Common Complications

Abstract

Complications in body contouring are common. While they are frequent, they are often minor in severity and include suture extrusion, seroma, hematoma, delayed wound healing, and fat necrosis, among others. Much of this is due to long incisions, potential space for fluid accumulation, and incisions in difficult areas such as the axilla or groin. Patient selection is key to avoiding certain complications, and managing expectations can help manage post-operative complications. This chapter focuses on the types of complications frequently seen after body contouring with an emphasis on how to manage and prevent them.