Can liposuction cause permanent numbness?

Question

I'm considering getting liposuction and breast fat transfer, but my concern is that I will suffer from large areas of numbness on my abdomen and thighs from the lipo. I previously had breast implants in 2013 (removed in 2017) and my nipple and entire lower portion of the breast is permanently numb on both sides ever since the initial procedure. The area around my c-section scar is also numb, so I'm afraid my body has a tendency to get nerve damage easily.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

permanent numbness I have never seen but its possible if the liposuction is not done properly. in our practice we start a medication right after and NAD+ therapy to prevent nerve issue and speed healing along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There is usually a certain amount of numbness after liposuction, and this does tend to improve over about 6 weeks to 6 months. Sometimes, it improves faster than this. Alot of this depends upon the extensiveness of the liposuction and the size of the area treated. Consult via email or Skype with a board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in liposuction.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns, however permanent sensory loss after liposuction is not a known complication of this procedure. There may be temporary decreased sensation in areas treated, but it is usually minimal. Discuss your concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear KSS8519,
numbness is a possible complication of any surgery, including liposuction. However, with a proper surgical technique that risk is really low. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Liposuction can cause a change in sensation, but the risk of it being permanent is low.  Patients often experience some numbness during early recovery due to swelling but this typically resolves within the first few months.  Make sure that you see a board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.  Discuss your concerns so that you can feel confident and comfortable as. you plan for surgery.

R. K. Mishra, MCh, DNB · Answer

Hi,Thanks for your question. 
Though numbness or permanent loss of sensation is one of the associated risks of liposuction, they are quite Rare and ususllu such things do not if the surgery is performed carefully. However, everone heals differently and each body responds to same procedure in some different way so there is no guarantee that it can never happen with anyone. There are chances of complications with any surgery, not just Lipo.Temporary loss of sensation is a common things after liposuction during initial healing period that returns to normal gradually. And if you choose your surgery carefully, you will not have to face any complications hopefully. All the best!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Numbness can be caused by different variables. From breast augmentation it’s typically not nerves being cut but this depends on the approach and what type of procedure. Instead it’s the pressure on the nerves from the augmentation the typically causes numbness.

When the skin is cut some nerves will be cut and these will regrow to some degree but often some usually fairly small area of numbness is left. A lot has to do with the length and the direction of the scar.  when scars are placed perpendicular to the general direction of nerves larger areas of numbness are obtained.

Lipisuction does not cut nerves. It can however remove the fatty covering of nerves call the myelin sheath which is required for nerve function.  This type of nerve injury(nerve not cut) it’s usually called neurapraxia and is divided into different categories

Most patients experience some changes in skin sensations after liposuction often referred to as numbness, itching, pins and needles and this typically returns to normal within 2 to 3 months.

I’ve never had a patient describe permanent numbness after liposuction and I have done thousands upon thousands of liposuction procedures.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Can liposuction cause permanent numbness?

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