Cosmetic Surgery>>Trunk & Limbs >> Liposuction

 

 

CICATRIX * OPTIMA                 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364               WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6          TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971

Possible Complications

Scarring: Thickened or unattractive scars at the site of the small incisions used to introduce the suction cannula. Sun exposure of a new scar should be avoided for the first year following your operation. An immature scar exposed to sun may become more visible and pigmented.

Despite meticulous technique and attentive post operative management, a small percentage of patients will develop some unsightly scarring. The scars may widen over a period of several weeks or months or possibly exhibit a true hypertrophy (red, raised, itchy, and painful). These scars can be treated by a variety of methods including local pressure, massage, cortisone injections, topical creams, and surgical revision. Rarely, hypertrophic scars are permanent and will not respond to treatment.

This operation requires the use of external compression and the tape and dressings used to do this may cause blistering of the skin.

 

Fluid collection (seroma): This is a collection of serum in small pockets beneath the skin. Generally, the seroma spontaneously resorbs. Occasionally, needle aspiration is necessary.

 

Haematoma, bleeding under the liposuctioned area: You should expect a small amount of bleeding from your incision line during the first 24 to 36 hours after your surgery.

Any type of surgery may result in excessive bleeding in the operated area. This may be due to a temporary increase in blood pressure, for example due to coughing. It can also occur from the effects of medication like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. Bleeding is usually manifested by acute swelling of the area, discolouring of the skin, pain and a feeling of tension. External compression of the wound usually stops it. In rare cases, if it continues, we may have to stop it after reopening the incision. Massive bleeding may require hospitalization and transfusion.

If the accumulation of blood is small, it may be allowed to absorb by itself or aspiration may be indicated as with a seroma. However, if it is large, formal drainage in an operating room may be necessary

 

Skin pigmentation

 

Irregularity of contour of the area treated (ripples, divots)

 

Persistent swelling (edema)

 

Bruising, discolouration

 

Wrinkling or sagging of the skin

 

Numbness in the area treated

 

Skin loss in the area treated (necrosis)

 

Blistering of the skin caused by compression garments or post operative taping.

 

Thrombosis - clotting of blood in the veins of the legs: This may lead to pulmonary embolism (blockage of veins in the lungs due to blood clots traveling from the legs or pelvis)

 

Infection: Infection following liposuction is rare. The incidence is less than 1% and severe infections are extremely uncommon. However, any surgical wound can become infected. An infection usually will become apparent a few days after the surgery. The signs are: pain, redness, heat and swelling. Antibiotics and dressing changes will often control it. On rare occasions, hospitalization and formal drainage in the operating room may be needed to control more significant infections.

You will be given a prophylactic antibiotic when undergoing your liposuction. In addition you will be sent home with a prescription for antibiotics for 4-5 days.

 

Blood clots in the legs (venous thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism): These complications, though rare, are among the most serious from this type of surgery. Conditions predisposing a patient to these complications would include obesity, smoking, and a history of cardiac and pulmonary disease or blood clotting disorders, length of surgery and prolonged post operative immobility.

 

Rare: Fat embolism - clots of fat potentially traveling to the brain, lung and heart.

 

 

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