Liposuction Side Effects

Is liposuction safe?

This is one of the most common concerns of those considering liposuction and one of the questions you should ask your Illinois liposuction surgeon before you begin.

In general, liposuction is considered a safe procedure, which is one reason why it is very popular. Like other surgical procedures, it does have risks, though, and there are liposuction side effects for you to take account.

Here are the most common side effects of liposuction:

Pain – Like all other surgical procedures, as soon as the effects of the anesthesia wear out, the pain sets in. Some pain relievers are not allowed, so make sure you consult your doctor before taking anything.

Numbness – The liposuction area will remain numb for a few weeks.

Swelling – Swelling is an inevitable consequence of all invasive types of surgery, although some experience worse cases than others. Using ice packs or heating pads over the liposuction area is usually not recommended, but the swelling should go away after a few days.

Bruising – Like swelling, bruising is also part of the healing process, and will gradually subside.

Scarring – The incision made at the beginning of the liposuction procedure will leave a scar on your skin, but this scar should be less evident as the weeks pass and you can also ask your doctor if there is anything you can apply to reduce it.

Nausea – This is a common side effect of anesthesia. To fight it, simply get a lot of rest and eat small meals. There are certain foods that can help you control this, too.

Bleeding – In some cases, the wounds will bleed – your surgeon will warn you about this. If the bleeding is unexpected or profuse, call your doctor immediately.

Dehydration – Fat is not the only thing removed from the body during liposuction. Blood and other body fluids are, too, which is why it is advised that you drink a lot of fluids in order to prevent dehydration and help you recover.

In order to minimize the severity or the duration of these liposuction side effects, one of the things you can do is to choose a good surgeon.

A qualified surgeon will have the knowledge, skill and experience to do his work well, and the better he does his job, the less side effects you will have.

Some liposuction techniques also have milder side effects than others. For example, tumescent liposuction is one of the most popular techniques since this is designed to prevent blood loss from the liposuction area during the procedure and then drains it afterwards to minimize bruising and swelling.

Another preferred technique is the body-jet technique which uses pressurized streams of water to dislodge the fat. This is considered a gentle technique that results in little pain, bruising and swelling.

Make sure you ask your surgeon which technique is best for you and ask for some recovery tips, too, so you can efficiently deal with the liposuction side effects and focus on the good part of liposuction – becoming a healthier you!