Possible complications with
liposuction include:
Skin. Changes in pigmentation,
decreased sensation, dimpling, lumpiness, and scarring
may occur after liposuction. While the scars from liposuction
are small and strategically placed, the final appearance
may be slightly imperfect. The surface of the skin may
be irregular. If the skin was not resilient to begin
with, a “baggy” appearance is also a possibility,
particularly with older patients. Follow-up surgery
may be recommended to correct these problems.
The heat which is used to liquefy fat cells can cause
injury to the skin or other deeper tissues. Also the
long-term effects of ultrasound energy are not yet known.
UAL can also cause friction burns to the skin and internal
organs can be injured.
Lidocaine toxicity.
Lidocaine toxicity can occur if the injected fluid contains
too much lidocaine, or fluid can collect in the lungs
if too much fluid is injected.
Infection. Although
rare, infections may occur.
Clotting. Very rarely,
this type of surgery can result in the formation of
a fat clot or blood clot resulting in a pulmonary embolism.
