What Should Men and Women Know Before Having Liposuction?

While the general public may view liposuction simply as a cosmetic procedure, it is real surgery with real risks. So what should you know before having liposuction?

As part of its ongoing dedication to patient safety, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) teamed up with a number of professional medical associations to create a practice advisory published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of ASPS, which outlines recommendations for plastic surgeons and their patients. "In addition to going to an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic procedure, the most important step toward making sure you have a safe procedure is asking your surgeon the right questions and understanding the decisions that you and your surgeon make together," said Ronald Iverson, MD, chair of the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety. "There is no substitute for having the knowledge to make intelligent choices to ensure a safe surgery."

The third practice advisory in a series from the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety explores a variety of issues that patients should talk to their physicians about, including techniques, anesthesia, patient selection, volume to be removed, multiple procedures, postoperative care, facility selection, training and qualifications, and facility accreditation.

"Over the years, advances in liposuction techniques have allowed for ever increasing amounts of fat to be removed. Now more than ever, you need to be smart about choosing a plastic surgeon who addresses your individual needs and condition to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome," stated Dr. Iverson.

According to the ASPS, this is one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, with more than 303,000 procedures performed in 2006. Out of all the cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in the US in 2006, liposuction was the second most common procedure performed in women and the third most common in men. The procedure has also become more popular among both men and women over the last few years.

The ASPS offers a number of points patients should discuss with their physicians before choosing to have liposuction:

>1) Techniques – You will no doubt hear of multiple different techniques when inquiring about liposuction. No one technique is best suited for all patients in all circumstances. Discuss with your plastic surgeon which technique is appropriate for you, depending on your overall health, body mass index and the amount of fat to be removed.

2) Anesthesia – multiple different types of anesthesia are available depending on the physician. Discuss with your plastic surgeon which anesthesia or anesthetic combination is right for you. Also, a physician should have the primary responsibility for providing and/or supervising your anesthesia.

3) Patient Selection – You should receive a thorough preoperative history and physical examination from your surgeon before having the procedure. Even though liposuction is generally an elective procedure, you must be assessed using the same standards as those used for anyone undergoing any type of surgery.

4) Liposuction Volume – If your plastic surgeon agrees to perform large-volume liposuction consisting of more than 5,000 cc's total fat, the procedure should be performed in an acute-care hospital or in a facility that is either accredited or licensed. You should also be monitored overnight in an appropriate facility by qualified and competent staff.

5) Multiple Procedures – Having multiple procedures performed at the same time increases the potential for complications, particularly with large-volume liposuction. Such Patients should discuss with their plastic surgeon about having one surgery at a time to limit their risk for serious complications.

6) Postoperative Care – Attend every one of your follow-up appointments. During these appointments your plastic surgeon will assess your postoperative recovery and satisfaction, as well as wound healing and scar maturation.

7) Facility Selection – Liposuction is performed in a wide array of facilities. While a surgeon can safely perform most procedures in an accredited office-based surgery facility or ambulatory surgery facility, hospitalization may be required for some patients. Talk to your plastic surgeon to determine which facility is right for you.

8) Training and Qualifications – Patients should understand that liposuction is a surgical procedure, and as such, physicians should be trained as plastic surgeons and be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Physicians who perform plastic surgery without having appropriate surgical training may not be as prepared to handle an unexpected complication when it occurs. 

9) Facility Accreditation – Patients should make sure plastic surgery performed under anesthesia, including liposuction, is performed in a surgical facility that is either accredited by a national or state-recognized accrediting organization, certified to participate in the Medicare program or licensed by the state in which the facility is located.

"Patients need to play an active role in ensuring they have safe surgery," said Dr. Iverson. "You have a right and responsibility to be proactive in asking your plastic surgeon questions and discussing surgical details."

Reflecting the society's dedication to ensuring that all plastic surgery procedures are performed safely, ASPS worked with a number of representatives from other professional medical organizations on this advisory, including the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Subsequently, the ASPS has implemented several initiatives to promote patient safety.

If you are considering having liposuction in San Antonio and would like to know more about the procedure, we invite you to arrange for a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons by calling (210) 692-1181.

Learn more about liposuction here.