A Norwegian scientific study reveals that one in eight people suffer from chronic pain after having cosmetic surgery.
- One in eight people suffer from chronic pain after cosmetic surgery, according to a new study.
- Men are five times more likely to be affected by post-operative pain than women.
- For scientists, it is essential to inform patients of the risks incurred during cosmetic surgery.
Complex, lack of self-confidence, erasing the passage of time or the traces of an illness… the reasons for resorting to cosmetic surgery are multiple. However, even if they are becoming more and more popular, these operations are far from trivial. A Norwegian study points out that they can cause long-term complications.
The research, published in the journal Scandinavian Journal of Pain on March 7, 2024, determined that one in eight people who have undergone plastic surgery suffer from chronic postoperative pain.
Cosmetic surgery: pain that lasts more than 3 months
The team, led by researcher Silje Endresen Reme from the University of Oslo, asked 1,746 Norwegians whether they had had cosmetic surgery, whether they had experienced complications such as chronic post-operative pain or if they were on pain medication. 10% of respondents admitted to having undergone operations to improve their appearance. Among them, one in four were aged 18 to 29 and three in four were women.
Another more worrying discovery: one in eight respondents admitted to having felt chronic postoperative pain. That is to say persistent suffering which lasts more than three months. Additionally, this disorder was approximately five times more common in men than in women. “Two-thirds of people experiencing pain were aged 18 to 29, while those in other age groups experienced much less pain. Three in four people who experienced pain sought treatment. This suggests that its effects were debilitating and bothersome.”add the authors in a communicated.
Plastic surgery: complications should be known
In their work, the researchers add that patients who encounter such complications after plastic surgery are more likely to need care from the public health system and experience a reduced quality of life. They are also more likely to be unable to work.
“Given the growing acceptance and popularity of cosmetic surgery, it is essential that patients are well informed about potential complications”recalls Sophia Engel, lead author of the study. “Furthermore, the public needs to be aware of the impact of chronic pain after cosmetic surgery on the health and social care system.”
