"Liposuction...I am Worried"

Look on the internet and you will see that some patients have had significant problems with liposuction historically. This has the tendency to scare the @#&^@(#*& out of people.

Surgery comes with some risk. The key to minimizing this risk is restraint. Don't try to do too much all at one sitting. Don't try to change the focus of the procedure to weight loss. Fat really doesn't weigh that much. Liposuction is a contouring procedure. Many of the well-publicized cases of bad outcomes have as a common thread trying to take too much fat.

Most patients lose little if any weight. You will see this phrase repeated ad nauseum on this site. There is a reason.

Older plastic surgery texts state that blood transfusion is frequently required. Fortunately, the data in these texts is based upon antequated techniques. I have to this date not transfused blood in a single liposuction case. I do not offer liposuction for weight loss. If you are looking for weight loss, look elsewhere. Fat removed during surgery contains about 1-3% blood. My operative plan minimizes bleeding and to date has eliminated the need for blood transfusion.

Of the more terrifying complications of the procedure (none of which have ever been seen in my patients to date - Thank God), we have tissue necrosis, pulmonary embolus, deep venous thrombosis (Deep Vein Clots), hematoma and infection.

Deep Venous Thrombosis is the formation of clot in the deep veins of the legs. These clots can migrate to the lungs and result in a very sick patient. The case in which these lcots travel to the lungs is called Pulmonary Embolus. Limiting the scope of this operation has proven effective in limiting these risks.

The Bottom Line:

Both you and your surgeon should take this operation seriously. Frame your goals in moderation and take reasonable precautions and your risk will be limited.