A court in Pennsylvania recently upheld a 20 million dollar award to a family whose member died after liposuction performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. The procedure was performed under anesthesia with a nurse anesthetist. Fat was suctioned from the neck and abdomen.
You can read more about the story here: LINK to plastic surgeon liposuction death story
Liposuction is most safely performed with tumescent anesthesia, and not with general anesthesia. Any procedure with general anesthesia has higher inherent risks. Modern liposuction can be done safely with mild to no sedation with tumescent techniques, as popularized by Dr. Klein, a California dermatologist. Liposuction with a board certified plastic surgeon does not ensure safety.
