All plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures come with risks and potential complications. To ensure successful surgery, it is crucial to understand and minimise these risks. Whilst all measures are taken to mitigate risks, some risks are unavoidable.
All information on this page is general in nature – your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications pertinent to your individual surgical procedure during your consultation. General risks for surgery are listed here.
Specific risks related to liposuction surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Thermal burn or heat injury: Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses ultrasound waves to break up fat cells. However, if the ultrasound device is not used properly, it can cause thermal burns or heat injury to the skin or deeper tissues.
- Complications from the injection of anaesthetic fluid: Tumescent and super-wet liposuction use large amounts of anaesthetic fluid to numb the area being treated. However, if too much fluid is injected, it can lead to complications such as fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can be life-threatening.
- Excessive fluid loss: Liposuction can cause significant fluid loss. If too much fluid is lost, it can lead to shock, which is a life-threatening condition.
- Delayed healing: Liposuction can cause bruising, swelling, and pain. These side effects are usually temporary, but they may take several weeks to resolve. In some cases, healing may be delayed and may require further treatment.
- Friction burns or damage to the skin or nerves: The cannula, which is the thin tube used to remove fat, can cause friction burns or damage to the skin or nerves. This can lead to scarring, numbness, or other problems.
- Irregular skin surface, uneven contours, or rippling: If too much fat is removed, or if the skin is not elastic enough, it can lead to irregular skin surface, uneven contours, or rippling. This can be a permanent problem.
- Asymmetric or “baggy” skin surface: If the skin is not properly tightened during liposuction, it can lead to asymmetric or “baggy” skin surface. This can be a permanent problem.
- Damage to deeper structures like nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs: Liposuction can damage deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs. This can lead to serious complications, such as nerve damage, bleeding, infection, and death.
- Persistent or ongoing pain: Liposuction can cause persistent or ongoing pain. This pain may be due to a number of factors, including infection, nerve damage, or scarring.
- Persistent swelling in the legs: Liposuction can cause persistent swelling in the legs. This swelling is usually temporary, but it may be permanent in some cases.