Kerala woman loses fingers, toes after body fat removal: When does the process get complicated?

The news of a 31-year-old Kerala IT professional losing her fingers and toes after undergoing a fat removal surgery had stunned many. At a time when fat removal processes like liposuction are becoming common even in our part of the world, many are wondering how the procedure, which is generally termed safe when done by qualified specialists, results in such medical emergencies.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat deposits from specific body parts, especially the chin, neck, belly, waist, hips, thighs, and the backside of the knees, as well as the buttocks. Tumescent (removing subcutaneous fat), ultrasound (removing fat cells using ultrasound vibration), LASER, VASER, and power-assisted liposuctions are some of the common fat removal procedures. There is also the traditional method of removing fat using vacuum equipment. Here’s what you need to know:

Who can do the surgery?
This surgery is recommended for those with high fat deposits in the body. Those who cannot reduce fat through diet or exercise also undergo liposuction.

When does this surgical procedure get complicated?
The surgery is done under local /general anaesthesia. Around 2 – 5 litres of fat are removed from the body. The patient is advised to rest for at least a week after surgery. Doctors may prescribe painkillers, antibiotics, and other medicines. The surgery wound may be swollen, and the patient may experience temporary numbness in the organs. Do not hesitate to seek treatment if this condition persists.

Warning
Ensure there aren’t any complications or risk of infection and numbness before and after the fat removal surgery.