How to prevent complications with injectables?

Posted by PC
June 28, 2006

Now that we have so many choices for injectables or dermal fillers, more of us are using them and more often. As is always the case, since there is no “surgery” involved, all kinds of people want to give you an injectable – often at heavily discounted price. While it may be tempting to think why pay a lot more to a cosmetic surgeon when the same filler can be administered by a “friend” or esthetician, I would suggest that you still choose a cosmetic surgeon for two reasons. One, only a qualified medical professional can make sure that you choose the right filler. Two, if there is an emergency, there is an expert ready to deal with it.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has following advice for patients considering cosmetic injectable treatments:

    Don’t choose a provider based on price. Injectables are pharmaceutical products and must be administered by trained, qualified clinicians.
    Make sure the benefits and risks are fully explained to you in a patient consultation. Plastic surgeons use the consultation process to educate patients about the proposed procedure. Every procedure has inherent risks and benefits; the hallmark of informed consent is the understanding of risks and benefits, and realistic expectations.
    Fully disclose any medical conditions you might have, and medications you are taking including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. This information will help your clinician select the most effective procedure for you, with the fewest side-effects.
    Any injectable should be administered in an appropriate setting using sterile instruments. A non-physician who is licensed and trained may perform the injections under the supervision of a qualified surgeon or dermatologist. Malls and homes are not appropriate environments and may be unsanitary.
    Know what you are being injected with. Disturbing reports of patients being injected with everything from liquid silicone to baby oil and other unapproved products are appearing in the press on a regular basis. Make sure your clinician is using only FDA-approved products purchased within the United States. If he or she refuses to give you this information, seek someone else.
Plastic surgery

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