Every surgical procedure is associated with specific risks and benefits. Liposuction risks include but are not limited to the following:

Bleeding:

Bleeding from your incisions can occur following surgery. In most cases, this is mild bleeding which will stop with pressure applied to the incision.  Significant bleeding may require a return to the operating room to stop the bleeding vessel and evacuate any blood.

Infection:

Infection following liposuction is very unusual.  Infection is associated with swelling, pain, redness of the skin, fevers or chills, and sometimes drainage from the incision.  An infection may necessitate oral and rarely intravenous antibiotics. You will be given an antibiotic prior to surgery through the intravenous line to help prevent infection.

Pain: 

Local anesthetic is infiltrated beneath the skin prior to beginning liposuction, and therefore most patient report minimal to no pain following liposuction surgery.  A very small number of patients may have permanent pain.

Numbness:

Many patients have numbness at the sites of their liposuction for weeks to months following surgery. In rare cases, some areas may remain completely numb.

Scarring:

You will have small scars following surgery from your liposuction incision sites. Although the scars typically improve with time, they may remain apparent.

Necrosis:

Necrosis, or the death of skin and fat, may occur in smokers, following an infection, or with the use of steroids. This complication, although extremely rare, may require additional surgery.

Blood clots:

Blood clots may form in the legs, or travel to the lungs. This is a potentially fatal complication, and therefore preventive measures, including the use of leg compression devices during surgery, are taken with every patient.

Swelling:

A small number of patients may experience prolonged swelling after surgery.

Contour deformities and irregularities:

In some cases, indentations at the site of the liposuctioned areas may be visible. These may require correction with additional surgery.

Anesthesia risks:

Although general anesthesia and sedation are very safe, all patients are screened for any personal or family history of anesthesia reactions.