While liposuction is a cosmetic procedure performed to slim and reshape common trouble spots, it still requires surgery, incisions, anesthesia, and downtime. In light of these factors, most patients want to know: Is liposuction safe?
Continue reading to learn more about lipo safety, including possible risks during and after surgery.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate stubborn fat pockets and sculpt targeted areas of the body.
It can be performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia with IV sedation, or tumescent anesthesia and may utilize various technologies including laser and ultrasound energy.
Is Liposuction Safe?
When considering an invasive procedure like lipo, health and safety are at the top of most patient’s minds. As such, they commonly ask: Is liposuction safe?
Liposuction is a relatively safe procedure, but carries considerably more risk than a noninvasive body contouring treatment like CoolSculpting or CoolTone.
That said, it is important for women and men to be fully aware of all possible risks before undergoing lipo.
Lipo Risks
Due to its surgical nature, lipo can cause complications during as well as after surgery.
Intraoperative Risks
Liposuction risks during surgery include:
- Anesthesia complications
- Puncturing or damaging internal organs
- Burns to the skin caused by laser or ultrasound probes
- Nerve damage
- Shock
- Death
Postoperative Risks
Patients can also experience serious complications and side effects after surgery, including:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Hematoma (bleeding under the skin)
- Seroma (collection of fluid under the skin)
- Skin infections
- Tissue necrosis
- Excess fluid in the lungs
- Fat embolism
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart and kidney problems
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia and other medications
- Death
In addition, there’s no guarantee that you will be happy with the final outcomes and may experience:
- Contour irregularities
- Wavy, dimpled, or bumpy skin
- Uneven results
- Scars
- Changes in skin color
Learn More About Noninvasive Fat Removal
If you are interested in learning more about CoolSculpting, a safe, effective, and nonsurgical alternative to liposuction, please contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive CoolSculpting consultation with one of our highly skilled and talented providers.
