Laser Liposuction Risks

Laser liposuction, a procedure that is also known as SmartLipo, is one of the newest trends in body sculpting. While patients and surgeons tout the obvious benefits of laser liposuction results, it is important to investigate the risks associated with laser liposuction, as well as the risks of any cosmetic procedure.

How Does It Work?
With traditional liposuction, an incision is made in the skin and a tube sucks and scrapes out subcutaneous fat cells. Downsides include the need for general anesthesia, stitches, tissue trauma, scarring and loose skin. The biggest advantage that people see with laser liposuction is that it does not leave that loose skin once the fat cells have been removed. The liposuction results, therefore, are more natural in appearance. Laser liposuction also just requires local anesthesia and leaves little scarring; recovery time is also shorter than traditional liposuction.

Risks of Laser Liposuction
There are risks associated with any cosmetic or surgical procedure, and laser liposuction is not different. While around one percent of laser liposuction patients report problems or side effects, patients should still have a complete understanding of the potential complications and risks involved. Here is a breakdown of the risks connected with the procedure.

• Bleeding will happen with any surgical procedure, although laser liposuction produces less bleeding than other more traditional forms of liposuction.
• Infection can occur with laser liposuction procedures at the incision site and under the skin.
• Skin burns are possible from the laser used to liquefy the fat.
• Bruising and swelling are the most common side effects of laser liposuction.
• Numbness is possible as a symptom of damaged nerves from any cosmetic procedure, even laser liposuction.
• Deformities can happen with any form of liposuction, but laser liposuction is said to create fewer dimples, wavy lines or lumps.
• Loose skin is common after any liposuction procedure and even though the laser liposuction claims to tighten the skin better than traditional methods, the risks are still present.
• Organ damage is always a risk, especially when the laser liposuction is done at the abdomen, back or buttocks.