For this reason many surgeons use antibiotics around the time of surgery. Numbness is due to the division of small skin nerves during surgery. It is inevitable but in most cases sensation will return but may take up to a year. In rare cases permanent loss of feeling to the skin may occur. In some cases this can be painful due to clumps of scar tissue collecting around the end of cut nerves, called neuromas.
Scars are present after all suregry.
Liposuction and ultrasonic liposuction leave smaller scars than traditional surgery. In all cases scars can become thick and heavy. Asymmetry occurs but is usually mild. It is difficult to remove exactly the same amount of tissue on each side and for this reason additional surgery may be needed. Secondary surgery is sometimes needed to correct under correction or over correction at the original operation.