How safe is liposuction in Singapore?

Doctor's Answer

good question!

Liposuction in Singapore is safe. The Ministry of Health has set many regulations to ensure patients' safety.

Local patients who are planning to go for liposuction are usually given 7 days “cooling off” period to consider their decision.

This period is mandatory for liposuction, because MOH has tightened the rules for invasive cosmetic procedures in 2011.

For foreigners this cooling off period doesn’t apply. If you are a foreigner and coming to Singapore to consult for liposuction and want to do it immediately, or the day after, you can get it done.

Doctors are regulated by MOH. Only certified doctors with liposuction accreditation are allowed to perform liposuction. Doctors like me are also required to attend regular peer reviews to discuss on cases done.

We also have to follow the regulations of performing liposuction in surgical facilities such as in the clinic.

This means:

  • Not more than 100cc of pure fat can be removed under Local Anesthesia
  • 100ml to 2L of pure fat can only be removed in facilities in the Ambulatory Surgical Centre ( under either LA or GA)
  • The removal of anything more than 2L of pure fat must be done in the hospital .

In any surgical procedure, There is always some degree of risk and complications.

You can reduce your risks by:

  • Making sure your doctor explains clearly to you about all the possible risk and complications that might arise from the procedure.
  • It is also very important for you to search for the right Plastic Surgeon.

Read more: The Essential Guide to Liposuction in Singapore by a Plastic Surgeon (2020)!


Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Be sure that you choose a certified Plastic Surgeon:

  • Who has a lot of experience
  • With a good reputation
  • Who works in a safe environment.
  • Don’t go cheap. Safety costs money. Safety is a well-qualified team working in a well-equipped medical facility to guarantee your life support.

Risk and Complications for Liposuction

These can include:

  • Anaphylactic shock:
    This means an allergy that can cause one to go into shock. If you are in a good well equipped environment, we have a higher chance of saving your life.
  • Cardiac related complications:
    Once again, the right team and right facility can save your life. The pre-operative medical checkup is mandatory to minimize this kind of event
  • Losing too much blood by over doing liposuction:
    The number of areas of intra-surgery bleeding is another risk.
    Pre-op blood checks on your coagulation profile, and investigation into whether you have any blood disorders can prevent the possible risk.
    (The rule is that there is a limit: supernatant fat up to 7% of the body weight can be removed)
  • **Mechanical injury like puncturing inner organs:
    **This is related to the doctor’s experience and also the equipment.
    Some liposuction machines like vaser and laser are more aggressive than the traditional liposuction method and can easily perforate the organs.
  • **Other minor mechanical injury:
    **Damaged nerves and skin necrosis could occur. It is rare but is still a part of risks and complications.

Among the later-stage complications, there are:

  • Pulmonary thromboembolism
  • Pulmonary edema.

In summary, liposuction is a very safe procedure when you go for a well-trained doctor. Most of these risk and complications can be avoided or can be managed properly.

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