Lipo 360/BBL risks - should I be worried about necrosis, blood clots, fibrosis, oil cysts, abscesses?

Question

I would really like to get a lipo 360/bbl but am nervous about risks (necrosis, blood clots, fibrosis, lipo burn, oil cyst, abscess). I also had sleep apnea as a kid & I'm not sure if that would affect the surgery in any way. I plan on going to a board certified plastic surgeon only who has performed over 5k bbls. Are these risks high even when going to a board certified PS?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Keeetz, thank you for your question. Before deciding to have any surgery, it's critical to understand that there are risks associated with all surgical procedures.  The risks you listed—necrosis, blood clots, fibrosis, lipoburn, oil cysts, and abscesses—can occur during Lipo 360/BBL procedures, but the overall risk varies depending on the surgeon's experience, the patient's general health, and how closely post-operative care instructions are followed. Complications are substantially less likely if you select a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive BBL experience.  Best wishes!Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science”  Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Keeetz,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Brian Bassiri-Tehrani, MD · Answer

Excellent question. All procedures have risk, even in the best of hands. It is important to go to a plastic surgeon with adequate experience to lower these risks. It is important to follow instructions before and after surgery to help keep these risks low. 
Some of the risks include contour irregularities and areas of residual fat and skin if the liposuction is not done evenly. Burns leading to skin necrosis can happen if there any type of energy device will be used in conjunction to liposuction - but this is not always necessary. If too much fat is transferred to the buttocks, there is a higher risk of cysts, abscess or fat necrosis which can result in irregularities, pain, lumps and bumps and sometimes drainage. More serious risks include blood clots after surgery which can be potentially fatal. One of the most important things to do after surgery to prevent blood clots is to walk around after surgery.
Having sleep apnea does not directly impact your surgery, however having other risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking history, taking hormones (oral contraceptive pills), and obesity can all increase your chances of having a complication after surgery. It is important to have an honest discussion with your plastic surgeon about your medical history and your desired goals and needs from surgery.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There is no doubt that BBL surgery carries risks you manetioned; however, in the hands of an experiencd, board certified plastic surgeon, these risks are reduced based on good preoperative evaluation, appropriate surgical technique (including fat grafting controled with ultrasound) and follow up protocol after surgery. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question dear Keeetz. 
Any type of surgery has their own risks not only plastic surgeries, but also is important to know if you go to a board certified plastic surgeon this type of risk can be minimal, as a doctor we let them know the complications can happened but we try as much as possible the patient has a successful surgery.   As you have a sleep apnea I will first recommend to look for doctor who has perform this surgery on patient with this medical condition. And before I go I will also tell you something that I tell to my patients If you come to have surgery with many negative thoughts, it is better that you do not have any procedure, you must prepare yourself mentally for the entire process, not only for any type of complication you may have (minor or major) also for postoperative care.

Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Summit medical complications are strictly random and happen, despite providers having sufficient experience. Overall, both Liposuction and fat transfer are considered fairly safe and straightforward procedures. Historically the BBL was considered a high risk procedure because of the incidence of fat embolism‘s. Plastic surgeons issued warning, and safety guidelines. There is no current accurate statistical incidence of this complication from the procedure, but it appears that the risk has decreased substantially from plastic surgeons, taking appropriate risk reducing measures when it comes to appropriate technique. 
In the hands of a sufficiently talented provider, the risk of having serious medical complications should be relatively low. It’s far more likely that patients experience disappointment with Aesthetic outcomes rather than having serious medical complications. 
I suggest patients start the process by having multiple in person, consultations with local, board-certified plastic surgeons who have proven track record with the procedure. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up your portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients, who had similar body characteristics to your own. And experience plastic surgeon should’ve known difficulties showing you before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. Having a history of doing 5000 BBS is a rarity among plastic surgeons. Mastery of the procedure definitely requires doing a substantial number of surgeries but this and it’s self is not sufficient to guarantee someone has mastered the procedure. it’s very possible to do the same thing poorly again and again.
Variation in interpretation of what is considered, attractive and appropriate when it comes to this procedure. There is also a substantial variation in individual varies the potential outcome for the procedure equally as much as the choice of provider.
Individuals who are great candidates would be both a good candidate for Liposuction and for the transfer. A patient who is an excellent candidate has the potential for having an excellent result if they find us officially talented an experienced provider. A patient who is not a good candidate does not have the potential for having an excellent outcome, regardless of who they choose as their provider.
Understanding of the procedure is best done by having multiple in person consultations. I recommend avoiding virtual consultations whenever possible. I also recommend avoiding traveling long distances for elective surgical procedures.Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

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