Can your lungs be punctured during lipo?

Hi there and thanks for your question/concern.  There is always the possibility of perforation of an internal organ (lung, intestine) during liposuction, however this is extremely rare especially if done with an experienced/board certified surgeon.  I suggest seeing a surgeon for an in-person consultation for more information.  

Injury to internal organs is a known (albeit rare) complication of liposuction. Liposuction involves the passing of a cannula into the subcutaneous space (blindly) for the removal of fat. It is a relatively safe procedure. While it is possible to inadvertently pierce vital organs, this would require a failure on multiple levels. A practitioner would need to have a lapse in focus or a poor understanding of anatomy in order to puncture a lung.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Hello,
Thank you for your question.There
is a very low probability of having such a complication. Using
non shape-edged
cannula reduces this probability.
Best Regards.
Bora
Ok, MD - Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

Hi.  That would be extremely uncommon and unusual, but yes, it could happen.  That is a great question, though, that highlights the importance of selecting a surgeon with very good training and experience in this type of surgery.  There is actually a lot that could go wrong if the surgeon is careless or only has marginal or poor training with anatomy and surgical technique.  Liposuction is a procedure that can be performed quite safely with nice results when done properly and with good patient selection.  I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon with good experience performing liposuction.  Good luck and take care,Dr. Howell

No, this is unlikely to occur during liposuction, but with any type of surgery, complications can occur. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. For best results with liposuction, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF/J Plasma/Renuvion/InMode BodyTite and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result.  Best, Dr. Emer

MsNuNew2018.   Unfortunately, anything is possible. It would be extremely rare and unusual, but there are reports of perforation of bowel or intestines during liposuction and theoretically pneumothorax or perforation of the cavity holding the lungs can occur. It is for this reason that you should consult only with a board-certified plastic surgeon for this or any other cosmetic operation because training for this specialty is much more extensive and superior. Best of luck.

Of course anything is possible. An incompetent surgeon can puncture your lungs or your heart or other vital organs with a liposuction cannula.  However, in experienced hands it is not something to worry about.   Keep in mind that there are many non-plastic surgeons who do these procedures. This includes dermatologist, ENT doctors, dermatologist, and many others.  Make sure that your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. No other credentials are valid, no matter how fancy the website.  Best wishes.

Wow.  Strong question.  But, Yes.  You could possibly puncture a lung during liposuction if you were not careful.  I have never seen it, but it is a VERY rare complication.  It is like asking if a plane has ever crashed prior to booking a flight.Do your homework, read reviews, interview surgeons, ask difficult questions then settle on the one you feel most comfortable with.Best of luck with your search,Dr T

Unfortunately, yes it  has occurred. Be certain that the physician performing the liposuction is a board certified PLASTIC SURGEON.  There are many untrained, unqualified physicians who  claim to perform cosmetic procedures who are dangerous. Ask the surgeon where the procedure is performed and is he/she qualified to perform the same procedure in a hospital or certified outpatient surgery center. There are many "cosmetic clinics" in the metro Washington area in which liposuction of the body is being performed by internists, ophthalmologists, emergency room physicians, ear/nose/throat physicians, gynecologists. All of these physicians perform the liposuction in their offices since they are not allowed/qualified to perform the lipo in a hospital or surgery center. Do your  homework prior to selecting your surgeon 

This would be exceedingly rare, but anything is possible if the surgeon is not a cautious, well trained, board certified plastic surgeon. There are reports of lung puncture, bowel injury, and others, but there are always potential risks with anything that you do in life. The key is to minimize those risks (and weigh them against the benefits) by going to a well trained, board certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic surgery.