Liposuction – Do You Consent? | PatientSafe Network

There is no medical benefit to liposuction and significant risk of harm.

The death rate from liposuction, 1 in 5000, is 20 times greater than that of other surgical procedures.

Within the past 10 years there have been at least 17 deaths from liposuction within Los Angeles alone. All of them female:

There are many reports of infection including necrotising fasciitis with gross destruction of surrounding tissues.

Fat plays a beneficial role in metabolism and it’s removal can have unforeseen negative consequences.

Studies have shown the body compensates for fat loss by increasing fat in other, non-treated areas. The re-accumulated fat may appear in more obvious places – such as the face and arms and has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

There are multiple reports of people gaining weight after liposuction.

Patients can suffer bowel perforation, nerve damage and intractable pain afterwards and are often left unsupported. Compounded with other complications and financial loss this frequently leads to severe depression with several reports of suicide.

Are the risks of liposuction presented in this way to those considering the procedure?

Many websites use images of ‘perfection’ with photo-shopped models to coerce the public into having this procedure. An extensive study showed 76% of sites developed by private practising surgeons did not mention any risks associated with liposuction.

Prior to a death in 2016 from liposuction in Australia the surgeon had informed his patient the procedure was ‘no big deal‘.

Is it wise that the process of obtaining informed consent be left to those who benefit financially?

Perhaps it’s time for society to insist a generic process of informed consent is used to ensure patients fully understand the lack of medical benefit and profound complications.

Perhaps those considering liposuction may want to read the stories of others:

Mother dies after liposuction by renowned plastic surgeon

28 yr old woman from Adelaide dies from gangrene after liposuction

22 year old dies from gangrene following liposuction

26 year old dies 3 days after liposuction

Death after severe infection from liposuction

45yr old has cardiac arrest and dies from liposuction

57yr old woman dies from severe infection after liposuction

32yr old mother of two dies undergoing liposuction

33yr old dies from fat embolism syndrome from liposuction

25yr old dies from liposuction

7 hospital staff charged with causing death by liposuction