What are the Major Risks and Complications Associated with Liposuction?

Liposuction is an elective cosmetic procedure with many significant risks like other surgeries. Not everyone is an eligible candidate for it. It’s not a substitute for weight loss. Thus, for it, you essentially have to make sure you meet a board–certified plastic surgeon or skin specialist. You should therefore discuss all the complications and risks beforehand.

Risks involved in Liposuction

Liposuction is serious surgery primarily meant for removing extra body fat. However, it involves many risks. Therefore, you should consult all the risks of liposuction with your skin specialist before going for this procedure.

A)    Risks during surgery

• Nerve damage
• Shock
• Sudden death
• Anesthesia complications
• Burns from equipment like ultrasound probes
• Injuries to other organs or puncture wounds

B)    Risks immediately after the procedure from an unprofessional dermatologist

• Reactions to anesthesia and other medications
• Heart and kidney problems
• Death
• Edema (swelling)
• The death of various skin cells
• Infections
• Hematoma (bleeding under the skin)
• Seroma (fluid leaking under the skin)
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Too much fluid in the lungs
• Fat clots

C)    Risks during the recovery period

• Changes in skin sensation and feeling
• Skin color changes
• Problems with healing
• Infections
• Fluid imbalances
• Scars
• Problems with the contours or overall shape of the body
• Wavy, dimpled, or bumpy skin
• Numbness
• Bruising
• Pain
• Swelling
• Soreness, and many more

Significant Liposuction Complications

As with many other surgeries, a few complications and risks are significantly associated with liposuction. These may include a simple reaction to severe bleeding etc. Some most common complications specific to liposuction, primarily if conducted by an unskilled dermatologist, typically include the following:

1.      Contour irregularities

Your skin may appear wavy, withered, or bumpy due to the uneven removal of fat. Poor skin elasticity and unusual healing may also occur. The thin tube (cannula) that most skin specialists utilize in liposuction may cause damage to the skin and give a spotted appearance. That skin change may be permanent.

2.      Fluid accumulation

Temporary pockets of fluid can form and occur under the skin. With the help of needles, this fluid may need to be drained.

3.      Numbness

The affected area may feel temporary or permanent numbness right after the surgery. In addition, temporary nerve irritation may also happen.

4.      Infection

Sometimes a person may suffer from a severe skin infection, but that is usually rare. However, immediately consult a reliable skin specialist in case of any infection.

5.      Internal puncture

A cannula may puncture an internal organ when it penetrates too profoundly, and this may need emergency surgical repair.

6.      Fat embolism

It is a medical emergency case. In such a situation, pieces of loosened fat may break away. These broken pieces are then trapped in a blood vessel from where they may travel to the brain or lungs.

7.      Kidney and heart problems

When fluids are being injected or suctioned out inappropriately by a dermatologist, this can cause potentially life-threatening kidney, lungs, and heart problems.

8.      Lidocaine toxicity

It is typically an anesthetic substance injected during liposuction to help manage the pain caused by the surgery. Mostly it is safe, but in very rare conditions, lidocaine toxicity can occur, which can later cause severe heart and central nervous system problems.

Takeaway

All these risks significantly increase if the dermatologist performing this surgery on large surfaces of your body is unskilled. Additionally, when surgeons are doing multiple procedures during the same operation, the risk of such complications dramatically increases. So, always consult your skin specialist before taking any step.