What is liposuction and what are the different types?
Liposuction is a way to quickly and effectively remove stubborn fat from certain hard to treat areas. There are many different types of liposuction like tumescent which involves an area of your body to be numbed with a mix of saline and anaesthetic solution. Next, a cannula is used to remove the fat. Our surgeons prefer to use PAL lipo. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is another technique which uses ultrasound to liquefy the fat making it easier to remove however using a level of radiation is frowned upon by some users. Laser-assisted liposuction uses energy waves to again liquefy the fat which is then suctioned out; people also prefer not to use this because of the heat. Liposuction risks are something anyone who is considering liposuction should keep in mind.
Liposuction risks
With any surgery, there are risks and possible complications but there will be ways to avoid this. Your surgeon should always warn you of the risks prior to the surgery. Specifically, any they may think will affect you.
Common liposuction risks/side effects
- Bruising – bruising is common and completely normal after liposuction. This is because it is your body just underwent a procedure which involves removing a lot of fat in a short amount of time. If you bruise easily the bruises will be worse, they will go away after a couple of days.
- Swelling – swelling is expected and good after liposuction as it is showing how your body is in the healing process. It may also be swollen because excess fluid from the procedure will still be in there. Our surgeons recommend wearing your compression garment constantly for at least six weeks. This will help the swelling to go down as well as drain any excess fluid. The swelling should completely be gone within six months.
- Saggy skin – this is a temporary issue as your skin needs to contract after all of the fat loss. You could wait to see if it does it naturally but wearing a compression garment will speed up this process and help it heal
Uncommon liposuction risks/complications
- Thrombophlebitis – this is when a blood clot forms in a vein causing the vein to swell. If the area treated is not looked after properly and drained fully this may occur.
- Contour Irregularities -This is when a patient has very poor skin elasticity and it heals in a weird way the skin will look wavy or bumpy. Also, some bumps will form or be left under the skin. To resolve this you should go back to your surgeon for revision surgery.
- Numbness – it is very rare but for some people, the area may be numb for a little while after the procedure which indicates nerve damage. Your body and its nerves should heal themselves over time.
- Infections -infections are very rare. If the area is not treated with care during and after the procedure there is a risk of infection. This is why it is important to follow your surgeon’s aftercare guidelines and clean it thoroughly.
- Skin Burns – skin burns occur during types of heated liposuction techniques such as laser liposuction. This is a result of your surgeon not taking the proper care and attention to the areas being treated. This is why Centre for Surgery does not use heated liposuction techniques.
To avoid all liposuction risks and complications you need to find a qualified and great surgeon as well as complying with and following all of the instructions the surgeon leaves you with for the aftercare.
