What Are the Side Effects of Liposuction Surgery?

Posted May 28, 2025 in Body Procedures

Liposuction for men and women is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures requested every year—and for good reason. The growing acceptance and demand for aesthetic surgery, including body-contouring procedures like liposuction, reflect this trend. Liposuction surgery offers a safe and effective way to contour your body and eliminate stubborn pockets of excess fat cells that are resistant to a healthy diet and exercise routine. But, like any procedure for body contouring in Beverly Hills, liposuction procedures come with side effects. If you want to undergo liposuction, understanding the possible downsides can help you make a more informed decision. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the various side effects of liposuction surgery, from common to rare. 

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What Is the Liposuction Procedure?

Before exploring the side effects of liposuction, it helps to understand what the surgery involves. Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat that is resistant to a healthy diet and exercise using a thin, hollow tube called a cannula. Your surgeon inserts the cannula through small incisions in your skin and uses suction to remove the unwanted fat.

Tumescent liposuction, also referred to as traditional liposuction procedure because it is the most common, involves the injection of a solution of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the treatment area before excess fat removal. These ingredients numb the treatment area, constrict blood vessels to control bleeding, and facilitate easier removal of fat cells. While all liposuction methods use tumescent fluid, they rely on different techniques to make fat removal easier or more precise. 

Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) uses a vibrating cannula to break up fat more easily before suctioning it out. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and VASER liposuction use ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat cells, making them easier to remove, while laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) utilizes laser energy to melt fat and stimulate your body’s collagen production.

It is important to be aware of the risks associated with aggressive techniques during fat extraction, particularly in the context of ultrasound and laser liposuction, to minimize complications and ensure patient safety. It is also important to have realistic expectations regarding liposuction outcomes, as it is not a weight loss procedure but a treatment for specific areas of the body. Patients should be aware that they can still gain weight after undergoing liposuction surgery, making post-surgery maintenance crucial.

The goal of liposuction is not just to remove excess fat but to create a more toned and balanced appearance. However, achieving the best liposuction results requires the expertise of a surgeon board certified in plastic surgery. A qualified plastic surgeon ensures that the procedure is performed safely and effectively, minimizing risks and maximizing the aesthetic outcome. If you’re considering liposuction, it’s crucial to choose a skilled and experienced surgeon to perform the procedure. 

Dr. Josef Hadeed is an expert in all of the liposuction techniques mentioned above, including TriDef® liposculpting, and will select the method that offers the best results for you. 

Regardless of the technique used for your liposuction surgery, all forms of liposuction share similar side effects and risks.

Common Side Effects of Liposuction

You will experience side effects from liposuction surgery; however, these are generally temporary, expected, and easily manageable.

• Swelling: You may see some immediate slimming of the treatment area after a liposuction procedure, but most of your results are obscured by significant swelling. Swelling and fluid retention are part of the healing process and typically peak in the first week or two after your surgery. It dissipates on its own, but it may take several months to reduce swelling before all of it is gone. 
• Bruising: Bruising is another common side effect because liposuction procedures disturb the blood vessels around the treatment area. It may look daunting, but most bruising fades within a couple of weeks.
• Soreness or Tenderness: You’ll likely feel sore in the treatment area, as your muscles and tissues were disturbed during surgery. This typically feels like soreness after a hard workout and will improve within a week or so.
• Numbness: Temporary loss of skin sensation or numbness in the treatment area may seem concerning, but it is an expected side effect. Nerve endings may take time to recover from the trauma of surgery, but normal sensation usually returns within a few weeks to months.
• Lumpiness or Uneven Texture: You may notice lumpiness, firmness, or uneven skin texture as you heal. This can be due to swelling, fluid accumulation, uneven fat removal, or scar tissue formation. It usually improves over time and can often be avoided by wearing your compression garments as directed. Proper use of a well-fitting compression garment can help reduce swelling and mitigate issues such as surface irregularities and skin laxity, thereby promoting better healing and improved postoperative outcomes.

Less Common (But Possible) Side Effects of Liposuction

There are some side effects that, while less frequent, may still arise following your liposuction procedure during the healing process. Potential complications from your liposuction surgery include:

• Skin Irregularities: In some cases, your skin may appear bumpy or uneven, and the effects don’t improve over time. This can occur if fat was removed too aggressively during the procedure or if you have poor skin elasticity. Proper postoperative care at the incision site is crucial to prevent complications such as infection and skin necrosis. It is also important to monitor for signs of skin necrosis, especially in patients with risk factors such as smoking. Early detection and necessary interventions are crucial for effective management and treatment.
• Seroma: A seroma is a pocket of clear fluid that can collect under your skin after surgery. It can resolve on its own, but if it doesn’t, your surgeon may need to drain it.
• Hematoma: A hematoma forms when blood collects outside your blood vessels due to a broken or damaged vessel. Hematomas are rare, but they can cause swelling and discomfort and might need to be addressed by your surgeon.
• Skin Laxity: After fat cells are removed during a liposuction procedure, the skin in the treatment area may not retract or “bounce back” as expected, resulting in loose or sagging skin. This happens most often in older patients or people with poor skin elasticity. Loose skin can sag due to extreme stretch marks, potentially necessitating further surgery. Dr. Hadeed offers Renuvion® skin tightening as part of his TriDef® liposculpting procedure to improve the appearance of loose, sagging skin. It is important to allow time for skin elasticity to recover before considering additional surgery.

Rare but Serious Side Effects of Liposuction

Although a liposuction procedure is considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience, serious complications can occasionally occur. These are rare, but it’s crucial to be aware of them.

• Infection: Infection after a liposuction procedure is rare but possible. Signs include increased redness or pus around the incisions, pain, or fever. Most infections are easily treated with prescribed medications, but severe cases may require further care.
• Internal Injury: There is a risk of damage to abdominal organs, muscles, and nerves, which can lead to serious health complications such as internal bleeding and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)  if not properly managed.
• Fat Embolism: A fat embolism occurs when fat enters your bloodstream and travels to your lungs or brain. This is extremely rare but can be life-threatening.
• Blood Clots: As with any surgery, blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are serious risks associated with liposuction procedures. To reduce this risk, take short, slow walks around your home as you recover to encourage proper circulation.

How to Minimize Liposuction Risks and Side Effects

The best way to reduce your risk of developing unexpected side effects after liposuction is to choose a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, like Dr. Josef Hadeed, to perform your cosmetic procedure. The proper training and experience are essential for safe and effective surgery, recovery, and results. 

If you choose to undergo liposuction, you must be sure to follow your surgeon’s pre- and postoperative instructions to the letter. Again, their experience and knowledge will help ensure that you heal safely with minimal discomfort and maximum results from your liposuction procedure. Consulting a qualified surgeon board certified in plastic surgery is crucial for ensuring a safe procedure.

When to Call Your Plastic Surgeon

After your liposuction procedure, mild discomfort, bruising, and swelling are normal, especially in the initial recovery phase. However, you should contact your plastic surgeon if you experience any of the following side effects following your liposuction surgery:

• Sudden, severe pain
• Unusual swelling and fluid retention
• Bleeding
• Redness or warmth in the treatment area that worsens
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain

These could be signs of a serious complication that requires immediate attention. It is crucial to monitor the treated areas for any signs of complications to ensure proper healing and avoid further issues.

Explore Your Liposuction Options in Beverly Hills

A liposuction procedure is a fantastic way to slim and smooth your body where your efforts to remove excess fat have failed. It’s a safe and effective procedure, but only when performed by a qualified surgeon like Dr. Josef Hadeed. The critical role of plastic surgeons in performing liposuction cannot be overstated, as their expertise ensures the best possible outcomes and minimizes complications.

Dr. Hadeed is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing body-contouring surgery, including traditional liposuction, power-assisted liposuction (PAL), ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), laser-assisted liposuction, VASER liposuction, suction-assisted liposuction, and tumescent liposuction.To learn more about how liposuction in Beverly Hills can give you the svelte figure of your dreams, call our office today at (310) 970-2940 or request an appointment online.