Is there less of a risk of a fat embolism with just Liposuction vs. BBL?

Question

Was scheduled to get a BBl but my Hgb was too low. I am working on getting it higher. Now I am considering just getting lipo sculpture. Is there still a risk of developing a fat emboli with liposuction? Is it much less than having a BBl? If risks are the same I might as well go for what I really want... BBL

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Fat embolism is a very poorly understood phenomenon and is extremely rare.  It can occur with liposuction as well as with other surgical procedures.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

The risk of getting a fat embolism is definitely lower with liposuction alone. However, the risk with liposuction is not negligible. For this reason, I would recommend that you find a surgeon who is experienced with these procedures, in order to minimize these risks.

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

Fat embolism is really a risk of fat injection and it would be extremely rare would liposuction alone. A fat embolism happens when fat gets into the bloodstream and causes inflammation the lungs. Motor vehicle accidents with a femur fracture where fat from the bone marrow gets into the bloodstream is a classic mechanism of fat embolism. So the key when you're doing a fat injection is trying to do things to decrease the chance of fat getting into the bloodstream.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think that for both cases the risk is extremely low.  I do not know if there are statistics available that determine if one has a higher risk than another.

Is there less of a risk of a fat embolism with just Liposuction vs. BBL?

Answers (4)

Answer: Fat embolism and liposuction or BBL

Answer: Fat embolism and liposuction or BBL

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Is there less of a risk of a fat embolism with just Liposuction vs. BBL?

Answers (4)

Answer: Fat embolism and liposuction or BBL

Answer: Fat embolism and liposuction or BBL

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.