Key Takeaways
- The safety of liposuction is patient-specific. It is also surgeon-specific and facility-dependent.
- Any surgical procedure comes with some risk, so you should know what the potential complications are, and your doctor should be walking you through all of that before you go in.
- When it comes to your surgeon, “board certified” basically means they’ve finished the proper accredited training, passed rigorous examinations, and keep up with ongoing standards for patient safety.
- As for Dr. Ramiro Morales, he’s a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has practiced plastic surgery in South Florida for more than 27 years.
- Good candidates are those who are near a stable, healthy weight, in good general health, and non-smokers.
- Always follow the post-operative instructions as directed to get the best possible result.
Before you book your consultation, be sure you are aware of exactly what affects the safety of the procedure. Although it is a technique to remove unwanted fat from certain areas of your body, liposuction is a surgery, and because of this it carries the same risks as any medical procedure. It is an operation that rests on three things, the practitioner, the patient and the place. So, is liposuction safe? This guide talks about board certification, selecting a candidate and post-operative care, and gives an idea of what questions to ask.
Is Liposuction Safe?
It’s not a simple yes or no question here, because quite a few things need to come together. First, the patient has to be near a stable, healthy weight and in good general health. Also, the surgeon should be certified and trained, and the surgery should be performed in an accredited surgical facility.
Your consultation at The Plastic Surgeon Miami is where things begin. Dr. Morales goes through your health history and your goals, and from there he decides with you whether liposuction, or a combination of procedures, is the right choice. Throughout the process, patient safety comes first, and the aim is smooth contours that look natural.
Is Liposuction Dangerous? Understanding Liposuction Risks and Complications
Is liposuction dangerous? Look, any surgery has risks. Your surgeon should be upfront about everything so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Don’t be afraid to ask for a full list of liposuction risks and liposuction complications, and, more importantly, how the medical team actually handles them if something comes up.
Recovery is where your body does some weird stuff, though most of it is totally normal. Swelling and bruising will show up in the first few days. That’s what the compression garments are for, since they help reduce the swelling and support healing. Then there’s tumescent liposuction, which is one of the most commonly performed techniques. Before any fat comes out, a special solution gets placed in the treatment area, and it helps minimize bleeding while making the whole thing a bit more comfortable.
As you look into liposuction, the liposuction death rate is something you are likely to run into. Any statistics like this should come from credible sources, so it is worth asking your surgeon about them directly. A good answer should come without hesitation.
How Safe Is Liposuction Surgery? The Importance of Candidate Selection
How safe is liposuction surgery for you in particular? Whether you’re the right candidate is very important here. It is a procedure that reshapes the body and not a weight-loss surgery. A good candidate is characterized by the following.
- A normal body weight range with realistic expectations
- Skin that is firm and elastic and can adjust to the new contour of the body
- Good general health and non-smoker status
- One or more specific areas of stubborn fat, but not diffuse weight to lose
Once candidacy is confirmed,Dr. Ramiro Morales puts together a plan based on where you want the fat removed and the kind of look you’re going for. He’ll first figure out what’s actually realistic for your body and what can be done safely, then he’ll walk you through your options.
Liposuction Safety and a Board-Certified Surgeon
Checking credentials is one of the most practical steps you can take. Board certification means a plastic surgeon has completed accredited surgical training, passed rigorous examinations and keeps meeting ongoing standards for education, ethics and patient safety. It does not guarantee a particular outcome. It does confirm formal, verified training in the procedures being performed.
Dr. Morales has been practicing right here in South Florida for over 27 years.
He got his medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine and did his general surgery residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also spent some time as the Vice Chief of Surgery at Memorial Hospital West.
As for his credentials, he’s certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery. He’s also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Anyone looking into liposuction safety board certified surgeon information should verify credentials independently. Patients can confirm Dr. Morales’s certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
What Recovery Looks Like
Just a heads-up: your care doesn’t stop the moment you leave the operating room. How you feel during recovery mostly depends on how much work we did and how many areas were treated.
For the first few days, expect some swelling and bruising, and that’s totally normal. We actually want you up and walking around shortly after the procedure.
Most people are able to return to their desk jobs and light chores after about a week or two. By the 3-to-6-week point, you should be able to resume your workout regimen if Dr. Morales says so.
In addition, keep in mind that the swelling has to go down before noticing final results, which may take a few months. The most crucial thing that you can do is to follow all post-operative instructions in order to ensure optimal recovery.
Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation in Miami
If you are still asking whether liposuction is safe for your body, a consultation is the best next step. Dr. Morales will review your health history, explain your options and answer your questions. You can read more about liposuction in Miami or about Dr. Ramiro Morales, then call (954)-450-6594 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is liposuction safe?
It really depends on who is doing the surgery and where it gets done, to be honest. Any surgery comes with some risk, which is why a real, honest talk with a board-certified surgeon about what to expect and what the actual risks are matters most.
Why does it matter if the surgeon is board certified?
It’s a lot more than just taking a quick class. Surgeons who are board certified finish accredited training and sit rigorous examinations, and after that they still have to meet standards for ethics and patient safety as time goes on. Basically, it confirms formal, verified training in the procedure being performed.
Who is a good candidate for this?
Usually, it’s people who are already near a stable, healthy weight and are in good general health. You also want to have skin that’s firm and elastic enough to adapt to the new contour, and a few specific “trouble spots” of stubborn fat. Also, being a non-smoker is part of what makes a good candidate.
