Liposuction Surgery Risks And Safety

There is some degree of risk involved in any plastic surgery procedure. It is prudent for patients to learn about the different liposuction techniques, and discuss their needs and choices with their surgeon. 

A thorough understanding of the liposuction procedure and dedication in following the surgeon’s care instructions can help minimize any potential risks and side effects associated with liposuction surgery. 

Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides liposuction body contouring to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and surrounding locations.

Potential Liposuction Risks

On rare occasions, complications may occur with any plastic surgery procedure, including liposuction. Liposuction is associated with the following risks:

Infection Prolonged recovery period Allergic reactions to medicines or anesthesia Fat or blood clots: These clots can travel to the lungs and lead to death Excessive fluid loss: Loss of fluids can cause the patient to go into shock, causing death in some cases Fluid accumulation: This fluid will have to be removed Scarring Numb skin Changes in skin pigmentation Injury to the skin or nerves Injury to vital organs

Serious Liposuction Complications

Serious complications rarely occur with liposuction surgery. But the patient must consider these rare complications prior to deciding to proceed with liposuction surgery. Certain complications that may occur from this procedure are:

Cardiac arrhythmia Cardiac arrest Internal blood clots Excessive bleeding Brain damage due to anesthesia Allergic reaction to drugs Serious medication interactions Permanent nerve damage Seizures

Risks of Excessive Liposuction

The removal of excessive amounts of fat from the treated areas in a single session and immoderate liposuction undertaken in one session itself is a common risk associated with liposuction. Excessive liposuction can cause various issues, such as loose skin, lumps, and dents.

If the liposuction plastic surgery procedures are spaced a few days apart for patients seeking large amounts of fat removal, anesthesia overexposure, and side effect risks can be reduced.

Minimizing Risks

To minimize their risks for serious complications, patients should share their entire medical history with their surgeon as well as disclose any prescription and non-prescription medications that they are currently taking. The surgeon will require this information to ensure that the patient is a suitable liposuction candidate. 

The patient should follow the surgeon’s pre and post-surgical guidelines to improve the liposuction surgery outcomes and minimize their risks in this procedure. In case the patient smokes, the surgeon will ask them to discontinue smoking at least two weeks before and after the liposuction.

Patients who are unsuitable candidates for liposuction or those who prefer other techniques can benefit from one of the many non-surgical fat loss options available to them.

Temporary Side Effects

Liposuction surgery does cause other common side effects other than the risks detailed earlier. These side effects usually resolve within a few weeks after the surgical procedure. 

Inflammation

Liposuction will cause a certain degree of swelling, and the extent of the inflammation will depend on the technique used. The patient should inform their surgeon about any changes in the level of inflammation after liposuction at the time of their follow-up appointments. 

Plastic surgeons at VIPS receive patients from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and nearby areas for liposuction body sculpting.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

Serving Richmond, VA, Fredricksburg, Williamsburg, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington and surrounding communities.