1. Antiaging Tips & Secrets Slideshow Pictures
2. Cosmetic Surgery Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Skin Quiz

Medical Author:

Joel Schlessinger, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

If there is any potentially infected area (an area of spreading redness and/or pus drainage), around the incision area, it is important contact your surgeon. Additionally, if the patient feels faint (feeling tired is OK, fainting or swooning is not) after the procedure, call the surgeon. Other more severe problems are shortness of breath or severe pain after the procedure, extreme bleeding, or chest pain.

One point to note is that with the tumescent liposuction method, the patient may have swelling initially, and the fluid used to anesthetize the area will leak out over the next day or so after surgery, appearing bloody. This is entirely normal in this procedure, but very abnormal in the traditional (non-tumescent) type of liposuction. It is always best to check with the surgeon at the time of the procedure to see if there are any other reasons for which he or she should be contacted. Many surgeons will call the patient the night of the procedure to check how he or she is feeling.