tobiasz M, Maciejewski R, Flieger J.An Overview of Recent Developments in the Management of Burn Injuries.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 15;24(22):16357. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216357.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.Neaman Plastic Surgery.What Can I Do After a Botched Cosmetic Procedure?Brown KW, Moss CA, McCandless MG, Mukit M, Walker ME.Plastic Surgery: Beware the Candle Burning at Both Ends.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Dec 22;11(12):e5495. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005495Additional ReadingBowyer L, Krebs G, Mataix-Cols D, Veale D, Monzani B.A critical review of cosmetic treatment outcomes in body dysmorphic disorder.Body Image. 2016. 19:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.07.001Herruer J, Prins J, van Heerbeek N, Verhage-Damen G, Ingels K.Negative predictors for satisfaction in patients seeking facial cosmetic surgery: A systematic review.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015. 15(6):1596-605. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001264Sweis I, Spitz J, Barry D, Cohen M.A review of body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic surgery patients and the legal implications.Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2017 Feb 15. (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gibstein AR, Jabori SK, Watane A, Slavin BR, Elabd R, Singh D.Do Plastic Surgery Residents Get Sued? An Analysis of Malpractice Lawsuits.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Jan 13;11(1):e4721. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004721.ElHawary H, Aldien AS, Gorgy A, Salimi A, Gilardino MS.Dissecting Medical Litigation: An Analysis of Canadian Legal Cases in Plastic Surgery.Plast Surg (Oakv). 2023 May;31(2):161-167. doi: 10.1177/22925503211034835.Khunger N.Complications in Cosmetic Surgery: A Time to Reflect and Review and not Sweep Them Under the Carpet.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-90. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188Hery D, Schwarte B, Patel K, Elliott JO, Vasko S.Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Dec 21;6:ojad113. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad113.Pazmiño P, Garcia O.Brazilian Butt Lift-Associated Mortality: The South Florida Experience.Aesthet Surg J.2023 Feb 3;43(2):162-178. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac224.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Dermal Fillers.Radzikowska-Büchner E, Łopuszyńska I, Flieger W, Tobiasz M, Maciejewski R, Flieger J.An Overview of Recent Developments in the Management of Burn Injuries.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 15;24(22):16357. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216357.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.Neaman Plastic Surgery.What Can I Do After a Botched Cosmetic Procedure?Brown KW, Moss CA, McCandless MG, Mukit M, Walker ME.Plastic Surgery: Beware the Candle Burning at Both Ends.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Dec 22;11(12):e5495. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005495Additional ReadingBowyer L, Krebs G, Mataix-Cols D, Veale D, Monzani B.A critical review of cosmetic treatment outcomes in body dysmorphic disorder.Body Image. 2016. 19:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.07.001Herruer J, Prins J, van Heerbeek N, Verhage-Damen G, Ingels K.Negative predictors for satisfaction in patients seeking facial cosmetic surgery: A systematic review.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015. 15(6):1596-605. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001264Sweis I, Spitz J, Barry D, Cohen M.A review of body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic surgery patients and the legal implications.Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2017 Feb 15. (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gibstein AR, Jabori SK, Watane A, Slavin BR, Elabd R, Singh D.Do Plastic Surgery Residents Get Sued? An Analysis of Malpractice Lawsuits.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Jan 13;11(1):e4721. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004721.ElHawary H, Aldien AS, Gorgy A, Salimi A, Gilardino MS.Dissecting Medical Litigation: An Analysis of Canadian Legal Cases in Plastic Surgery.Plast Surg (Oakv). 2023 May;31(2):161-167. doi: 10.1177/22925503211034835.Khunger N.Complications in Cosmetic Surgery: A Time to Reflect and Review and not Sweep Them Under the Carpet.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-90. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188Hery D, Schwarte B, Patel K, Elliott JO, Vasko S.Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Dec 21;6:ojad113. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad113.Pazmiño P, Garcia O.Brazilian Butt Lift-Associated Mortality: The South Florida Experience.Aesthet Surg J.2023 Feb 3;43(2):162-178. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac224.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Dermal Fillers.Radzikowska-Büchner E, Łopuszyńska I, Flieger W, Tobiasz M, Maciejewski R, Flieger J.An Overview of Recent Developments in the Management of Burn Injuries.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 15;24(22):16357. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216357.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.Neaman Plastic Surgery.What Can I Do After a Botched Cosmetic Procedure?Brown KW, Moss CA, McCandless MG, Mukit M, Walker ME.Plastic Surgery: Beware the Candle Burning at Both Ends.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Dec 22;11(12):e5495. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005495
Gibstein AR, Jabori SK, Watane A, Slavin BR, Elabd R, Singh D.Do Plastic Surgery Residents Get Sued? An Analysis of Malpractice Lawsuits.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Jan 13;11(1):e4721. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004721.
ElHawary H, Aldien AS, Gorgy A, Salimi A, Gilardino MS.Dissecting Medical Litigation: An Analysis of Canadian Legal Cases in Plastic Surgery.Plast Surg (Oakv). 2023 May;31(2):161-167. doi: 10.1177/22925503211034835.
Khunger N.Complications in Cosmetic Surgery: A Time to Reflect and Review and not Sweep Them Under the Carpet.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-90. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188
Hery D, Schwarte B, Patel K, Elliott JO, Vasko S.Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Dec 21;6:ojad113. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad113.
Pazmiño P, Garcia O.Brazilian Butt Lift-Associated Mortality: The South Florida Experience.Aesthet Surg J.2023 Feb 3;43(2):162-178. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac224.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Dermal Fillers.
Radzikowska-Büchner E, Łopuszyńska I, Flieger W, Tobiasz M, Maciejewski R, Flieger J.An Overview of Recent Developments in the Management of Burn Injuries.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 15;24(22):16357. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216357.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.
Neaman Plastic Surgery.What Can I Do After a Botched Cosmetic Procedure?
Brown KW, Moss CA, McCandless MG, Mukit M, Walker ME.Plastic Surgery: Beware the Candle Burning at Both Ends.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Dec 22;11(12):e5495. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005495
Bowyer L, Krebs G, Mataix-Cols D, Veale D, Monzani B.A critical review of cosmetic treatment outcomes in body dysmorphic disorder.Body Image. 2016. 19:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.07.001Herruer J, Prins J, van Heerbeek N, Verhage-Damen G, Ingels K.Negative predictors for satisfaction in patients seeking facial cosmetic surgery: A systematic review.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015. 15(6):1596-605. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001264Sweis I, Spitz J, Barry D, Cohen M.A review of body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic surgery patients and the legal implications.Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2017 Feb 15. (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x
Bowyer L, Krebs G, Mataix-Cols D, Veale D, Monzani B.A critical review of cosmetic treatment outcomes in body dysmorphic disorder.Body Image. 2016. 19:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.07.001
Herruer J, Prins J, van Heerbeek N, Verhage-Damen G, Ingels K.Negative predictors for satisfaction in patients seeking facial cosmetic surgery: A systematic review.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015. 15(6):1596-605. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001264
Sweis I, Spitz J, Barry D, Cohen M.A review of body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic surgery patients and the legal implications.Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2017 Feb 15. (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x
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