Total Body Lift
Body Lift Surgery Risks and Complications in New York
What could go wrong?
Whilst it is true that when a Body Lift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon the risks are small, nonetheless, specific complications with this procedure can and do occur.
As in any procedure the risk of significant infection is always possible. This is minimized by careful surgical technique and the preventative administration of antibiotics both at the time of surgery and after. However despite these measures mild infection is relatively common and can occur around the incision site, but usually subsides over a period of about 2 weeks.
Risks such as blood clots are rare. Early mobilization by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible reduces this considerably.
As mentioned earlier, swelling should be expected after this operation. When mild or moderate swelling is present, the body rapidly reabsorbs this. Very occasionally, increased bleeding can lead to more significant swelling and the development of a hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin). If this were to happen, surgical drainage to evacuate this would be required. Ultimately however this should not affect the final outcome.
Another possible complication is the formation of a collection of fluid called a "seroma". This fluid is clear and yellow in color. It is seen as a swelling in the lower abdominal region, and many times patients report that they can feel this fluid moving under the skin. It is usually noticed at about 10 days after surgery. The treatment will depend on the amount of fluid present. If this is deemed to be small and is not causing any discomfort, then only a pressure garment is applied and the body reabsorbs this, usually by about a months time. If however the amount of seroma is significant and causes pain or discomfort, then the initial treatment is to draw out this fluid with a needle (called aspiration). Following aspiration the swelling rapidly disappears. If necessary this procedure may be repeated in a weeks time.