Newport Beach Plastic Surgery | Dr. Hendrick's Blog

If you have ever had some type of surgery done, you know that there is always a risk. We will explain the liposuction risks to you and the possible complications that could arise. Surgery also has side effects, which are not the same thing as complications. Side effects are minor and temporary and mostly part of the healing process.

Complications are typically unexpected, more severe, and sometimes life-threatening. The good news is that most people who have liposuction at Pacifica Cosmetic Surgery Center have excellent results with straightforward recovery periods. That is partly because Dr. Hendricks is a top quality liposuction surgeon, partly because of good patient education, and partly because people have followed Dr. Hendricks' instructions well.

However, sometimes there is an unexpected event and a complication arises. Most often, we can address it and prevent anything more serious from developing, especially if you contact us immediately after noticing anything untoward during your recovery period.

Minor complications include:

• Uneven skin surface - Dr. Hendricks can do a follow-up procedure to correct it
• Numbness - when a nerve is compressed by temporary swelling, numbness resolves along with the swelling
• Seroma - a seroma is a build-up of fluid. Fat tissue has been removed, which means the area must adapt to the new tissue arrangement and sometimes tissue detaches from the skin. If fluid accumulates in that space, Dr. Hendricks can drain it out.
• Scars not fading - Some people do not scar as well as others and may not achieve a thin, flat little scar. Liposuction uses very small incisions, so these scars, even if not well shrunk, will be very small. But if necessary, Dr. Hendricks can do a scar revision surgery.

Major complications include:

• Burning - Occasionally, if you have UAL (Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction), the ultrasound probe can become hot. However, Dr. Hendricks can prevent any burns by moving the probe and keeping it far enough away from the skin.
• Infection - you will have antibiotics after your liposuction procedure but if you do notice any redness, tenderness or fever, please contact us immediately. It is important to treat infection as soon as possible.
• Blood clots - without some walking soon after your liposuction procedure, leg veins can sometimes form a blood clot.
• Pulmonary embolism - A particle of fat can sometimes detach and travel in the bloodstream to the lungs. If it lodges there, you will notice breathing problems, so please contact us immediately.

For more information, please see our page on Liposuction Risks and Complications.

If you would like to set up a personal consultation with liposuction surgeon Dr. Hendricks, please call or email our Orange County office today.