Liposuction The Side Effects and Risks – Important Info for Patients

Liposuction, much like any kind of surgery, cannot be done without any risks or side effects.  Surgery affects each patient differently and side effects can be non-threatening in many cases, but can sometimes pose a serious health risk.

Non-Threatening Complications

Many side effects that can be expected following liposuction, or any kind of cosmetic surgery at our Connecticut office, include bruising, swelling, scars, exhaustion, and numbness.  More specific to liposuction are the risks of sagging or discolored skin, skin necrosis, and a lumpy or uneven appearance.  Swelling is also common in liposuction patients, though it generally decreases between one and three months after the surgery.  Bruising tends to fade more quickly, typically within a few weeks following the liposuction.  All of these side effects should be discussed with a doctor, no matter how insignificant they may seem, because they could possibly become worse or permanent.

Severe Complications

While it is rare to experience severe complications during or following liposuction, the possibility does exist and patients should become aware of the risks.  Allergic reactions to either anesthesia or medications are a very serious matter and can quickly become fatal if not properly treated.  Excessive bleeding, seizures, and nerve damage are also possible risks of liposuction and can result in brain damage or permanent tissue damage that cannot be repaired.

Excessive Liposuction

Removing too much fat from a targeted area can also cause serious side effects and complications.  In addition to having the procedure performed too much in one day, having excessive amounts of fat removed at once can cause lumps, dents, or the sagging of skin.  To avoid these problems, patients should undergo small amounts of liposuction over a period of several days, as approved by a cosmetic surgeon.

Managing Side Effects

The most important step in avoiding complications is to know that they exist.  Certain indications in a patient’s medical or family history may increase their risk to develop some types of complications.  Pain resulting from liposuction is among the most common of side effects and is also one of the most easily treated.  Certain liposuction techniques minimize the strain on the body and over-the-counter pain medications such as Advil and Tylenol are frequently adequate for the treatment of pain resulting from the surgery.

When making the decision to undergo liposuction, patients should be sure to consult their doctor about the proper paths to follow before, during, and after the procedure.  By becoming informed about all aspects of the procedure and the stages of recovery, patients can decrease their risks and can improve their speed of recovery.

The Plastic Surgery Center in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving the Hartford and New Haven area, can provide more information on liposuction as well as abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, and laser hair removal.