Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Problems breathing
• Reactions to medications

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Other risks include:

• A pocket of blood under the skin (hematoma) that may need to be drained
• Damage to the nerves that control muscles of the face (this is usually temporary)
• Wounds that do not heal well
• Pain that does not go away
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation

Although most patients are happy with the outcomes, poor cosmetic results that may require additional surgery include:

• Unpleasant scarring
• Asymmetry of the face
• Fluid that collects under the skin
• Irregular skin shape (contour)
• Changes in skin color
• Sutures that become visible or cause irritation