Liposuction Complications

Liposuction is a surgical procedure, chiefly cosmetic, which entails removal of fat from different areas on an individual's body. Most often, the areas where liposuction is done are abdomen., buttocks, thighs, back of the arms or even the neck. However, this is not easy as it seems to be, even though it is a very common procedure. I mean don't we read everyday about some actress go for this cosmetic surgery? Nevertheless, the point is beauty does not come without a price. Yes, I am talking about liposuction complications, which are quite considerable.

Complications of Liposuction

Allergy and Infection
The most common and plausible complication and side effect of liposuction is developing an allergic reaction to medicines and other substances used for the surgery. Further, there is always a possibility that whenever any incision or puncture is done on the body, it works as an invitation to infection. That is because, the bacteria and other infection causing agents get an easy entry into the body. These punctures and incisions of course depend on the procedure of the surgery.

Skin Damage
As the surgery involves working at deeper levels of fat, with an objective of avoiding bruising and wounding the skin, a certain amount of skin damage cannot be ruled out. The cannula, used for the surgery can in some cases damage the tissues lying underneath the skin. This may appear as spotting on the skin.

Skin Irregularities
After the surgery, it may happen that the skin appears bumpy and withered or either. The reason being uneven fat removal or even poor skin elasticity. This is more so a case with elder patients. A touch up procedure post liposuction may sort out this problem. One of the risks associated with liposuction is dead skin. In medical terms, it is called necrosis. Here the skin falls off or sheds in the area which is necrotic. Extended wound care is then normally required to deal with a wound as a result of this.

Internal Organ Puncture
The surgeon cannot see the cannula, which makes it a probability that the cannula may not reach where it is intended to. Instead, it damages an internal organ. For example, intestines, in case of an abdominal liposuction. But in most cases, this can be dealt with surgically again and is fatal in rare cases. If the surgeon is experienced, then there are hardly any chances that this amongst liposuction complications will happen.

Burns
This complication is a result of ultrasound assisted liposuction. The burns are caused by heat emanating from the ultrasound device, causing injury to the skin.

Lidocaine Toxicity
This can happen when the procedure is super wet or tumescent for liposuction. What happens is that a lot of saline fluid may be injected. Or it can happen that fluid injected would be containing more than normal concentration of lidocaine. This gives rise to lidocaine toxicity where initially the person experiences numbness and tingling and finally seizures leading to unconsciousness and cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Imbalance of Fluid
Even though the surgeons take care that the fluid sucked out as a result of removing the fats is compensated for, the liposuction complications related to fluid imbalance cannot be sidelined. Body's fluid balance can be disturbed, which can be really dangerous if too much fluid is retained in the vital organs.

In addition to this, temporary swelling, pain, limited mobility, numbness and a few more are the after effects of liposuction. In some cases, dangers of liposuction may even involve death, but it is a very extreme and rare consequence.

At the end of the day, it is always better to know about liposuction complications if you are planning to go for it, right? Take Care!