9 main risks of liposuction

Liposuction is a plastic surgery, and like all surgery it also presents some risks, such as bruising, infection and even organ perforation. However, these are very rare complications that generally do not occur when the surgery is performed in a trusted clinic and with an experienced surgeon.

Furthermore, when a small amount of fat is aspirated, the risks are even more reduced, as the chance of complications arising increases when the surgery takes a long time or when a lot of fat is aspirated, such as in the abdominal region, for example.

In any case, to avoid these complications, it is advisable to have liposuction performed by a well-trained and experienced professional, in addition to following all the doctor’s instructions after surgery. See the most important post-operative care for liposuction.

Possible risks

The main risks of liposuction are:

1. Hematomas

Bruises are one of the most common complications of this type of surgery and are characterized by the appearance of purple spots on the skin. Although they are not very aesthetic, bruises are not serious and occur as a natural response of the body to the injuries caused by surgery on fat cells.

In most cases, bruises begin to disappear naturally around 1 week after liposuction, but there are some precautions that help speed up recovery, such as drinking, applying a hot compress, avoiding intense activities and applying an ointment with an anticoagulant effect, like Hirudoid or Arnica ointment, for example. See other precautions to remove bruises.

2. Roman

Seroma consists of the accumulation of fluids under the skin, usually in places where fat was removed. In these cases, it is possible to feel swelling in the region, pain and the release of a clear liquid from the scars.

To avoid this complication, you should use the belt recommended by your doctor after surgery, perform manual lymphatic drainage sessions and avoid performing intense physical activities or picking up objects weighing more than 2 kg, for example.

3. Sagging

This complication is more common in people who remove a large amount of fat, which normally happens in the abdominal region, culottes or thighs, for example. In these situations, the skin, which was very stretched due to the presence of excess fat, becomes more flaccid after liposuction and, therefore, it may be necessary to have another surgery to remove the excess skin.

In milder cases, other less invasive treatments can be used, such as mesotherapy or radiofrequency, to make the skin less flaccid.

4. Change in sensitivity

Although it is rarer, the appearance of tingling in the skin may indicate a change in sensitivity caused by small injuries to the nerves in the aspirated region. These injuries occur due to the passage of the cannula through small, more superficial nerves.

Generally, no specific treatment is necessary, as the body naturally regenerates the nerves, however, there are cases in which tingling can persist for more than 1 year.

5. Infection

Infection is a risk that is present in all types of surgery, since when the skin is cut, there is a new entrance for viruses and bacteria to reach the inside of the body. When this happens, symptoms appear at the scar site, such as swelling, intense redness, pain, a foul smell and even the release of pus.

Furthermore, when the infectious agent manages to spread through the bloodstream, symptoms of sepsis may appear, which corresponds to generalized infection.

However, infections can be avoided in the vast majority of cases, with the use of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor and with adequate care for the scar in the clinic or at a health center.

Another possible complication related to microorganisms is local necrosis, which corresponds to the death of cells in the region due to the production of toxins by the bacteria, in most cases Streptococcus pyogenes. Despite being an infrequent complication, it can happen more easily in cases where liposuction is performed in an environment with inadequate hygiene conditions, which increases the risk of infection related to the procedure.

6. Thrombosis

Thrombosis is a rare liposuction complication and happens when the person remains in bed for many days without taking short walks in the room or at home. This happens because, without body movement, blood has a greater tendency to accumulate in the legs, which facilitates the formation of clots that can clog veins and cause deep vein thrombosis.

Furthermore, as in the first 24 hours after liposuction it is prohibited to get out of bed, the doctor may also prescribe heparin injections, which are a type of anticoagulant that helps reduce the risk of clot formation, even if the person cannot walk. . However, it is advised to walk as soon as possible.

If symptoms of thrombosis appear during recovery, such as swollen, red and painful legs, it is very important to go to the emergency room immediately to begin appropriate treatment and avoid more serious complications, such as death of leg tissues, stroke or heart attack, for example. . Know how to recognize the symptoms of thrombosis.

7. Organ piercing

Perforation is the most serious complication of liposuction and occurs mainly when the surgery is performed in unqualified clinics or by inexperienced professionals. .

However, when this happens, there is a high risk of death, as a serious infection can occur and, therefore, it is necessary to quickly start another surgery to close the punctured area.

Furthermore, organ perforation has a greater risk of occurring in people who have little volume of fat to be removed, so the fat layer is thinner and the procedure ends up being more delicate.

8. Massive blood loss

In some cases, there may be significant blood loss during the procedure, increasing the risk of hypovolemic shock, which is a situation in which, as a result of a large amount of blood and fluids, the heart is unable to pump adequate amounts of blood and oxygen to the body. , which can compromise the functioning of several organs and put the person’s life at risk.

9. Tromboembolia

Thromboembolism, also known as pulmonary thrombosis, is also a risk of liposuction and occurs as a consequence of the formation of a clot that can obstruct a vessel in the lung, preventing the passage of blood and the arrival of oxygen.

As a consequence of this obstruction, lesions can form in the lung, which can cause respiratory complications and increase the risk of lung failure.

Who is most at risk of complications

The greatest risk of complications from liposuction is related to people who have chronic diseases, changes in the blood and/or a weaker immune system. Therefore, before carrying out the surgical procedure, it is important to evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and possible risks of liposuction.

Furthermore, the risk of complications may be higher in people who do not have a lot of fat in the area where the procedure is to be performed. Therefore, before carrying out the procedure, it is important to talk to a qualified plastic surgeon so that a general assessment can be carried out and, thus, reduce the risk of complications.

Therefore, to reduce the risk, it is important that the person does not have diseases that could compromise the result of the surgery, in addition to checking the BMI, evaluating the region to be treated and the amount of fat that wants to be removed. The recommendation of the Federal Council of Medicine is that the amount of fat aspirated should not exceed 5 to 7% of body weight, depending on the technique performed.