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