With the growing influence of social media, digital filters and AI-generated beauty standards, more people are seeking affordable options for cosmetic procedures like liposuction. The appeal of lower prices overseas, combined with package deals and attractive destinations, can make surgery abroad seem like a convenient alternative.
However, plastic surgeons in the UK are required to adhere to strict regulations and safety protocols designed to minimise the risks of liposuction gone wrong. In this blog post, we explore whether the reduced costs of undergoing surgery abroad are worth the potential risks – and what steps you can take if something goes wrong.
What is the expected recovery after liposuction?
Ideally, the recovery process after liposuction should follow a clear and manageable path. If you’re wondering whether the symptoms you’re experiencing are part of the normal healing process, here’s what you can typically expect:
- Swelling: this usually peaks between the first and second week after surgery, then gradually subsides over the next few months, often resolving fully by six months. Wearing a compression garment, typically for around four weeks, is often recommended to help reduce swelling and support the healing process.
- Bruising, redness and tenderness: these are common in the treated areas and should ease over time as your body heals.
- Stitches: most procedures involve small incisions closed with dissolvable stitches, which do not need to be removed.
- Fluid leakage: it’s normal to experience some drainage from the incision sites during the early recovery stage.
- Scarring: small scars are expected, but these are generally positioned in discreet areas and tend to fade over time.
Understanding what to expect during recovery can help you identify what’s normal and when to seek further medical advice if concerns arise.
What are the signs of liposuction complications?
If the healing process isn’t progressing as it should – whether due to preventable surgical errors, poor technique or inadequate aftercare – a number of complications may begin to appear:
- Asymmetry or uneven contours: once post-operative swelling has reduced, differences in shape between treated areas may become apparent. This can indicate inconsistent fat removal.
- Indentations or ridges: an uneven or irregular surface beneath the skin, often linked to excessive fat extraction during the procedure.
- Skin discolouration or ongoing numbness: this may suggest nerve irritation or possible damage. While it can improve over time, in some cases it may be permanent.
- Infection or slow wound healing: may arise if post-surgical aftercare is not properly followed, or if early signs of infection are missed during recovery.
- Visible deformities: including irregular shaping or contouring, which may be caused by poor surgical technique.
If you experience any of these complications, it is important to seek advice from your surgeon or obtain medical attention without delay. Even if you have already been assessed by a doctor abroad, you should still visit a hospital or GP in the UK as soon as you return.
Can you claim compensation if you’ve experienced complications abroad?
If your cosmetic surgery was carried out abroad, claiming compensation can be more complex. This is because different countries operate under varying medical regulations, standards of care, and legal systems. In many cases, it may not be possible to pursue a claim through the UK legal system for treatment received overseas.
However, if your surgery took place in the UK and you experienced complications due to preventable mistakes, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This could include situations where your surgeon:
- Failed to properly inform you of the risks, alternatives or your suitability for the procedure during the consultation process.
- Did not perform the surgery to the standard agreed in advance.
- Provided inadequate aftercare or failed to act on warning signs of complications, such as infection, during follow-up appointments.
If any of these issues apply, you may have grounds to pursue a cosmetic surgery compensation claim.
While surgery abroad may seem appealing due to lower costs and all-inclusive deals in sunny locations, it’s important to ask – is it really worth the potential risk?
