Liposuction on saddlebags/outer thighs, are death ratios something to worry about? (Photo)

Hello Reserved578865. Thank you for your question regarding liposuction safety.

Thank you for your history and your pictures. If you have isolated areas of fat, liposuction is an effective surgical procedure to remove fat permanently from the affected area. Like any surgery, liposuction has its associated risks. It is important to understand that liposuction is a real surgery and should not be taken lightly. While there have been reported deaths associated with liposuction, it is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the US, and deaths are statistically exceedingly rare.

In your case, given that you are healthy and only have small pockets of fat, you would be at an extremely low risk of having complications or death after liposuction surgery. Before any surgical procedure is scheduled, preoperative labs, EKG, and chest x-ray are obtained to assess risk factors and ensure your safety.

Overall, I think you would be safe to undergo liposuction of your saddlebags. However, it is always important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can provide you with detailed information and address any concerns you may have.

Good luck. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding liposuction safety.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Liposuction of the saddlebags/legs would be a great choice for you. Safety is always the number one priority in surgery. The first step in your safety starts with you! Begin by researching experienced board certified plastic surgeons near you. Research credentials. Look at before/after photos. Then schedule consultations with those who meet your criteria. Your surgeon should evaluate your medical history and examine you to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. This will include reviewing your medications and if you are a smoker, etc. Ensure that your surgery will be in performed in an accredited facility. And remember to ask lots of questions. After surgery closely follow your post operative instructions and keep your surgeon aware of any concerns. These steps will help keep your risk low while optimizing your results.

Liposuction is one of the safest cosmetic procedures done. I do recommend going to a board-certified plastic surgeon who does lot of procedures and not someone who is not a surgeon but just took a weekend course. You can also do awake liposuction, especially for the outer thighs, and even have less risk.