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Liposuction is a major surgical procedure. As
with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Tumescent liposuction has
made the liposuction procedure safer. The following represent a list of the
possible complications of liposuction:
EXPECTED
 | Bruising.
Many persons will get some bruising after liposuction.
For most, bruising is mild and occasionally moderate in severity. Bruising
typically lasts days to weeks. Some studies suggest that leaving the entry
sites (holes through which the fat is removed using liposuction cannulas) open
to drain will result in less bruising. Of course, this may result in a more
visible scar. Additionally, recent studies have shown that power liposuction
may result in less bruising for the first few days following liposuction,
although there has been no difference in final result. |
| Numbness.
Many people will have some numbness in the treated areas
that may last several months. Rarely, numbness can be long lasting or
permanent. This may occur with damage to a nerve. Numbness may be more common
with internal ultrasonic liposuction. |
| Discomfort. Most patients
will have some degree of discomfort after liposuction. This is usually mild
and well-controlled using prescription pain medication. Rarely, the discomfort
can last one week or longer. |
UNCOMMON
| Fluid Collections beneath the
skin (seroma). Occasionally fluid may collect
beneath the skin following liposuction. It has been theorized that may
occur more frequently when larger diameter cannulas are used. These
collections may require drainage using a needle and syringe, which is usually
painless. |
| Skin Breakdown.
Areas of skin can open and become weepy after
liposuction. Some believe that this is more likely with ultrasonic liposuction
or superficial tumescent liposuction. This is not common, and rarely heals
with scarring. |
| Swelling.
As saltwater is used with tumescent liposuction,
swelling can occur after the procedure. This does not occur commonly, and is
most common in the legs. If the mons (pubic area and area just above this) is
treated in women, there may be swelling of the labia (lips of the vagina) that
can be pronounced. |
RARE
| Infection.
Following tumescent liposuction, infection is
exceedingly rare. It is unknown exactly why, but some surgeons have theorized
that the ruptured fat cells that are left behind following tumescent
liposuction results in inflammation that makes it difficult for bacteria to
grow. Others have theorized that the tumescent fluid used in tumescent
anesthesia has antibacterial properties that inhibit infection. Whether or not
either of these is true has not been proven. Despite this, most patients
receive antibiotics before or during the liposuction procedure, that further
reduces the risk of infection. Nevertheless, as with any surgical procedure it
is possible to get an infection that could result in the need for
hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and major surgery. This is
exceedingly rare! |
| Bleeding.
With tumescent liposuction, bleeding is rarely a
problem. Perforation of blood vessels or irritation of muscle is possible,
although rare, that results in bleeding. These complications may be more
common with ultrasonic liposuction, power liposuction, and the use of small
diameter cannulas (2-3 mm). Bleeding may result in the need for
hospitalization, blood transfusions, and surgery. |
| Scarring.
This rarely occurs after liposuction, but has been
reported. Typically scarring may result if there is skin breakdown. Patients
who are prone to keloid formation may develop keloids in the treated areas,
although this is uncommon. Small scars will develop at the entry sites and are
usually small (<1/4 inch). |
| Perforation of an internal organ.
This is rare, although has occurred. Typically this
occurs due to inexperience of the surgeon. Use of a smaller diameter cannula,
ultrasonic liposuction, or power liposuction may increase the risk of this
complication. |
| Death.
There have been several deaths reported with liposuction. Most of these deaths
have occurred when excessive amounts of fat have been removed, large amounts
of tumescent fluid have been used, liposuction was performed with other
procedures (i.e. tummy tuck, facelift, breast augmentation), and due to
surgeon error (i.e. perforation of an internal organ. In general, tumescent
liposuction is an extremely safe procedure when performed on an appropriate
patient, when a reasonable amount of fat is removed, when it is not combined
with multiple procedures, and when performed by a surgeon who is experienced. |
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