How safe is Liposuction?

[lifebuilder]

Dr. Rosenberg,

Hi. I am seriously considering having tumescent liposcution done to my abdomen and love handles. I am 33 years old, in excellent health, and exercise regularly. I have good skin elasticity and no strecth marks, but I have tummy fat as a result of the pregnancies (3 children) that no amount of dieting or exercise will help remove. I would like to know how safe is liposuction? Do I need to worry about blood clots in my legs?(this was mentioned at the consult) and I have a 8 month old child that needs to be carried, will I able to do this post procedure, and will I be very sore? Also, is permanent numbness in the area unusual? Please let me know your thoughts and and professional opinion on the pros and cons of having this procedure done. Thank you.
p.s how soon after can I resume running/weights etc?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

I perform liposuction almost every day.  Most surgeons never have serious complications following this procedure.  If performed by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon it is highly unlikely that you will experience serious medical problems post-operatively.  Thrombophlebitis (blood clots) in the legs is a very rare problem with this procedure since you will be ambulatory immediately following the procedure and most surgeons use intermittent compression devices on the legs during the procedure.  Temporary numbness is almost universal following the procedure due to swelling, but this disappears with time and is rarely permanent.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Soreness after liposuction usually lasts about a week.  Everyone is up and about immediately, but full running with weights will not begine until two to three weeks after the procedure.

[lifebuilder]

Thank you for your answer.It was helpful.  If you have a chance could you please just let me know how sore will I be and for how long post procedure. And when can I resume running weights? Thank you.