Liposuction Risks You Should Be Aware Of
One of the most popular surgeries performed every year is that of liposuction. This type of cosmetic surgery takes fat out of the body and this explains the reason for its popularity. It can be used to improve the look of a persons face, thighs, legs, waist – just about anywhere on their body, really, liposuction can make them look slimmer.
Cosmetic surgery carries inherent risks, just as all surgeries do. Liposuction treatments are no different. There are risks associated inside and outside the body, and even a small risk of death from surgical problems. Let’s go through these risks and examine them.
As is the case with any surgery – whether it be done for life saving purposes or for cosmetic purposes only – there are risks involved. All surgeries need a way to access the inside of the body. For liposuction treatments, this involves creating incisions to insert the cannula. These incisions can become infected. The cannula can damage internal organs and body tissue if the doctor makes mistakes moving it around the inside of the body. Ruptured blood vessels can release body fat into the blood, which then increasing the risk of blood clots. These physical risks are no fun but in some ways, they don’t compare to the emotional trauma one could experience if the risks of skin problems become real.
Obviously, anyone sizing up liposuction is seeking to improve their physical appearance. The irony though is that one of the risks is damage to the skin. It’s possible for the area where fat was removed to just not look right after the surgery. Sometimes unnatural looking folds and dimples appear in the skin that was treated. There are also tiny scars often left by the incision initially created to enter into the body. (They are usually hidden by natural folds in the skin, as done purposely by the doctor.) Other physical risks include permanent numbness or other sensation alteration to the treated area, including swelling.
Finally, the biggest risk of them all is the most shocking. Yes, some people actually die from complications related to liposuction treatments. This is not something that’s likely to happen – you’re far more likely to die in a car wreck on the way to the liposuction treatment center – but it is something to keep in mind. Estimates vary wildly, with some claiming up to 3 deaths per 100,000 people to others speculating it’s upwards of 100 deaths per 100,000 people.
To a large extent, all risks are mitigated against the skill, experience, and knowledge of the doctor, along with the overall health of the patient and to what extent they are willing to follow their after-care instructions. Infections, blood clots, numbness, swelling, the risk of death – all these should be taken into consideration when making the decision to have cosmetic surgery performed. The intention of this article is not to deter would-be patients from receiving treatments, it’s just to inform individuals of the risks that they should ask their doctor about. When going in for an appointment, don’t be shy asking the staff about these risks and make sure you make your decision – be it yes or no – with the confidence of having armed yourself with the facts beforehand.