How does fat embolism happen from lipo alone?

During liposuction small vessels are damaged. This is where there is opportunity for a fat embolism to occur. The risk however is low because many steps are taken prior to, during, and after surgery to ensure your safety. What you can you do to minimize your risk? Closely follow all instructions by your board certified plastic surgeon. This includes medications to avoid before surgery, early ambulation after surgery, and paying attention to red flags.

Fat embolism after liposuction occurs at a very low rate, far less than 1%. It typically presents as multiple small bruises all over the body indicating a shower of microscopic emboli that enter the venous system. The mechanism is unknown. Although it can be life threatening, it typically does not cause major obstruction of blood flow at the lungs, which leads to cardiopulmonary collapse, as seen in fat grafting into the gluteus muscle.