What are the risks from an overly aggressive liposuction procedure?

Thank you for your question. Common temporary side effects include swelling, bruising, discomfort, irregularities, lumpiness, and wound healing. Depending on if it is under general anesthesia, more side effects can occur. Most lipo is now done in the office under local anesthesia which reduces side effects considerably.  Be certain to be under the supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in body contouring for the best and safest results.  I hope this helps.

Liposuction, like everything else, can be overdone.  The experienced plastic surgeon is aggressive but not too aggressive.  Patients want the maximum improvement (I am frequently told just before surgery, "Don't hold back, doc") but they don't want complications or unnecessary postoperative pain either.  Taking out too much fat leaves contour depressions that are difficult to correct later (by fat injection) and are best prevented.

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 certified Plastic surgeon Hoffman Estates BarringtonOakbrook Chicago

    Aggressive liposuction when done well produces the best results.  Liposuction amounts should be kept to under 5 liters in the outpatient setting.  Contour irregularities may be an issue as well.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

I personally do not advocate aggressive liposuction which in my experience is any volume >5 liters in one setting. it can cause serious fliud shifts and can cause problems with recovery as well as final result. not sure why you are asking but this is a good question for your doctor

  High volume liposuction (greater than 5 liters) should only be done in an accredited hospital setting by an experienced plastic surgeon with an experienced anesthesia team and you should spend the night in the hospital. There are fluid shifts that can occur and monitoring of vital signs and urine output is necessary.

  If by "overly aggressive", you mean, too much liposuction in one area, then the main risk is contour abnormalities. You may not have a smooth appearance to the skin and it might look rippled or lumpy. The thighs are an area that is very sensitive to "overly aggressive" liposuction and caution should be used here.

  Always seek an experienced plastic surgeon when considering any type of liposuction.  Good luck!

"Overly aggressive liposuction" can be interpreted in a few ways; doing high volume liposuction in an outpatient setting or removing too much fat and fluid from a single area.  The former can be life threatening.  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends not doing more than five liters of liposuction at single sitting as an outpatient.  The fld shifts associated with large/ mega volume liposuction are best monitored in an in-patient setting in a hospital facility, rather than by sending the patient home shortly after the procedure.  The latter can cause significant contour irregularity/depressions or indentations which can be difficult to correct.  You should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is well versed in liposuction if you are considering this procedure to discuss your concerns.

I can think of two different meanings of "overly aggressive" liposuction.  The first would be removing greater then 5 liters in the outpatient setting.  This can be a dangerous situation and not reccommended.  The second situation would involve liposuction in a single area.  Overly aggressive liposuction in an area increases the risk of contour irregularities and abnormal appearance.  common areas of where lack of restraint can cause problems is the inner and outer thighs.  Hope this helps.

Overagressive liposuction can cause contour irregularities.  This is usually very hard to treat.  Other complications would be similar to standard liposuction techniques.

When an overly aggressive liposuction procedure is performed, there are risks involved with too much fat removal.  On a large scale, there can be dangerous fluid shifts that may cause electrolyte imbalances.  When liposuction is overdone in a particular area, there may be contour defects, skin discoloration, or skin adherence to the underlying fascia tissue.  Best to stay safe with fat removal and end up with a modest result than to have the procedure overdone and need corrective surgery.