Baby Got Back – the Dangers of Liposuction

Remember the old rap song "Baby Got Back"? It emulated the sexiness of, shall we say, a larger derriere. However, with the unrealistic expectations for the perfect figure, more and more people are opting for the quick fix. The easy way to shed pounds. One such way is liposuction. Just the word itself brings on a gross sounding connotation. Lipo - from the Greek meaning fat or fatty and suction meaning removal via a vacuum through a syringe type device. Nothing like "sucking" fat out of your body! While the success rate of liposuction is well documented, the realities of some procedures are tucked away, hiding the dangers of liposuction.

While people who are average or above average in weight or have firm elastic skin and are in overall good health, are the best candidate for the procedure, not all procedures have expected outcomes; consider the five deaths that occurred after tumescent liposuction.

The five patients reportedly between the ages 33 to 54. Only one of the patients was a man and all five had lidocaine injected into their systems - a drug sometimes used to slow dangerously rapid heart rates in emergency situations. Three of the five died because their blood pressure dropped and a slower heart rate ensued - the result of lidocaine.

A female victim died of too much fluid in her body. This woman essentially drowned to death when her lungs filled with liquid. During the procedure over 13 quarts of liquids had been given to this woman; and a blood clot which made its way to her lungs was the cause of the demise of the fifth patient - a clot that developed in her calf veins then freed itself and wound up in her lungs.

Tumescent liposuction involves pumping several quarts of a solution consisting of salt water, lidocaine - a numbing agent, - and epinephrine - a vessel constrictor to help minimize bleeding. Afterward, the fat is then suctioned out of the body through small tubes.

What makes tumescent liposuction a higher danger is in part due to the use of lidocaine - the drug itself is toxic, the patient may be taking medication that may cause complicated reactions to lidocaine.

Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) is when the cannula - a hollow instrument - is energized with ultrasonic energy which causes the fat to melt away on contact. While an advantage to UAL is that it treats scar tissue, the dangers appear to be more pronounced.

UAL needs longer incisions in the skin whereas the potential for infection increases and the potential for skin or internal burns are greater because of the use of ultrasonic energy. The dangers notwithstanding, there is also a greater cost associated with UAL and the healing time is often longer.

In general liposuction has a good track record of safety, however, as with any surgery; there are risks of infection and skin discoloration. Although, you can minimize these risks by avoiding long procedures or excessive fat removal.

• Why You May Want Liposuction
• What to Expect Before and After Liposuction Procedures
• What to Ask your Surgeon Before your Liposuction Procedure