Lipo Side Effects
Liposuction is a procedure that can sculpt the body
by removing unwanted fat. The technique can be used on the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise. It is meant only to remove stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
RISKS: Infections can happen after any surgery. Infections may be serious or life threatening. Embolism could happen if fat enters the blood through blood vessels broken during the procedure. Pieces of fat can clog important blood vessels in the lungs or brain. During liposuction, it is possible to puncture internal organs with the probe used to suction out fat. Patients may experience altered sensation where the physician performed the procedure. Swelling may occur and persist for weeks or months after liposuction. The skin above a site where fat was removed can die and slough off. This can leave the patient vulnerable to infection.
Also, the ultrasound probe used to break up fat and suck it out can become very hot and cause burns. Fat –which contains a lot of liquid — is removed and doctors inject large a amount of fluid during liposuction. This can result in a fluid imbalance. Serious conditions like heart problems, excess fluid collecting in the lungs, or kidney problems can result if the patient is not monitored closely. Lidocaine, a drug that numbs the skin, is frequently used as a local anesthetic during liposuction. Too much can cause the heart to stop. Any type of anesthesia may cause complications. Various types of anesthesia will be used for liposuction procedures.
If it is to be only a small amount of fat removal, then the procedure can be done under local anesthesia, which numbs only needed areas. Regional anesthesia — like an epidural block — can be used for more extensive procedures. Some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. This kind of anesthesia carries a risk of side effects for some people, although this is rare in healthy people. Risks include collapse of blood vessels because of low blood pressure, heart attack or stroke, and death.
UNEXPECTED SIDE EFFECT: A study published in Dermatologic Surgery reveals women will sometimes experience a natural enlargement of their breasts following tumescent liposuction. Eric Finzi, M.D., Ph.D., a board certified dermatologic surgeon, discovered some of the women he performed liposuction on had the unexpected result. Dr. Finzi reports significant enlargement occurred in 43 percent of female patients who underwent one or more tumescent liposuction surgeries. Patients who had more total fat removed were more likely to see the side effect.
Dr. Finzi says a hormonal reaction may be behind the breast enlargement.
“The female hormones are more effective once you’ve removed the fat that’s putting out some male hormones,” he said.
Right now, breast implants are the only proven way to increase breast size. Breast augmentation surgery has frequent complications including implant rupture, hardening of the breasts, changes in breast sensation, calcifications and scarring.