Shah, a Mayo Clinic-trained Board Certified Surgeon and clinical educator in plastic surgery, says that "cosmetic surgery itself actually carries very minimal risk if you put yourself in the hands of a qualified, certified, cosmetic surgery specialist - someone who has trained and devoted their career to the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery...the real risk lies not in the surgery itself, but in the misrepresentation and inexperience of certain surgeons."
The Mayo Clinic website is a little stronger in its statement about risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, any surgery, including cosmetic procedures, always involves certain risks and limitations. To begin with, there is always the risk of dissatisfaction with the outcome of the cosmetic procedure itself. If a patient has a history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease or obesity, there is an increased risk of developing complications such as pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, and blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Both the Mayo Clinic and Shah emphasize that anyone considering cosmetic surgery should do their research even before consulting a surgeon. Shah cautions against choosing a plastic surgeon based on his or her popularity or media presentations. Shah himself has appeared on television programs such as Dr. Phil and Extreme Makeover.