Lipo Gone Wrong and How to Avoid It

Bad liposuction surgery is easy to pick out. Just pick up any tabloid and you’ll see several celebrities suffering from all of the signs—dimpling, visible scarring, and asymmetry of the skin. How can you avoid these dangers? While there are no guarantees, a little bit of research, a skilled surgeon, and common sense can increase your odds of avoiding these surgical pitfalls.

Asymmetry
Nobody is perfectly symmetrical. In fact, people would probably look quite strange if they were. That being said, one of the goals of lipo is to even out the target area as smoothly as possible while keeping a natural balance. If you’re having the inside of your thighs done, for example, both should be roughly equal in size and contour once the body has healed. You can’t expect perfect symmetry after having lipo, and you may have to undergo a touchup as everyone’s body heals differently, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately gauge the amount of fat that needs to be removed from each area. However, a qualified and experienced surgeon will ensure that you are reasonably satisfied with the results and that a realistic level of symmetry has been achieved.

Dimpling
Many people undergo lipo to help rid themselves of the appearance of dimpling and lumpiness, only to find that after the surgery it has increased. While aesthetic issues are a risk regardless of a surgeon’s skill or experience, one of the main reasons for these issues is removing too much fat or using poor lip techniques. The tissues below the skin’s surface can become damaged, leaving the rough, uneven textures or sagging skin. In many cases, it’s better to be conservative to help minimize risks.

Visible Scarring
Scarring is an unavoidable cost of any invasive surgery. Some individuals are fortunate enough to heal with minimal scarring, while on others it is more noticeable. There are now more lipo techniques than ever before and many new incision methods that help reduce the amount of potential scarring. The best surgeons are also skilled at camouflaging incisions within the natural contours of the body. Research available options in order to find which incision method would be more suitable for you and your aesthetic goals.

Infection
Aesthetic issues should be the least of your concerns when undergoing a surgical procedure. An infection following lipo can lead to many serious problems that might send you to the hospital if you’re not careful. Signs of an infection include fever, chills, and bleeding. If treated early, infections may be able to be stopped before more serious problems develop, which is why it is important to contact a doctor immediately. If left untreated, infections can cause skin necrosis and in rare cases even death.

Puncture
Although exceedingly rare, there have been a few cases of vital organs being punctured by the lipo cannula during surgery. If an organ is damaged, there could be serious complications. This of course is only a concern when liposuction is being performed in the abdominal area.