Weight Loss with Liposuction Surgery? Look Out the Complications First

Liposuction is currently among the most common cosmetic procedures done in America. It is a surgical procedure for removal of fat by suction from the face, arms, hips, flanks, thighs, buttocks and abdomen. It is a body contouring procedure with significant risks. It is not an alternative to diet or exercise for weight loss. The amount of fat removed is generally limited to ten pounds. The more removed, the higher the risk. Men have fat removed from the flank and stomach areas while women have thigh and abdomen sites worked on most often.

One must be young and in good health to have the procedure. Diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease, infection or bleeding tendencies (abnormal bleeding profile or due to drugs) are contra-indications to the procedure. Elderly patients are eliminated from consideration due to health problems and the fact that they have skin that is less elastic than young people. Other techniques can be considered for them. Smoking should be discontinued for several months before surgery, especially if a general anesthetic is being considered.

Either a general anesthetic or a local infusion of drugs into the surgical site with intravenous sedation can be performed depending on amount of fat to be removed and personal preferences of the patient and doctor. The procedure may be done as an outpatient or as an in-patient. It will be determined by the amount of surgery done, patient condition, and anesthetic type. Local anesthetics like lidocaine with a vasoconstrictor (epinephrine) are combined and infused into the tissue with saline. The saline separates the fat and muscle and allows the fat to be suctioned out. The local provides pain relief and the epinephrine decreases bleeding. Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia provides more pain relief and sedation (or unconsciousness if a general). Up to ten pounds of fat can be removed in total and up to five liters of saline volume removed. Larger amounts lead to higher complications.

Depending on the amount of liposuction performed, patients can return to activities within a few days to weeks. Bleeding, bruising, pain, and swelling may occur post-operatively in different degrees. Some may need to wear a compression bandage as well.

Significant complications beyond those cited above can occur and include infection and death. When patients are properly monitored during surgery and afterwards, problems should be minimal. Complications are for the most part rare and are related to possible allergic reactions to drugs, lidocaine toxicity due to receiving too much drug, infections, rare emboli, organ damage by the canola or burns from electrical equipment used in surgery.