* Infections happen after any surgery and some physicians prescribe an antibiotic to patients having liposuction so it is important to keep wound clean. Infections may be life threatening such as necrotizing fasciitis (bacteria eating away tissue) or toxic shock syndrome caused by bacteria associated with surgery.

* Embolism occurs when tiny globules of fat trapped in blood stream blocks blood flow to tissue. This may cause permanent disability. Signs of pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath or difficulty of breathing.

* Drug reactions or overdose from lidocaine is fatal. Lidocaine is a drug that numbs skin and large doses of this is used during liposuction. The effects of lidocaine are lightheadedness, restlessness, drowsiness, slurred speech, muscle twitching, and convulsions. Overdose of this drug may cause heart to stop which is naturally fatal.

* Burns caused by ultrasound probe during ultrasound assisted liposuction.

* Visceral perforations or puncture wounds in organs may require another surgery and can be fatal. During liposuction, physician does not see where probe (canula) is, so it is possible to harm internal organs.

* Skin death (skin necrosis) occurs when skin changes color and fall off. This may also cause infection.

* Paresthesias is an altered sensation at site of liposuction. This may be in form of increased sensitivity in area or loss of feeling. Some cases of this are permanent.

* Swelling

* Death

Given that surgery had no major complications, recovery from liposuction can still be difficult.

The liposuctioned area appears larger than before because of swelling.

Special compression garments must be worn for two to three weeks to reduce swelling, bleeding, and to help contour new body. The patient starts to feel better after a week or two after liposuction.

Walking is recommended after liposuction to prevent blood clots forming in legs. Finally, exercise and diet will help keep your new shape.

Even armed with knowledge of accurate portions, it will always come down to your own degree of self-discipline. I am definitely not a believer in suing successful corporations simply because someone ate themselves into a miserably obese physical condition or even an untimely heart attack. While it would be nice if we were less enticed into over-eating, just like a lot of other areas in life, we each have power to choose, especially when it comes down to just how much chow-mien to woof down during a road trip’s meal-time interruption.