Liposuction: Side Effects And Complications Eeveryone Should Know About Before Going Ahead

Generally, liposuction is a safe surgery but like any other invasive procedure, it can have complications and side effects. The risk of the side effects increases if a large volume of fat is removed or more than one area is treated.

Common Side Effects Of Liposuction

Common side effects of liposuction are usually minor and can be managed easily, but may sometimes lead to discomfort or pain. It should be noted here not every patient will experience the same side effects, and neither will side effects be equally severe for everyone. 

Here’s what you can expect:

• Temporary bruising or swelling around the treated areas. It usually subsides after some time.
• Pain in the area where the fat has been removed. This is also temporary and can be tackled with over the counter pain medications.
• Numbness in the area can also be seen. It is also temporary.
• Incision sites may show some degree of scarring. Scars usually fade in a few weeks but it may vary in different individuals. Scar sites may have itching and irritation.
• The skin is usually tightened during the procedure (abdominoplasty) but in some people it may become loose or baggy after some time.
• Nerves and skin over the treated area can be damaged during the procedure, which can lead to sensory changes or pain.
• Limitation of mobility is usually due to the compression garments. Swelling or pain can also limit the movement of the person temporarily.
• Contour irregularities like bumps or lumpiness can happen as a result of excessive removal of fat from an area.
• There is a risk of infection in the area, especially if the antibiotics are not taken properly.
• Discoloration of the skin on site of scars can become permanent.
• Post-operative weight gain is a common side effect. After the procedure, some people start gaining weight and the fat starts to accumulate in the same places where it was before. This may lead to further disfigurement. Proper weight control (diet and exercise) is essential after the operation. 

Possible Complications Of Liposuction

As with every surgical procedure, liposuction carries certain risks, and complications that may occur during or after the procedure. These complications are rare and don’t happen in everyone, so don’t be alarmed. If performed by a skilled surgeon, the surgery may even go without a single complication.

The possible complications include:

• An allergic reaction to any of the medications used during the surgery, for example anesthesia or analgesics. You should tell the doctor beforehand if you are allergic to any drug.
• Seroma is the accumulation of liquefied fat which gets entrapped beneath the subcutaneous tissue. Large seromas may need aspiration and drainage to avoid infection.
• Toxicity of the local anesthetic lidocaine can occur, especially if large areas are treated.
• Excessive damage to the skin or tissues beneath the skin due to a sharp instrument, laser or ultrasound. Skin necrosis may occur if there is loss of blood supply to the skin.
• Perforation or puncture of any internal organ of the body. This is usually due to a faulty technique or an unexperienced surgeon.

READ After Liposuction, the Fat will Return and Redistribute in the Upper Abdomen, Shoulders and Triceps

Some minor side effects are almost always present and the patient should be informed about all of them before the surgery. However, the marketing that’s going on now days makes it difficult for the patient to differentiate truth from exaggeration.