Complications of Liposuction

Although viewed by many people as a simple and benign procedure, liposuction, especially large volume liposuction, can be associated with significant morbidity and should be performed by appropriately trained plastic surgeons. It is necessary to highlight some that are, in most cases, only temporary and others that require a second operation.

1. 1. Infection: It is uncommon, incidence less than 1%, given that antibiotics are prescribed for the days following surgery. However, should an infection set in, it should be promptly addressed to evaluate the cause which can be localized hematoma or uncontrolled diabetes or improper sterility.
   2. Bruising: Occurs in all patients, peaks by 7-10 days and disappears generally by 2-4 weeks. The severity may vary if the patient is a chronic smoker or on blood thinners.
   3. Hematoma: Sometimes hematomas tend to appear, which can be discretely pigmented. This type of complication occurs more often if the operation takes place during the menstrual period, which is why patients should avoid having liposuction at this particular time.
   4. Irregularities: In spite of modern technology, in skins with stretch mark, cellulites and decreased elasticity, occasionally irregularities may appear. If these are minor, they can be corrected without too much difficulty. When this occurs, small suction retouches or fat grafting may be required.
   5. Oedema: A significant oedema tends to show up after every liposuction as a normal reaction to tissue trauma, but it generally resolves with time and assisted by compression garments and massage. This may take 3-6 months time depending upon area operated and technique used.
   6. Pigmentation: This can set in due to the idiosyncrasy of the patient’s own skin and consist of deposit of a certain amount of iron in the hematomas. To treat this, there are creams that help these pigmentations improve, during which time the patient must avoid sun exposure to these areas.
   7. Paraesthesia/ numbness: is usually temporary and self limiting and occurs because of thermal energy imparted by UAL/VASER.
   8. Skin necrosis: Occurs rarely with the use of UAL due to thermal injury. Avoided if done with absolute care by a trained plastic surgeon. Treatment involves debridement, antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen.
   9. Fat embolism: Rarest of all complications which can occur in the hands of untrained surgeon where fat droplets enter into veins and travel to lungs.
   10. Visceral perforation: Avery rare complication which may occur in the hands of improperly trained, novice surgeon. Patients with scars, rectus diastasis and hernia are more prone for such complication.