Liposuction: Knowing the Risks

During liposuction, fat deposits are removed from under your skin with a cannula, which is a hollow tube connected to a vacuum, and some type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure. Your doctor will evaluate your physical condition during your initial consultation to see if you meet the criteria for surgery and if you are a good surgical candidate. Here are some of the risks associated with liposuction.

The most dangerous complications that may occur during and following surgery are those of infection and blood clots, as these can be life-threatening situations. If you have poor circulation, you are at especially increased risk for developing a blood clot, which could be fatal if it travels to your lungs or brain. Hypothermia is another possible complication you need to be aware of, as this indicates a severe drop in your body temperature, which can cause major damage to your organs. It should be noted, however, that these complications could occur with any surgery. Your plastic surgeon has undergone extensive training, though, so he should be aware of the risks and dangers involved with liposuction surgery, especially if he is board certified.

It is important that you listen closely to your doctor's preoperative instructions to ensure a good surgical outcome. Since he obtained your medical history and did a complete physical examination at your preoperative consultation, his directions are specific to your situation. If you are a smoker, you should quit, at least temporarily, since smoking can interfere with the healing process. Some medications can cause increased bleeding, such as aspirin, so your physician may advise you to stop taking them prior to the operation. Because these possible complications can be devastating to your health, it is imperative that you be as honest and accurate as you can when discussing your medical history with your physician.

After the operation, you will have pain, swelling, and bruising, although these complaints are to be expected following any major surgical procedure. If you have excessive compression applied after an abdominal liposuction, your breathing can be impaired due to limited lung expansion, so high compression postoperative garments that do not expand should be avoided. If too much fat is removed, the remaining tissue will be hard to the touch and unnatural in appearance. The amount of pain you experience following the operation will be dependent on your pain tolerance. Although narcotic medication should be avoided if possible, it will most likely be available to you if absolutely necessary. Your surgeon will also give you postoperative restrictions with regard to your activity level, such as diet, showering, driving, and work. Make sure you follow these directions as closely as possible, as your body will heal faster if you do not exert yourself needlessly.

Many patients are choosing to get surgery in order to deal with excess body fat, and although the results can be stunning, there are drawbacks and risks to having liposuction done. Since your health may be at risk, it is important to educate yourself as to the dangers.