Liposuction Risks and Safety

Liposuction

bra and underwearAccording to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) figures, liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US today. Less invasive surgical techniques and heat-based technologies have made the procedure safer than ever before. However, some risks will be associated with liposuction, just like any other surgery.
To begin with, the patient should choose a fully trained and qualified surgeon to minimize their risks of liposuction. They should also be prepared to adhere to the surgeon’s pre- and post-surgical instructions to achieve safe results. Board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) provide liposuction to patients in Houston, TX and other cities and communities in this part of the nation.

Potential Complications

Complications in liposuction cosmetic surgery are rare, provided the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon. But a dedicated surgeon will still apprise the patient of potential complications, which include:

  • Infection occurring at the time of surgery or during recovery
  • Adverse reaction to anesthesia or allergy to lidocaine
  • Blood clotting
  • Collection of fluid below the skin
  • Excessive blood and fluid loss during the surgery
  • Extended or permanent loss of sensation in the incision site
  • Delayed healing
  • Changes in pigmentation
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Damage to healthy tissue or nerves around the incision areas
  • Damage to other organs

Severe Complications

In extremely rare cases, a patient may suffer from severe complications following liposuction. These may include cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia, internal blood clotting, excessive bleeding, seizures, permanent nerve damage, brain damage from anesthesia, or acute drug interactions.
A well-trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon will carefully choose the candidate in order to avoid the possibility of such extreme complications. At the same time, they will follow the latest safety protocols for predictable results. The ACPS surgeons receive patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for liposuction surgery.

Excessive Fat Removal

If excessive amount of fat tissue is removed in a single day, it will put the patient at a higher risk. The surgeon should ideally not remove more than 10 pounds of fat from a major area for body contouring. Larger amounts of fat removal in one or more areas will increase the risk of complications.
Excessive liposuction can also create undesirable aesthetic outcomes, such as dents, lumps and sagging skin in the treated sites. If the patient needs major fat reduction, the surgeon should perform liposuction in phases, with each phase spaced sufficient apart for the sake of patient safety.

Risk Mitigation

The patients should make full disclosure about their underlying health problems, past health records, current drugs and supplements, history of smoking and drinking, and other issues of concern. This will allow the surgeon to make a judicious decision about the patient’s fitness and risk profile for liposuction.
The patient’s body weight should be stable and should range within 25 pounds of their ideal weight. Surgeons may adopt advanced techniques, including tumescent liposuction, lasers, ultrasound and RF, to make the procedure more precise and less invasive.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery(ACPS)physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.