The risks of liposuction are not limited to surgery and recovery. Surgical liposuction risks are only a fraction of the types of potential problems that could arise from the procedure. The possibility of a severe problem depends on the scale of the procedure and that includes the dosage of anesthesia required. Lower dosages, such as local anesthesia for small treatments are much less risky than general anesthesia where the patient is sedated.
Anesthesia Risks
The most common risks related to anesthesia include cardiac arrhythmia and even brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen to the brain. Epinephrine will cause the heart rate to increase and patients must avoid caffeine or anything that could further increase heart rate before the surgery. The administration of anesthesia is always risky business which is why a patient should take advantage of any opportunity where a procedure can be scaled down to only require local anesthesia.
Besides the risk of being administered the wrong dosage, there are other complications that can arise following an allergic reaction to the drug. A person can be allergic to certain ingredients and the results can be unpredictable and dangerous. Patients are encourages to notify the plastic surgeon of any known allergies. Most patients are required to go through a pre-operation medical examination but specific allergies can still be missed.
Liposuction Specific Risks
There are non-lethal but permanent risks of liposuction such as scars from incisions that did not properly heal or areas where the wrong amount of fat is removed. Undesired results following a procedure are always a risk with any cosmetic enhancement treatment. This is why a board certified plastic surgeon with a long history of good results is important. It is also a good idea to closely follow post surgical care instructions provided by the physician to ensure the body recovers properly.
Skin irregularities are the result of removing too much fat from one area. This leaves certain areas with too little fat over the muscles so dimples and grooves appear in the skin. Additional treatment might be able to minimize the appearance of skin irregularities but this will cost more money and results are not always guaranteed.
There are also risks associated specifically to the technique that will be used. For example, laser liposuction risks include burning of the skin if the laser is left over one area for too long. While this is rare, it can happen if the plastic surgeon is careless and not paying enough attention.
Minimizing Liposuction Risks
Many of these liposuction risks can be and are avoided in clinics where the plastic surgeon is experienced and has a safety first mentality. As long as great care is taken by both the patient and surgeon to do things the right way, the greatest concerns are common liposuction side effects which are usually temporary and minor inconveniences rather than life-threatening risks and complications.