From the Guidelines
Liposuction surgery can cause several side effects, including temporary and permanent complications, and patients should be aware of these risks before undergoing the procedure. The most common temporary side effects include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, and limited mobility that typically resolve within a few weeks 1. More serious complications, though less common, include infection, blood clots, fluid accumulation (seroma), contour irregularities, skin burns, fluid imbalance, and adverse reactions to anesthesia, such as those associated with the use of lidocaine and epinephrine in tumescent local anesthesia 1.
Some key considerations for minimizing side effects include the use of lidocaine with epinephrine, which has been shown to be safe at a maximum dose of 55 mg/kg for patients weighing 43.6-81.8 kg 1. The addition of epinephrine to lidocaine is recommended and safe for use in tumescent local anesthesia for liposuction, and the use of warm anesthetic solution and a slow infiltration rate can help decrease patient discomfort during administration 1.
It's also important to note that certain medications, such as bupivacaine, are not recommended for use in tumescent local anesthesia for liposuction, and the use of prilocaine is not approved in the United States for this procedure as of the date of the publication 1. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or blood clotting disorders, face higher risks and should discuss these thoroughly with their surgeon before proceeding.
Key points to consider when discussing liposuction surgery side effects with patients include:
- Temporary side effects, such as swelling, bruising, and pain
- More serious complications, such as infection and blood clots
- The importance of proper anesthesia administration, including the use of lidocaine with epinephrine
- The need for patients to discuss their medical history and any potential risks with their surgeon before undergoing the procedure
- The importance of following post-operative instructions, including the use of compression garments and pain management medications, to minimize the risk of complications and promote a smooth recovery.
From the Research
Liposuction Surgeries Side Effects
- Liposuction can result in various side effects, including contour deformity, hyperpigmentation, seroma, hematoma, superficial burn, allergic reaction, skin necrosis, generalized edema, infection, venous thromboembolism, and local anesthesia toxicity 2
- The overall complication rate for liposuction is 2.62% (95% CI, 1.78-3.84), with contour deformity being the most common complication, occurring in 2.35% of cases (95% CI, 1.05%-5.16%) 2
- Other common side effects include hyperpigmentation (1.49%), seroma (0.65%), hematoma (0.27%), and superficial burn (0.25%) 2
- Local anesthesia toxicity is a potential risk, particularly when large volumes of lidocaine are used, with a prevalence of 0.016% (95% CI, 0.0040%-0.064%) 2
- Blood loss can be difficult to assess during liposuction, as it is mixed with the aspirated fat, and careful fluid management and hemodynamic monitoring are necessary to minimize complications 3
- The use of local anesthetics in liposuction requires careful consideration, and guidelines have been proposed to improve patient safety, including restrictions on bupivacaine use and creation of lidocaine concentration guidelines 4