Liposuction Risks

Although the safety profile of liposuction has been constantly improving since the procedure was first created, it is not without risks. All surgery carries some risk of complications, including the risks of infection and serious bleeding.

Risks that are specific to liposuction include the formation of a type of serious bruise called a hematoma, which is a pocket of clotted or unclotted blood, or a seroma, which is a pocket of clear fluid. Both can harden and can take weeks to subside.

Other risks include complications brought on by the large amount of fluid injected into the tissues. One of the drugs in the solution is lidocaine, and you could have a reaction to the amount being used. Your body may also not react well due to the amount of fluid being injected and then removed.

Tissue that is cut off from its blood supply can die. Small bits of fat may die after a liposuction, but these usually liquefy and then drain out of the body through the incisions. However, if skin or other tissue dies it can become infected and must be removed.

It is possible that the cannula will puncture the skin or an internal organ, but this happens very rarely.

In some cases of liposuction, a bit of blood clot or fat may enter the bloodstream. This is called an embolus and if it lodges in the heart, lungs, or brain, it can cause serious problems, including breathing difficulties, heart attack, stroke, or death.

Most of these serious risks happen rarely. However, it is not uncommon for a person to be left with rippling, lumps, or bumps in the area that was treated. You may need to undergo additional procedures to correct these contour irregularities.

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