Can Liposuction Lead to Stomach/gastrointestinal Problems?

   Perforation of intraabdominal contents has been reported with liposuction but that risk is less than 1:1000.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. Get evaluated by your doctor if you're having any GI problems. GI issues as a result of liposuction are not common or known associations.  I hope this helps.

Sometimes patients wonder if liposuction can have any unwanted side effects on their abdominal organs.  They have heard about adhesions or may have suffered adhesions from previous abdominal surgery (sometimes blocking the intestines) and are naturally concerned about this problem.  They may be assured that liposuction treats the fat between the skin and the abdominal wall.  The abdominal cavity is never entered (at least that complication is extremely rare) during liposuction, so there is zero risk of causing problems to the organs or intestines.

Liposuction treats the fat under skin. It does not penetrate the abdominal wall and should have no effect on GI tract or cause stomach issues

 Liposuction should not cause any associated stomach or gastrointestinal problems.  The procedure is external to the abdominal cavity.  However, there are a few instances of abdominal perforation into the abdominal cavity by the canula and damage to the intestine, which should be tended to immediately.

Liposuction is performed in the subcutaneous area and does not reach the stomach or intestines.  Obviously, if an untrained individual tries to perform liposuction, there can be dire consequences but the operation is safe in the hands of an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon.  Narcotic pain medication can cause GI upset but, for liposuction, prescription meds are kept to a minimum.

Liposuction should have no affect on your GI system  One caveat however.  Liposuction like all surgery, is surgery, and has physiological stress.  This along with perhaps some required antibiotics may lead to a temporary disturbance, such as constipation, upset stomach, indigestion, etc.  These should be minor and short lived however.

 

sek

Dear Mandy,

Liposuction does not affect organs inside your abdomen. In its simplest form it will permenantly remove fat cells from above your muscle layer in your abdomen. 

Hi.

Remember, liposuction just removes fat under the skin and over the muscles.  So it does not go near any internal organs.  And getting rid of the excess fat does not affect the GI tract either.