Facelifts
Facelifts are often seen as just another cosmetic procedure, designed to make a patient appear younger, to eliminate sagging jaw lines, or mask an ageing neck.* However, a facelift is a type of invasive surgery and, like all other surgical procedures, it carries a degree of risk. The standard of care expected in this area is very high, but a lapse in the standard may occur and cause devastating or catastrophic outcomes.
Errors that may occur:
- poorly/incorrectly administered anaesthetic
- allergic reaction to anaesthetic
- infection
- blood loss
- extreme scarring/swelling
- development of pockets of blood under the skin
- loss of facial structure
- loss of skin/hair
- tethering/scarring as a result of the skin being pulled too tightly and being set using excessive tension
- damages to the nerves
- failure to warn a patient of the potential risks and possible complications, resulting in a lack of informed consent
Dermal Fillers/Lip Fillers
In comparison to a facelift, dermal fillers and lip fillers seem like simple, straightforward alternative procedures. Assuming all goes smoothly, they appear to produce instant results, with a fraction of the downtime. They promise to add volume and structure to the face and lips in the time it takes to have your lunch break, but they can have devastating consequences if they are performed negligently.
Types of fillers available include:
- polylactic acid (collagen stimulating filler);
- hyaluronic acid (Examples: Restylane and Juvederm);
- calcium hydroxylapatite
Errors that may occur:
- injection of too much filler, which can cause extreme difficulty if the excess must be removed later
- incorrect placement of filler
- failure to warn a patient of the potential risks and possible complications, resulting in a lack of informed consent
- infection
- lumps and bumps beneath the surface of the skin/lips and surrounding areas
- swelling and itching
- rashes
- bruising
What to Do If You Have Experienced Negligence as a Result of a Facelift or Dermal/Lip Fillers
To proceed with a claim for negligence, a patient must show that the procedure fell below the accepted standard of care and that the patient is suffering from the injury/damage complained of as a result of this sub-standard treatment.
If you are unsure if you have a case, get in touch with the HOMS Assist team. We will assess the circumstances surrounding the facelift or dermal filler procedure. With your permission, we will take up copies of the relevant medical notes and, with the help of our panel of medical experts, ascertain whether negligence exists or not.
If negligence is identified, we will proceed with the case on your behalf, guiding you through what might otherwise seem like a daunting process.
