What Are Potential Liposuction Side Effects?

Liposuction is a relatively safe operation that has major benefits. Like most procedures, there is a risk of scarring, bleeding, swelling, infection, and contour irregularities.  See the link below for details.

The most common side effect after liposuction is an irregular contour to the skin. There can be uneven areas with some minor depressions or bumps if the suctioning is performed too close to the surface of the skin or if the patient's skin has poor elasticity or stretch marks. The chances of having a small area of irregular contour is about 10%, but this varies depending upon skin tone and surgeon technique. Sometimes this can be corrected by performing a fat transfer to "fill in" a small depressed area. However, if an area has significant irregularity, it may not be correctable.
Other less common side effects include, temporary numbness, asymmetry, poor scarring or prolonged bruising.
Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to planning any liposuction procedure.