Liposuction Surgery: Safety and Risks
Liposuction cosmetic surgery has emerged as a popular procedure for several reasons, and one of them is its high safety record. Innovative surgical techniques and new technologies have increased the safety profile of liposuction. Tumescent liposuction is the most common technique adopted by cosmetic surgeons today, which avoids the need for general anesthesia altogether. Laser and ultrasound technologies are also combined with traditional liposuction plastic surgery sometimes to achieve more effective outcomes with less invasive surgery. Dr. Bryson Richards is a dedicated plastic surgeon providing liposuction and other procedures to patients in and around Las Vegas. During the initial consultation, he will discuss all the potential risks and complications of liposuction to help the patient make an informed choice.
Common Risks and Complications
Despite a high safety record, liposuction cosmetic surgery will still involve some common risks that are typically associated with any surgical procedure. These risks include the following: Anesthesia Risks In some cases, the cosmetic surgeon may decide to perform the procedure using general anesthesia, which involves inherent risks. However, this risk can be minimized if the procedure is performed on the right candidate who is fit enough to undergo the surgery with general anesthesia. Secondly, a skilled and experienced anesthesiologist will be able to perform the procedure with minimal risk.
Bleeding and Infection
Risks If the patient suffers from a certain medical condition, which may aggravate the risk of bleeding during liposuction, the plastic surgeon should not consider such a candidate for surgery. Infection risks are inherent to any surgical procedure, but the surgeon can minimize them by taking complete precautions. Dr. Richards performs liposuction in a completely sterile environment to keep the risk of infection to a negligible level for his patients in Las Vegas.
Numbness and Altered Skin Sensation
Temporary numbness and minor changes in the skin sensation in the treated area are common which will resolve on their own with time. However, in some cases, the alterations in skin sensation may persist. This may also happen if the surgeon performs a more aggressive procedure to achieve the desired aesthetic goals.
Risk of Damage to Deeper Structures
Liposuction is usually a highly safe procedure, as long as the surgeon adopts a conservative approach to fat reduction. However, if the procedure is performed by a lesser experienced surgeon, or an aggressive surgical approach is adopted, it may result in damage to deeper structures such as muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lungs, and abdominal organs.
Persistent Bruising or Swelling
In most cases, the bruising and swelling will subside on its. Swelling may take several months to subside complete. However, if the patient is prone to poor wound healing, or due to some other causes, the bruising or swelling may persist for a longer period.
Aesthetic Risks
The risk of asymmetry or irregular contours will exist, particularly if the treatment plan does not take into account the appearance of other body parts. Sometimes irregular pigmentation may occur following the liposuction procedure, which can create aesthetic concerns for the patient. Rippling or worsening of cellulite may also occur in a few patients.
If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070