It is routinely done on an outpatient basis at an accredited surgical center. I believe that general anesthesia affords the most comfort for the patient and the best opportunity to achieve adequate fat removal and contouring. Postoperative binding is necessary to allow the skin to naturally contract over the new body contour and to minimize the amount of swelling and bruising that may occur. Though this procedure appears to be relatively simple, it does require care and experience on the part of the surgeon. The complication rate is small but does exist.
Infection is a remote possibility.
Sensory changes may occur temporarily but the possibility of them remaining permanently is again remote. The risk of cosmetic residual deformity must be considered by each patient. These can range from skin dimpling, wrinkling, or folding to the presence of residual excess fat. Fortunately these are also rare occurrences, especially in liposuction performed on the abdominal wall and flanks. Pain following this procedure ranges from mild to moderate after the first few hours and lasting up to seven to ten days.