Can Liposuction Change Body Shape?

Contrary to common misconceptions, liposuction is not intended for those who are simply looking to lose weight, but is instead used to remove fat around specific areas of the body to change the body’s shape.

Fat is extracted from areas such as the hips, thighs and buttocks to create the desired body shape for the individual.

Liposuction is not guaranteed to work for everyone and is not without risks. In the following guide, we will assess these risks and explain what you can do if something goes wrong.

How does liposuction work?

Typically, a vacuum machine is used to remove fat via a cannula - a thin needle and tube - that is inserted into the skin through small cuts made to the designated areas from which the fat will be removed.

Depending on the location and scale of the surgical procedure, local or general anaesthetic may be used, and it can sometimes be carried out with smaller syringes. 

The healing process involves sewing up the cuts, and you will usually need a short stay of a few hours in the hospital while medical professionals can monitor your condition.

The way you should prepare for your surgery will depend on the part of your body where the procedure will be performed, the scale of the operation, and your medical history.

You should discuss all of these things with your doctor before the procedure.

What are the risks of liposuction?

There are a number of risks that liposuction brings, ranging from minor to severe, and your doctor should discuss these with you before you make the decision to undergo the procedure. These risks include:

• Temporary or long-term numbness or nerve irritation
• Irregularities in the contours of your skin - bumps, withering, unusual healing
• Pockets of fluid forming under the skin - these might need to be removed with a needle
• Infections of the skin - these are rare but potentially life-threatening
• Fat embolism - the breaking away of fat that gets trapped in blood vessels. This is an emergency and will need to be treated urgently
• Damage to internal organs due to imprecise insertion of the needle
• Kidney, heart and lung issues that could be life-threatening
• Problems caused by anaesthetic toxicity

While some of these problems are more severe than others, it is important to be aware that they are all mostly treatable by medical professionals. You should seek medical help as soon as you become aware that there might be a problem.

What can I do if my liposuction has gone wrong?

After you have sought medical help, your doctor will help assess your health and learn what the problem is and what went wrong.

The results of liposuction are long-lasting and therefore any potential negative effects can also be.

You should seek corrective surgery or support from a medical professional, regardless of the severity of your symptoms, to avoid serious crippling illness and even death.

If something has gone wrong with your procedure due to the negligence of a medical professional, you might be entitled to claim compensation to help get the treatment you need.

Doctors have a legally binding duty of care to their patients which states they must look after them and carry procedures properly, reducing the changes of side effects from occurring.

If a doctor has broken their duty of care to you, or a loved one, you should speak to a solicitor.

The expert medical negligence team at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can help you to make a compensation claim.

When you get in touch with us, we will assess your situation and break down your legal case for you, explaining your chances of success and what you will need to do.

We will help you to identify and gather evidence, facilitate communication between you and the other party, and represent you in court if necessary.

Get in touch

Making a compensation claim can be daunting, but do not let this put you off from pursuing the compensation you are entitled to claim.

Discuss your situation with us now by calling 0808 252 3192, fill out an online contact form to request a callback or visit our Liposuction claims page for more information.