Liposuction. History, techniques, and complications.

Liposuction is a very safe and predictable means of contouring the body's adiposities. It is an effective surgical method for aesthetic sculpturing with minimal complications. Complications are rare and most commonly include waviness or irregularities of the skin from poor patient selection. We have had in the last 1200 patients one case of a hematoma that was attributed to preoperative ingestion of aspirin. No seromas have occurred in this group of patients. The procedure is relatively pain free, and propoxyphene is usually adequate for pain control. The results have been rewarding for both the surgeon and the patient. Liposuction surgery has arrived as a well-accepted, reliable, and safe procedure for treating unwanted adiposities and contouring the face, neck, and body.