What are the risks of liposuction?

Thank you for your question. Liposuction risks/complications include:Bleeding/bruisingAltered skin sensationDamage to deeper structures (such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs)Deep venous thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complicationsFluid accumulation (seroma)InfectionBlood clotsContour irregularitiesUnfavorable/suboptimal scarringPoor wound healingIrregular pigmentationPersistent postoperative painPersistent swellingPossible need for revision surgeryThermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound using the ultrasound-assisted liposuction techniqueHope this helps.

As with any procedure of this magnitude, Hi-Definition Liposuction has potential risks and complications to be aware of, including:
BruisingBlood buildup (hematoma) with risk of infectionFluid buildup (seroma) with risk of infectionWorsening celluliteLoose-hanging skinSkin burns or discolorationSkin scarringIrregularitiesUnanticipated results that do not meet patient expectationsThe most effective means of reducing risk are (a) selecting an experienced, fellowship-trained, board-certified medical professional to perform the procedure and (b) determining if you are in fact a good candidate for Hi-Definition Liposuction. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a body contouring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

There are standard and rarer risks.  The commoner risks are cosmetic imperfections: too much or too little fat removed, uneven fat removal, depressions or contour deformities requiring further surgery or fat grafting.
The surgeon chosen to do the procedure has by far the greatest influence on not having such problems than the type of liposuction used.  All kinds of liposuction give good results in skilled hands.
Less common risks are decreased by using good judgment: not trying to remove too much fat volume at the same time or under local anesthesia. Doing the right operation in the right setting, e.g., the office operating room under local or an accredited surgery center operating room or office OR equipped for general anesthesia.
Rarer risks include perforation of a body cavity, fluid overload and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and postoperative low blood pressure or shock from excess volume removal and inadequate fluid volume replacement.
I suggest you have your procedure done by a board-certified plastic surgeon,  as they are the specialty that is trained in all aspects of the spectrum of care of a liposuction patient, both cosmetic and residency-trained care of the surgical patient.

Thank you for your question.  In the experienced hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction is extremely safe.   That said, proper precautions and consideration of potential complications must be taken.  The most common complication is likely contour irregularities or skin laxity.  These can be prevented with proper technique and patient selection.  Infection and bleeding risks are quite low, again with proper technique and the sterile setting of an accredited operating room.  More serious problems, involving fluid overload (and resultant heart or lung issues) can be avoided by limiting the amount of liposuction performed in a single, outpatient session to less than 5 liters - and by obtaining appropriate pre-op medical evaluation of all candidates.

Thank you for your question. Fortunately, significant complications from liposuction surgery are infrequent. Liposuction surgery is one of the two most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Most often this surgery is performed without experiencing any major problem.The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis with you when you visit us during your consultation and your preoperative appointment. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks. Other risks more specific to liposuction may include indentations and irregularities.You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions we provide, both before and after your liposuction surgery. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

Liposuction, when performed by a skilled and experienced provider such as a board certified plastic surgeon, is extremely safe and good outcomes are the norm.  While there are various forms of liposuction that use technology to make the procedure more effective, none are considered safer than others.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

Liposuction is an excellent
method for treating localized fat collections.The procedure significantly improves contour and is associated with high
satisfaction rates.In addition, the
procedure is considered safe and has low complication rates. The
majority of liposuction complications are related to inadequate aesthetic
results.These include contour
irregularities, dimpling of the skin, skin sag and asymmetry.In addition, infection, bleeding, scarring,
hematoma formation, injury to the deeper structures and aesthetic complications
may also be associated with this procedure. The
majority of these complications resolve with time, and in most cases can be
treated with additional revisional liposuction.Ultimately, the vast majority of patients are satisfied with their
results following this procedure.

Risks of traditional liposuction include over-resection or under-resection of tissue resulting in grooving or bumpiness to the skin, seromas, lidocaine toxicity, and permanent skin injury. Liposuction techniques using ultrasound or laser energy can result in thermal skin injuries and abnormal subcutaneous scarring. I would say that any type of liposuction performed by physicians or non-physicians that are not properly trained are more likely to result in complications. 

Liposuction risks have been greatly reduced by having undergone the procedure under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia.  The advent of tumescent technique local with the micro canulas have revolutionized the procedure and resulted in amazing results and almost no blood loss at all but there are some risks still present. Dimpling and burning holes in the skin with permanent discolorations are more common with the laser liposuctions and should be avoided since it was more gimmicky and not worth the increased risks and problems and that is why  it is cheaper now. Shock and death from pulmonary emboli was seen more commonly with gen. anesth but still can occur.  Infections are possible but if done by a qualified surgeon such as a derm surgeon in an accredited facility you greatly reduce those risks.  Contour irregularities can occur but since we are able to stand patients up and put them in all sorts of positions during the procedure since they are totally awake, this allows for much more fine tuning and assure the patient of the smoothest results possible.  Numbness or unusual sensations occur for the 1st 3 months but may be permanent but is rare.  Overall it is a great procedure with amazing results.  Enjoy the new you!  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Modern liposuction surgery one of the safest surgical procedures, if done by a well trained, experienced and thorough surgeon.  To achieve this safety the surgeon needs to adhere to a number of guidelines, such as impeccable technique that causes minimal blood loss and minimal tissue trauma, proper fluid management, proper monitoring and use of proper surgical facilities.  Some of the complications of liposuction (other then sub-par aesthetic result) are fat embolism, fluid overload, infection, etc.  In a well ran practice these complications are extremely rare.

Unfortunately there are a few instances of well publicized complications during liposuction.  Typically this involved surgeons with less than adequate training using improper surgical setting and having poor judgment.  It is imperative that the surgeon performing this procedure has lots of experience and a great track record.  In addition do not compromise and insist that this procedure is done in a proper surgical setting.