Facelift

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure designed to address sagging skin, deeper wrinkles, and other signs of ageing by tightening the skin and underlying facial muscles. This surgery aims to restore a smoother, more youthful appearance, making it a popular choice for individuals seeking long-lasting rejuvenation. The procedure is often associated with moderate to high levels of discomfort, particularly during the recovery period.

Patients typically experience swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness across the face. Discomfort is often concentrated around incision sites, which are usually placed near the ears and along the hairline. According to Westlake Dermatology, pain levels for facelifts are commonly rated between four and six on a 10-point scale, reflecting the invasive nature of the procedure and the body’s natural healing response.

Recovery can take several weeks, during which time patients may notice a gradual reduction in swelling and bruising. Some residual tightness or numbness in the skin may persist for a few months as tissues settle into their new positions. Pain management typically includes prescribed medications and adherence to aftercare instructions, which are crucial for reducing discomfort and preventing complications. If you've experienced negligent facelift surgery, you can make a claim for compensation.

Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck surgery, flattens the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscle. Broadly speaking, there are two types of abdominoplasty, with different work involved for each. Regional anaesthesia is injected at the surgical site to block pain during the operation. Pain medication is often prescribed to manage post-operative pain and discomfort. If you have had a tummy tuck that has gone wrong, our solicitors can help you. Read more about making a tummy tuck claim here.

Partial abdominoplasty

This involves:

• Making a large cut across the lower abdomen
• Separating the skin from the abdominal wall below the belly button
• Removing excess fat and skin
• Pulling together the remaining skin and stitching it in place

Patients typically experience moderate pain levels after the procedure, and prescribed pain medications are used to alleviate post-operative discomfort and promote faster healing.

Full abdominoplasty

This involves:

• Making a large incision across the lower abdomen, from hip to hip
• Making a second incision to free the belly button from the tissue that surrounds it
• Separating the skin from the abdominal wall
• Realigning the abdominal muscles
• Removing excess fat and skin
• Cutting a new hole for the belly button and stitching this back in place
• Pulling together the remaining skin and stitching it in place

According to the NHS, it should take around six weeks to fully recover from the procedure. However, that recovery can be challenging and extremely painful.

Patients will need to wear a special type of corset to protect the affected area for around six weeks, during which time many people are unable to stand up straight. In addition, side effects often include bruising, swelling, raised scars and numbness.

According to AEDIT, many plastic surgeons would rate a tummy tuck a 4-6 out of 10 in terms of pain.

Speaking to Women’s Health about her painful experience recovering from an abdominoplasty, Erin S. said: “I could not roll over, sit up or grab anything further than a few inches away. I needed help standing, getting repositioned in bed, basically everything.”

Full abdominoplasty can be accompanied by significant pain and discomfort, which can last for several days and is considered by many, the most painful plastic surgery that can be endured.

Tumescent liposuction

This procedure is different from other popular forms of liposuction, such as laser and waterjet liposuction, in that suction tubes are required to be inserted into the appropriate part of the body and connected to a vacuum machine.

The level of pain experienced during a liposuction procedure, if all is well, is said to be moderate, but increases significantly the more fat is removed - particularly if it is taken from different parts of the body at the same time.

Full recovery typically takes around two weeks but requires the patient to wear a support corset or compression bandages. Post-procedure pain can impact the recovery process, making it essential for patients to follow aftercare instructions closely.

However, bruising, lumpiness, numbness and discolouration of the skin are all common side effects that can last up to six months after liposuction. Prescription pain medication is often used to manage post-surgery pain, although some patients may only need alternatives like Extra Strength Tylenol.

AEDIT rates the procedure between 3-6 out of 10 on its pain scale.

If you’ve had liposuction surgery, that has gone wrong, our team of solicitors may be able to help, read more about making a liposuction compensation claim here

Breast surgery

Breast enlargement or augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure among women in the UK, with 7,745 operations taking place in 2018, according to the most recent BAAPS annual audit.

The procedure involves:

• Making an incision in the skin next to or below the breast
• Positioning the implant either between your breast tissue and chest muscle, or behind your chest muscle
• Stitching the incision

Breast augmentation can be considered a painful surgery, with significant pain and discomfort. It typically takes around six weeks to be able to resume your normal activities. However, side effects and complications can sometimes include nerve problems in the nipples, ruptured implants, damaged breast tissue, and infection.

Speaking on Reddit, one user described her experience recovering from breast augmentation:

“My incisions for the implants are in the crease below my breast so I have sharp pain there - particularly when I lift my arms too high or stretch at a weird angle. Then, I have overall pressure and throbbing pain over the entire breast because of the muscle and skin stretching/tightness. It sort of feels like pins and needles over the entire area and if you’ve ever been engorged due to breastfeeding, it feels a lot like that but way more painful. I can’t feel the implants themselves but just a lot of pressure/tightness.

“It has been five days of ups and downs in terms of pain. The first day was easy as I was still on the medication that I was given in the operating room but days two and three were really hard. I definitely have moments where I feel the pain more intensely than at other times. It ranges from mild discomfort to extremely painful.”

AEDIT rates the pain of a breast augmentation procedure as between 3 and 5 out of 10.

The truth is that finding a definitive answer to the question ‘which cosmetic surgery procedure is the most painful?’ is not at all easy and will differ from person to person, operation to operation. However, it is clear that the procedures in this list are certainly some of the most painful, with extremely challenging recovery periods. Plastic surgery pain varies among patients, and methods to reduce discomfort during recovery include prescribed medications and following the recovery plan.

If you’ve had a breast augmentation surgery that has gone, then our solicitors can help you, learn more about making a breast augmentation claim here.