What are the Dangers and Risks of Liposuction?

Liposuction is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure today. it was originally used for correcting minor irregularities of body shape due to fat deposits; now-a-days, thanks to improvements in techniques, there is recontouring of large, sometimes multiple areas of the body. Occasional reports that highlight its dangers led the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to direct their Committee on Patient Safety to make recommendations about possible risks associated with the procedure. The FDA has also published useful information on the procedure.

Anesthesia represents one aspect of the dangers of liposuction. The procedure may be done in hospital, in a free-standing ambulatory surgical center, or a physician's office. While the latter may offer more convenience, there is slightly greater danger of a serious adverse incident. The rules that govern the administration of anesthetics are more likely to be followed if the procedure is done in a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center.

In recent years, t he so-called 'dry' method has now been replaced by 'wet' methods, which reduce the risk of excessive blood loss. In 'wet' liposuction, fluids are injected into the fat before the fat and fluid are sucked out. Care must be taken in the addition of agents -such as a local anesthetic or epinephrine, to limit bleeding - to the infiltration solution used in 'wet' liposuction.

Removal of volumes over 5000 mL (1.3 gallons) are considered large, and should only be undertaken in an acute-care hospital or an appropriately accredited center. The postoperative care for such patients is very important, as profound metabolic changes can occur. Fluid management is vital to avoid one of the commonest dangers of liposuction - fluid overload. Although large amounts can be removed, equally large volumes are used in the infiltration process, and as much as 50-70% is usually left behind.

Obese patients are at an increased risk of the dangers of liposuction. Poor wound healing, infection, deep venous thrombosis (a clot in a leg vein), and sleep apnea are all more likely in the obese.

And remember: while liposuction can benefit the appearance of overweight people, it does not, as a rule, improve the well-known medical complications of obesity. To make sure that this is the case, prospective patients should select physicians who have had full surgical training, and have completed an accredited residency or fellowship that covers liposuction techniques. Preferably they should have had considerable experience in the procedure. Equally important is the selection of the facility where the surgery will be done.