The main benefit of liposuction is improved physical appearance, which can also positively impact an individual’s self-esteem. The procedure may also be useful in treating certain conditions, such as hyperhidrosis and lipomas (fatty benign tumors).

Side effects and complications of liposuction are rare, especially when tumescent liposuction is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon using local anesthesia. However, the use of general anesthesia poses greater risks including thrombophlebitis (a blood clot forms in a vein, often resulting in inflammation), pulmonary embolism (a blood clot enters the lungs), respiratory failure and death (rare).

The American Academy of Dermatology released guidelines of care for liposuction. The recommendations include:

• Procedures that remove a large amount of fat are not advised.
  
  
• Use of general anesthesia in tumescent liposuction is not recommended.
  
  
• Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty carries more risks and may not be advised.
  
  
• Liposuction performed along with other procedures is not recommended.

Other risks associated with liposuction may include:

• Asymmetry and other irregularities of the skin (e.g., rippling, dimpling, lumpiness, bagginess, pigmentation changes)
  
  
• Shock (normally from inadequate replacement of fluid during the procedure)
  
  
• Excess fluid
  
  
• Infections
  
  
• Bleeding
  
  
• Blood clots
  
  
• Fat embolism (obstruction of blood flow to the tissues by small masses of fat)
  
  
• Skin, tissue, nerve or organ damage, including:
  
• • Numbness or other changes in sensation
  • Burns (ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty)
  • Visceral perforations (puncture wounds in the organs)
    
    
• Skin necrosis (skin death)
  
  
• Adverse reactions to lidocaine or other drug reactions
  
  
• Scarring

It should be noted that the risk of complications increases when liposuction is performed on a larger surface. 

Patients should seek immediate medical care if they experience any of the following:

• Potential infection
• Feeling faint
• Shortness of breath
• Severe pain
• Extreme bleeding
• Chest pain