Liposuction dangers are there just as dangers lurk for any type of surgery or procedure. Any type of cosmetic procedure carries with it risks and liposuction is no different, although they can be minimized the greatest by going with an alternative to open surgery. It’s possible to minimize those risks and dangers by thoroughly disclosing your medical history, as well as current prescriptions and OTC (over the counter) medications to your surgeon. You should also understand the procedure you’re about to undergo, as well as discuss your expectations and concerns with your doctor. A quality surgeon will be able to minimize all liposuction risks.
Liposuction dangers can include many things, from minor irritations to life threatening risks, but most are exceedingly rare. Some severe risks include fluid loss, blood clotting and a reaction to the anesthesia. More moderate risks include bruising and scarring, as well as skin reactions such as numbness and pigmentation changes. Some other possible issues are as follows:
- Extended time in healing
- Minor to severe infection
- Allergic reaction to medication or anesthesia
- Clots (fat or blood) which can move to the lungs and cause death
- Excessive fluid loss
- Excessive fluid accumulation
- Damage to vital organs
- Damage to skin or nerves
- Friction burns
The most common and severe dangers of liposuction can easily be minimized or even prevented. Almost all of these are associated with having too much liposuction performed in one day. These extended procedures can result in overexposure to anesthesia. It can also include the removal of too much fat, resulting in sagging skin, lumps or dents. Because of these risks, it’s important to have multiple liposuction procedures scheduled over several days.
There are other, more rare dangers associated with liposuction, but these are uncommon and can also be minimized by discussing your medical history with your physician. They can include severe reactions to anesthesia, severe drug interactions, allergic reactions to medication, seizures, heart issues and internal blood clots. All medical procedures carry risks, but by becoming familiar with your personal history, a physician should be able to spot any additional risks specific to your case.
Many of the minor liposuction risks and complications can be reduced by fully understanding the procedure and having realistic expectations regarding its outcome. Good communication between the patient and the doctor is vital and you should make certain that your discussions with your surgeon are frank and candid. It’s also important to understand at the outset whether or not you are a good candidate for liposuction. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is a body sculpting procedure and should be performed on those who have stabilized their weight and have healthy eating and exercising programs established.