What is the safest Plastic Surgery Procedure?

Learn about the safest plastic surgery procedure with insights from GetWellGo. Understand low-risk options and make informed decisions about your care.

What is the safest Plastic Surgery Procedure?

What is safest Plastic Surgery?

The safest plastic surgery procedures are usually the least invasive ones — ones with the least cutting, shorter anaesthetic time, and quicker recovery. Some of the safest options are:

  • Botox and fillers (technically cosmetic, not surgery): No cutting at all, fast, and minimal risk if done by a professional.
  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): A relatively minor surgery with a very high success rate and very low complication rate.
  • Lip lifts: Small, localized procedure that is usually safe if done by an experienced surgeon.
  • Otoplasty (ear surgery): Straightforward surgery that can be carried out under local anaesthetic with minimal risks.
  • Liposuction (small areas): Provided done cautiously and on small surfaces, liposuction has an excellent safety record.
  • Scar revision or mole removal: Extremely minor operations, most likely carried out under local anaesthesia.

What are Types?

Plastic surgery primarily comes under two large categories:

Cosmetic Surgery (for looks) - Concerned with enhancing the way you look.

Facial surgeries:

  • Rhinoplasty (nose job)
  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
  • Facelift (rhytidectomy)
  • Brow lift
  • Lip lift
  • Chin or cheek implants

Body surgeries:

  • Liposuction
  • Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
  • Mommy makeover (combination of breast, body, etc.)
  • Arm lift (brachioplasty)
  • Thigh lift

Breast surgeries:

  • Breast augmentation (implants)
  • Breast lift (mastopexy)
  • Breast reduction

Minimally invasive alternatives:

  • Botox
  • Dermal fillers
  • Chemical peels
  • Laser resurfacing

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Reconstructive Surgery (for function and looks)

Corrects defects due to accidents, surgeries, or birth conditions.

Post-cancer reconstructions:

  • Breast reconstruction after mastectomy

Trauma-related:

  • Burn repairs
  • Scar revisions
  • Reparations of facial fractures

Reparations of congenital defects:

  • Cleft lip and palate repair
  • Syndactyly (joined fingers) hand surgery

Reconstructive microsurgery:

  • Reattachment of amputated fingers or limbs
  • Repair of nerves

Plastic Surgery Potential and Complications

Plastic Surgery: Potential Advantages

  • Enhanced Appearance: Fixes or improves features.
  • Increased Confidence: Most individuals feel more confident afterward.

Physical Health Benefits:

  • Illustration: Breast reduction relieves back/neck pain.

  • Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) enhances breathing.

Fixes Injuries or Defects:

  • Improves after burns, trauma, or birth defects (such as cleft lips).
  • Anti-Aging: Delays visible signs of aging for some.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Both physically (function) and psychologically (self-esteem).

Plastic Surgery: Potential Complications

Even with careful performance, all surgery involves some complications:

Typical Complications:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Poor wound healing
  • Scarring (can be thick or keloid scars in some individuals)
  • Nerve damage (temporary or permanent numbness or tingling)
  • Anesthesia complications (rare and serious)
  • Blood clots (particularly after more than a minor procedure)
  • Pain and swelling (expected short-term, concerning if severe)
  • Unsatisfactory results (occasionally needing revision surgery)

Procedure-specific complications:

  • Breast implants: Risk of rupture, capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue).
  • Facelift: Risk of nerve damage (temporary or permanent weakness).
  • Liposuction: Risk of irregular outline, fluid retention.
  • Nose surgery: Breathing problems if healing is irregular.

Safest Plastic Surgery Risks

Small Risks for Any Procedure

  • Infection (even small wounds may become infected)
  • Swelling and bruising (usual but occasionally persists)
  • Allergic reactions (to anaesthetics, sutures, or products)
  • Scarring (usually small, but healing varies from person to person)
  • Asymmetry (healing is uneven)

Extremely Rare but Serious Risks

  • Blood clots (DVT) — generally after lengthy operations or in patients at high risk
  • Anaesthesia complications — extremely rare in short/local anaesthesia operations
  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) — extremely rare

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Safest Plastic Surgery Procedure

The most secure plastic surgery procedure in general is usually regarded as the blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).

Here's why:

Why Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Is Safest

  • Limited, localized area (the eyelid) — not massive body surgery
  • Brief surgery duration — typically 1–2 hours
  • Frequently performed with local anaesthesia — reduces anaesthesia risks
  • Minimal blood loss — less bleeding in comparison to larger surgeries
  • Rapid recovery — most individuals are back to regular activities within 1–2 weeks
  • Minimal complications — infection, scarring, nerve problems occur extremely infrequently
  • High levels of satisfaction — most individuals are extremely satisfied with their outcome

Purpose

  • Remove excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids.
  • Makes eyes look younger, less tired, and can improve vision if droopy lids are blocking sight.

Procedure Steps

Anaesthesia

  • Usually local anaesthesia (you’re awake but the area is numb).
  • Sometimes combined with a light sedative.
  • General anaesthesia is rare unless combined with other surgeries.

Incision

Upper eyelid:

  • Small cut made in the natural crease of the upper lid.

Lower eyelid:

  • Cut made just below the lash line, or inside the lower lid (hidden scar).

Tissue Removal and Adjustment

The surgeon takes great care:

  • Removes excess skin.
  • Repositions or removes fat bulges.
  • Tightens muscle if necessary.
  • Great care is taken to preserve a natural eye shape.

Closing the Incision

  • Tiny stitches are used to close the cuts.
  • Stitches are typically removed (if non-dissolvable) after 5–7 days.

Recovery

  • Mild swelling, bruising, and dry eyes are normal for the first 7–10 days.
  • Most individuals resume normal daily routines within approximately 10–14 days.
  • Complete final results are apparent after approximately 1–3 months.