Here’s the High Price of Beauty: Dangerous Cosmetic Surgeries Exposed
”Paradoxically, while prevalent, artificial beauty remains widely unaccepted in contemporary society.”
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Over half a century ago, while I was a student in science school, I discovered that cosmetic surgery is a specialized branch of medicine dedicated to enhancing or improving a person’s appearance through various medical and surgical techniques.
These procedures can alter the shape, structure, or function of body parts purely for aesthetic purposes. Back then, cosmetic surgery was not as prevalent, but there were already medical professionals who aspired to master this transformative field.
Nowadays, unlike reconstructive surgery, which aims to restore form and function after injury, illness, or congenital defects, cosmetic surgery is elective and performed on otherwise healthy people to achieve desired physical changes. Common procedures include facelifts, breast augmentations, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery.
One of my daughters was very ambitious about getting cosmetic surgery during her late teenage years. As a parent, I was deeply concerned. It took our entire family, including medical professionals, a long time to convince her that she was beautiful just the way she was.
We even organized clandestine therapy sessions, which ultimately helped her decide against it. I’m sharing this background because I’d like to discuss an interesting study related to a topic that’s very close to my heart.
As pointed out in this review paper published in the Journal of Body Image:
“Modern women feel compelled to meet near-impossible standards of beauty. For many, this pursuit ultimately culminates in cosmetic surgery — a radical form of beautification that is rapidly becoming popular worldwide. Paradoxically, while prevalent, artificial beauty remains widely unaccepted in contemporary society.”
Why I Wrote This Educational Story Today
Recently, I received an intriguing email from a healthcare colleague that I’d like to share with you. It outlined a new study analyzing the most dangerous cosmetic surgeries based on key factors such as complication rates, recovery times, and the severity of complications.
As a retired healthcare consultant, I’ve always been fascinated by the evolving landscape of medical procedures, especially those related to cosmetic surgery.
A new study conducted by Overnight Glasses, which I was unaware of before, caught my attention because it ranks cosmetic surgeries by their danger levels using a comprehensive risk index.
They considered complication rates, types of complications, recovery times, and even mortality rates to determine which procedures were the riskiest.
Let me summarize the findings, focusing on the severity of complications to give you an idea about dangerous cosmetic surgeries.
Here is my summary of the study based on complication risks.
Topping the list is eye color change surgery, which has a staggering 92.30% complication rate. This procedure isn’t FDA-approved and poses high risks, including vision loss, glaucoma, and corneal damage. Recovery can vary from one to eight weeks, and the surgery itself costs around $12,000.
Coming in second is the thigh lift, with a 78.00% complication rate. This surgery carries risks like blood clots, infection, and changes in skin sensation. The recovery period of four to six weeks, combined with these risks, makes it particularly hazardous.
Injectable fillers rank third due to a 64.61% complication rate. Common issues include allergic reactions, infection, and asymmetry. Although the recovery time is very short (one to two days), the frequency of complications justifies its ranking.
Body lift procedures are fourth on the list, with a 42.00% complication rate. High risks of infection, wound healing issues, and blood clots, coupled with a four to six-week recovery time, contribute to its high danger level.
Breast reduction surgery comes in fifth, with a 38.00% complication rate. Risks include blood clots, infection, and anesthesia complications, with a recovery period of two to four weeks. Despite being less risky than some other procedures, it still poses significant dangers.
The Brazilian Butt Lift ranks sixth with a 37.94% complication rate. Despite its popularity, this procedure is notorious for risks such as fat embolism and infection. Recovery takes six to eight weeks, adding to its overall danger.
Butt implants rank seventh, with a 21.60% complication rate. This surgery has notable risks such as infection, implant displacement, and nerve damage. Recovery time is four to six weeks, placing it high on the danger list.
Arm lifts rank eighth, with a 21.00% complication rate. Risks include infection, scarring, and nerve damage, with a recovery time of two to four weeks. While it has fewer severe complications than some other procedures, it remains risky.
Breast augmentation follows in ninth place with a 14.40% complication rate. It involves risks like implant complications, infection, and capsular contracture, with a recovery period of four to six weeks.
Rounding out the top ten are breast lifts, with a 10.40% complication rate. This surgery carries risks of blood clots, infection, and changes in nipple or breast sensation, with a recovery period of four to six weeks.
Conclusions and Takeaways
I have not had the opportunity to review the published version of the study, so I cannot comment on its methodological rigor. However, based on my prior research on the topic, the report does indicate that the risks are significant.
For example, a 2021 systematic review on BMC (Part of Springer Nature) mentioned a significant lack of consensus on when publicly funded breast reduction should be indicated. This resulted in varied recommendations across guidelines and led to unequal access to the procedure.
The primary aim of the review was to evaluate the risks and benefits of breast reduction for treating breast hypertrophy, with secondary aims focused on how studies define breast hypertrophy and the criteria for recommending breast reduction.
A systematic literature search across multiple databases yielded 15 articles, which included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled studies, case series, and one qualitative study.
Despite the benefits observed — such as improved health-related quality of life, better sexuality-related outcomes, and reduced depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain — the certainty of these outcomes was low due to significant study limitations and issues with directness.
Additionally, physical function improvements were noted in some studies, though the evidence was of very low certainty. Complications varied widely, with major complications ranging from 2.4% to 14% and minor complications from 2.4% to 69%.
Researchers concluded that while breast reduction may offer psychological and physical benefits, the lack of high-quality studies makes it unclear which women benefit the most and who should be offered the procedure within the public healthcare system. The study highlights the need for more rigorous research to better define criteria and ensure equitable access to breast reduction surgery.
As someone who spent decades in the healthcare field, I find these results fascinating and concerning. The high complication rates and the severity of the risks involved highlight the importance of thorough research and consideration before undergoing any cosmetic procedure.
My personal perspective is to consult with qualified health professionals and weigh the potential benefits against the risks to make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Here is a story I enjoyed about body image.
The Striking Impact of Negative Body Image on Vulnerable People
Life lessons learned from the suicide note of an adolescent friend who ended his life due to his girlfriend's
Thanks for reading my story. I wish you a joyful life.
By the way, I’ve rekindled my love-hate relationship with Medium and became a Friend of Medium again. What can I say? Some commitments are just too complicated to resist! It was all due to the friendly advice of my mentor, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, who said this wonderful community must survive and thrive. And let’s be real, who can say no to Dr. Yildiz? Not me!
I decided to publish this story because here is what is happening to my Health and Science pub that concerns me.
Why I Upgraded My FoM Subscription Again While My Health & Science Pub Lost 22K Views in July This is the last chance for Medium before losing this special pub contributed by 500+ health and science writers. The…medium.com
My next plan is to purchase a $179 course and become rich here.
Why Am I Buying a $179 Course and How Will I Be Rich After My 70s as a Freelance Writer? My new trainer said 4+ hours of video training program will make me an extraordinaire freelancer with a six-figure…medium.com
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post.
This is a fantastic idea. I am proud to sponsor Illumination's Quora spaces and Substack newsletters to promote them with the support of professional marketers. We will be an awesome community on Substack as we are on Medium. Thanks for leading this innovative project.
Thanks for this eye-opening piece, Mike. I learned a lot from it. I admire your research and diligence on public health matters.