PureLipo is slimming procedure that is much safer than most other liposuction procedures, as it uses tumescent anesthesia. However, PureLipo may have a few potential risks and complications that you need to be aware of if you are considering this treatment.
Infections
PureLipo is a minimally invasive surgery; it involves the injection of a tumescent anesthetic and a few incisions which will allow the cannula to suction the fat. However, these incisions may get infected, especially if the wounds are not covered after the surgery.
To prevent infections, you will receive a constrictive bandage that you need to wear at least 2 or 3 days after the procedure. Also, antibiotics may be administered to ensure that the incisions will not get infected.
An infected incision will be red, swollen and tender to the touch. Also, there may be pus under the skin, and you will also have a fever. The toxic shock syndrome is a type of infection that can occur in patients after liposuction, and it will manifest through vomiting, diarrhea and shock.
Fluid Imbalance
Fat contains a lot of water and when a lot of fat (over 10 pounds or 4 kilos) is removed from the body, this may create a fluid imbalance. However, PureLipo only removes limited amounts of fat, so the risk of fluid imbalance is reduced.
Reactions to the Tumescent Anesthesia
Even if PureLipo doesn’t use general anesthesia, it employs tumescent anesthetic, which is injected under the skin to numb the areas that will be treated. Some patients may develop allergic reactions to the anesthetic, manifested through severe swelling and redness, and in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. A test will be performed before the surgery to see if you are allergic to the anesthetic.
Blood Clots and Embolisms
Even if the surgery takes less than 1 hour, blood clots may form while the body stays in one position. This risk is very low; however, a higher risk is that of embolisms, as some of the dislodged fat cells may not be removed and these will travel through the blood stream, being able to cause organ blockage or even death in extreme cases.
Uneven Skin
After the surgery, there may be uneven skin in the treated areas, caused by the fact that the suction of the fat cells was not made properly. Some fat cells may remain under the skin, but the skin should get a uniform look after a few months after the surgery, as the fat cells will be redistributed equally.
Skin Damage
PureLipo may cause skin damage, but this complication is rarely met. It is more frequent in smokers and diabetic patients. The plastic surgeon should choose a cannula of an adequate size to prevent skin damage. Brusing post PureLipo is normal, but should go away in less than 1 week. In rare cases, the skin may feel numb; this complication may be temporary or permanent (if nerves were damaged during the procedure).
After PureLipo, the plastic surgeon will schedule a follow up session to monitor the results and to ensure that there are no surgery complications.