Seeing a report that a woman died in Australia from liposuction. News story says "Dr Dieu said the incidence of death from liposuction was about one in 5000 and the risks were discussed with Ms James." Is this true, 1 in 5000 people die from liposuction???
Liposuction is a very safe procedure. A study from the early 90's reported this number but it was based on all volumes of liposuction and multiple procedures as well. If liposuction is done in a controlled setting with less than 5 liters in the appropriate patient, then it is very safe.
Hi!
Nothing is 100% safe. One can get killed crossing the street. But, if 3 requirements are met, liposuction is probably the safest cosmetic surgery operation. The 3 requirements are:
1) experienced plastic surgeon.
2) healthy patient.
3) Not removing more than 5000 cc's (that's about 10 pounds). In our typical patient, we remove 2000 cc's to 3000 cc's. So, very safe.
As all liposuction procedures performed are not reported, the true mortality rate from this procedure is possibly much lower than the early reports.
Pure tumescent liposuction, (large amounts of dilute local anesthetic injected into the fat) with an awake patient (no general anesthesia) and avoidance of doing other surgical procedures at the same time, limiting the amount of fat removed to less than 5 liters, limiting the dose of lidocaine (anesthetic) to 35 - 45 mg/kg of body weight, and ensuring that daily medication consumed by the patient doesn't interact with the local anesthetic are the conditions that provide the greatest safety to our patients.
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