As with any surgery, liposuction does carry risks, including death. A controversial study published in January 2000 found a death rate of about 20 in every 100,000 patients who underwent liposuction from 1994 to 1998. A task force of plastic surgeons in 1998 determined that the factors that increase the risk of death from liposuction include:Poor patient healthExcessive fat removalToo much fluid and local anesthesia used during the procedurePerforming multiple procedures along with liposuction in a single surgical session, especially under general anesthesiaHowever, in experienced, skilled surgical hands, life-threatening complications, such as problems with anesthetics, blood clots and perforation of the organs and tissues near the area being treated, are extremely rare.