What You Should Know Before Having Liposuction

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Offers Guidance to Ensure Patient Safety

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2004
 
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – While the general public may view liposuction simply as a cosmetic procedure, it is real surgery with real risks. So what should you know before having liposuction? As part of its ongoing dedication to patient safety, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) teamed up with a number of professional medical associations to create a practice advisory on liposuction, published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of ASPS, which outlines recommendations for plastic surgeons and their patients.
“In addition to going to an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon for liposuction, the most important step toward making sure you have a safe procedure is asking your surgeon the right questions and understanding the decisions that you and your surgeon make together,” said Ronald Iverson, MD, chair of the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety. “There is no substitute for having the knowledge to make intelligent choices to ensure a safe surgery.”

The third practice advisory in a series from the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety explores a variety of issues common to liposuction that patients should talk to their physicians about, including techniques, anesthesia, patient selection, liposuction volume, multiple procedures, postoperative care, facility selection, training and qualifications, and facility accreditation.

“Over the years, advances in liposuction techniques have allowed for ever increasing amounts of fat to be removed. Now more than ever, you need to be smart about choosing a plastic surgeon who addresses your individual needs and condition to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome,” stated Dr. Iverson.

According to the ASPS, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, with more than 320,000 procedures performed in 2003 - second only to nose reshaping.

Contact Illinois Plastic Surgery Professional

Choosing to have plastic surgery is an important decision, and so is selecting a plastic surgeon. Whether you're considering cosmetic surgery toimprove your appearance or reconstructive surgery to correct defects or improve function, you want a board-certified surgeon with the skill and training to help achieve your goals.

Contact a local plastic surgeon >