Can your ribs get bruised during liposuction?

Question

I had lipo posterior flanks and inner thigh last week. Now when I breathe deep I have a sharp pain in my right lower rib area and at times in my shoulder. I take short breaths breathing deep hurts.....???? So wasn't sure if my ribs are bruised? Other then that I feel great.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

The answer is yes, if the surgeon is aggressive and mistakenly hits the ribs with his cannula.  Typically I keep in a plane above the ribs and am very meticulous so i do not damage or hurt the area.  You should see your physician if you are concerned.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Julie Khanna, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Although bruising can occur with liposuction and sometimes discomfort in areas surrounding liposuction, it would be prudent to contact your surgeon at your earliest convenience to make sure something else isn't going on.  Feeling pain with a deep breath, or feeling like you can't take a deep breath should always be reported and followed up.  Best of Luck!Dr. K.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There could be several reasons you are having pain with deep breathing after liposuction.First and foremost, you need to contact your surgeon as soon as possible.It is possible that the liposuction cannula may have bumped onto your ribs at some point during the procedure.It may also be the tissues above your ribs that are bruised and tender and not the ribs themselves.It is also conceivable that a liposuction cannula could be pushed between the ribs and into the chest or below the ribs and through the diaphragm.Such complications are exceedingly rare but have happened.When they do happen, they can cause a collapsed lung, known as a pneumothorax.Your tenderness and pain with breathing will most likely improve over the next few weeks. However, it is pertinent you contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

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