Why is My Stomach Still Big After Liposuction?

Like any surgical procedure, the body must spend time healing after liposuction has been carried out. As the wounds heal over, it is common to see bloating and swelling as fluid can get trapped under the skin.

This is natural and may be painful at first - keep in touch with your doctor and alert them if you are worried that something has gone wrong.

In the following guide, we will outline what liposuction is and is intended for, how the procedure works and what the effects of this may be.

What is the procedure of liposuction?

Before you begin the procedure, you should consult with your doctor about any health issues you may have, as the surgery is intense and requires anaesthetic to be administered.

Your doctor will assess whether you should receive liposuction on your desired area based on your health and may offer advice on how to prepare, what type of liposuction you should receive and whether you should or should not have it.

The procedure can either be carried out with a vacuum machine or smaller syringes, depending on the area chosen for the fat removal and how much will be removed.

You will either be administered local or general anaesthetic, and the surgery will involve making small cuts to your skin where the needle - the cannula or smaller syringe - will enter. 

Once the procedure is done, you will usually be required to remain at the surgery for two hours so the medical professionals can monitor your health.

After this, the healing process will take up to a week before you will be able to return to normal activities, and between four and seven before doing strenuous activities. 

Does liposuction help to lose weight?

The primary intention of liposuction is not to lose weight, but to remove fat around areas of the body to change the body shape and figure.

Dieting is a much more effective way to lose weight all across the body, but liposuction is generally used to help people who desire the reduction of their thighs, buttocks, arms and other such body parts that have more fat.

What are the risks and effects of liposuction?

As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, liposuction is the changing of natural body structure, so it comes with some effects and risks.

Not everyone who undergoes liposuction will be subject to these effects as their occurrence depends on factors such as the patient’s physical health and the surgeon’s procedure.

Bumpiness and withering of the skin can occur naturally after liposuction and are not dangerous to the patient’s health.

Additionally, the healing process can create pockets of fluid under the skin that may be painful at first, but can be removed simply with syringes. If you suffer from any of the above, you should consult with your doctor.

There are some more severe risks that come with liposuction, however - some of which can be life-threatening or permanent.

These include:

• Temporary or long-term numbness or nerve irritation
• Irregularities in the contours of your skin
• 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

If you are worried that something has gone wrong in the healing process or directly after your procedure, you should contact your doctor immediately.

What can I do if something has gone wrong?

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice anything wrong.

The healing process can involve some pain and discomfort, but this should mostly resolve after a week. If it does not, or if the pain becomes unbearable, this is cause for concern.

Sometimes, medical procedures do not go according to plan. However, your surgeons owe you a legally binding duty of care, stating that they must carry out procedures properly and reduce the risk of side effects occurring.

If they neglect this duty of care, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim against them.

This is important because corrective surgery and support can be expensive, and if you have suffered physically due to someone else’s actions, you should not have to pay for it financially.

To make a compensation claim against a medical professional who has acted with negligence, you should seek help from the legal experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, who are proficient in dealing with such issues.

When you contact us, we will discuss your situation with you and assess what your chances of success are, explaining the entire process to you. 

We will be able to guide you through the whole claims process, offering advice on what evidence to collect and how to do so, communicating with the involved parties and representing you in court should it be necessary.

Our team is friendly and understands the stressful nature of dealing with medical negligence, so we will act on your behalf to make it as simple as possible.

Get in touch

Do not let the daunting nature of legal claims put you off from claiming the compensation and help that you deserve.

Call us now on 0808 252 3192, fill out an online contact form or visit our Liposuction page to learn more about how we can help you.