The liposuction procedure is considered a safe intervention. However, just like any aesthetic procedure, side effects can be encountered and the patient needs to be aware of them before scheduling the procedure.
Among the side effects that can occur during and after liposuction are infection, bleeding, liquid accumulation, skin discoloration, lack of symmetry and regularity, and changes in skin sensitivity.
The most common side effects after liposuction are swelling, bruising, and edema on the suctioned area. All of these are completely normal and natural, and it is to be expected that they will disappear without further treatment over the following weeks after the procedure.
The edema can persist for a longer period of time. It can take up to six months to completely subside. This depends on the amount of fat that was extracted, the surface that was targeted and how sensitive that particular area is. Liposuction performed on the inner thighs tends to leave more bruises and a prolonged edema compared to one done at the abdominal level. However, this is different from patient to patient.
Another side effect that is also associated with removing a lot of fat from the body is skin sagginess. The sagginess occurs as a result of the inability of the skin to retract on the new contours. In other words, the skin is not elastic enough to contract. The quality of the skin can be easily assessed before liposuction. Clear indications of a poor skin condition are stretch marks and cellulite in the area.