Liposuction is a popular procedure between women and men, yet the safety of liposuction has always been questioned. Of course, liposuction is both safe and effective when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk, and it is important that you understand the risks involved with liposuction procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) liposuction involves risks such as anesthesia-related complications, bruising, swelling. 

Long-term Effects: Changes in body of the result in the long term may occur due to aging, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or other circumstances not related.

Scarring: Although the liposuction incisions are minimal as the inserted cannula is very thin and also good wound healing after a surgical procedure is expected, abnormal scars may occur within the skin and deeper tissues in rare cases. Such scars can be a different colour than the surrounding skin. Additional treatments, might be performed to treat this issue(such as laser etc.).

Bruising and/or Swelling: Bruising and swelling may occur after liposuction procedure, the bruising wears off around 10 days and most of the swelling fades away in around 1-2 month healing period time but final results of the surgery settles in around 6 months.

Skin Irregularities: Liposuction specifically refers to fat cells, skin contour irregularities and depressions in the skin are unlikely but can happen rarely. This can occur particularly when large quantities of fat cells are removed and/or the skin is lacking good elasticity.

These above are a few post operative complications than can occur but choosing the right surgeon and being a suitable candidate will minimize such risks and side effects of this procedure. Your surgeon will analyze your case closely in your face to face consultation and inform you about the risks involved and ensure you are physically good to go. First of all, every candidate has to be informed that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and therefore it is not a solution to treat obesity. Liposuction does not refer to the change of numbers in the scale, rather, it helps changing the shape when you look in the mirror. Some patients refer to this surgery in order to lose 10-15 kilos. But this is definetly wrong. Patients who have somewhat a good body shape and have stubborn fat in  some specific areas like the belly and the hips are the best candidates for this procedure. Liposuction aims to proportionize the body and add definition and contour.