Medical Malpractice During Liposuction Can Pose Serious Dangers

The popularity of plastic surgery just keeps growing, even with the high risks associated with many of the procedures.

The desire to look better, along with the ease and lower costs of many plastic surgery procedures, have enticed many people to go under the knife all over the country. Plastic surgery does have its share of accidents and related deaths.

In one recent case, a 38-year-old woman died while undergoing a lipo-sculpting procedure in an institute in Florida. The woman was a housekeeper and worked overtime just to pay for an operation that she believed would make her more beautiful. That $3600 procedure ended up costing her the rest of her life. Currently there is a pending homicide investigation because the family attorney has suspicions about methods that were used in the procedure.

There are many different procedures that patients can undergo when they get plastic surgery. According to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons they include in order of popularity:

• Breast augmentations - 296,000 performed annually
• Nose reshaping - 252,000 performed annually
• Eyelid surgery - 209,000 performed annually
• Liposuction - 203,000 performed annually
• Tummy tucks - 116,000 performed annually

Side Effects of Liposuction

Liposuction procedures are growing in popularity although they are actually one of the more dangerous operations. There are many complications that can occur when a patient undergoes this type of surgery. Some of the complications can be life threatening or cause long-term damage to a person's health. Common side effects of liposuction include:

• Infections
• Pulmonary embolisms
• Visceral perforations in internal organs or blood vessels
• Hematoma (internal bleeding)
• Seroma
• Paresthesias
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Toxic Shock Syndrome

Patients are anxious to get these procedures and obtain the beautiful body they imagine for themselves, but it can be argued that the cost in threats to one’s health are simply unacceptable. There are risks that a doctor can remove too much fat all at one time. Liposuction treatments should be spaced out over a few days time. If too much fat is removed from an area at once, it can result in lumps, dents and sagging skin. A patient will already have to endure bruising, numbness, scars, and lumps in the normal operation so these side effects can be traumatizing.

Embolisms are one of the most dangerous side effects of this type of surgery. While the doctor is moving the suctioning instrument around inside the patient's body, fat deposits can be loosened and can enter the bloodstream. The fat can then travel to the lungs causing pulmonary embolisms or to the brain putting the person at danger for a stroke.

The suctioning probe presents another risk because the doctor cannot see exactly where it is all the time so it is possible for the surgeon to nick or puncture organs during the operation. This can be life threatening, especially if it is not recognized in time.

If you or someone you love has suffered any complications due to liposuction, we invite you to contact our experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys so that we can help you to determine whether negligence was a factor and whether you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Georgia resulting from plastic surgery, you or your loved one may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Montlick and Associates, our Georgia surgical malpractice attorneys represent cosmetic surgery injury victims with compassion and diligence. Montlick and Associates is available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.