Complications in Body Surgery: A Complete Clinical Guide for Patients

Body surgery—which includes procedures such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, mastopexy, or a mommy makeover—is part of the routine practice of a specialist plastic surgeon. As with any surgical procedure, there is a possibility that complications may arise, both in the immediate period and during recovery. Understanding what they are, how they are prevented, and how they are managed is an essential part of the information every patient should receive before making an informed clinical decision.

This guide, developed from the clinical perspective of Mallorca Medical Group, analyzes the main complications associated with cosmetic body surgery, the preventive measures applied by the medical team and the criteria that determine when an incident requires immediate attention. The aim is not to generate alarm, but to provide rigorous medical information that will help patients face their surgical process with realistic expectations and full confidence in their medical team.

Classification of complications in body surgery

Complications in body surgery are classified according to their severity, time of onset, and their relationship to the technique used.

• Minor complications: seromas, small-volume hematomas, superficial wound-healing problems, transient sensory discomfort. They account for most cases and are usually resolved with conservative treatment.
• Moderate complications: hematomas requiring drainage, local infections requiring antibiotic therapy, partial opening of the surgical wound, or asymmetries that may require correction.
• Severe complications: deep infections, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, skin necrosis, or anesthetic complications. They are uncommon in well-selected patients operated on in centers with rigorous safety protocols.

Depending on the timing, a distinction is made between immediate complications (first 24-48 hours), early complications (first to fourth week) and late complications (beyond one month postoperatively).

“The best prevention of complications in body surgery begins before the intervention: in the exhaustive evaluation of the patient’s state of health, in the honest selection of the most appropriate procedure for his or her anatomy and in the design of a surgical and anesthetic protocol adjusted to each case. A well prepared and correctly informed patient is the surgeon’s best ally.”

Procedure-specific complications

Each body surgery procedure has its own profile of potential complications. The most relevant are detailed below:

Liposuction

Liposuction—whether tumescent, VASER, or high-definition—may be associated with seromas (fluid accumulation), contour irregularities, asymmetries, and, less frequently, sensory changes in the treated area. The main cause of an irregular contour is non-uniform fat removal, which is why the surgeon’s experience and precision are decisive.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty involves resection of abdominal skin and fat with repair of muscle diastasis. Complications include seroma (the most common, especially when combined with liposuction), changes affecting the horizontal scar, umbilical necrosis in selected cases, and, exceptionally, DVT. The use of postoperative compression garments, early mobilization, and antithrombotic protocols significantly reduce these risks.

Breast surgery (mastopexy, augmentation, reduction)

In breast surgery, capsular contracture is the most relevant late complication in patients with implants. It is characterized by progressive hardening of the breast and may require surgical correction. Other complications include postoperative hematoma, asymmetry, nipple sensory changes, and wound-healing problems in the periareolar or inframammary area.

Combined body contouring procedures (Mommy Makeover)

Combining several procedures in a single surgical session can achieve comprehensive results with less overall recovery time, but it requires a particularly rigorous preoperative assessment. Prolonged operative time can increase the risk of thromboembolic complications, which is why antithrombotic prophylaxis protocols are essential.

Individual risk factors that influence the occurrence of complications

Not all patients have the same risk of complications. Individual factors assessed by the medical team during the preoperative consultation include:

• General health status and systemic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, coagulopathies).
• Smoking: tobacco impairs skin vascularization and significantly increases the risk of necrosis and poor wound healing. Cessation is recommended at least four weeks before surgery.
• Body mass index: patients with significant overweight have a higher risk of seroma, infection, and thromboembolic complications.
• History of previous surgeries in the area, which may alter vascular anatomy and make the approach more difficult.
• Medications that interfere with coagulation or wound healing.

The preoperative assessment at Mallorca Medical Group includes a detailed medical history, blood tests, anesthetic risk assessment, and, when necessary, consultation with other medical specialties.

Prevention protocols at Mallorca Medical Group

Reducing complications in body surgery depends largely on the protocols applied before, during, and after the procedure. At Mallorca Medical Group, these include:

• Individualized preoperative preparation: smoking cessation, medication adjustment when necessary, nutritional guidance, and optimization of overall health status.
• Refined surgical technique: performed in certified operating theatres at Hospital Quirónsalud Palmaplanas and Hospital Quirónsalud Son Verí, with a specialist anesthesia team.
• Antithrombotic prophylaxis: low-molecular-weight heparin, compression stockings, and early mobilization according to protocol.
• Structured postoperative follow-up: regular check-ups, scar monitoring, and direct access to the medical team in the event of any issue.
• Detailed postoperative instructions: wound care, use of compression garment, restriction of physical activity, and warning signs that require urgent consultation.

When to consult your surgeon during recovery

Distinguishing between normal postoperative discomfort and signs of a true complication is information the Mallorca Medical Group team provides to each patient before discharge. Signs that require immediate consultation include:

• Fever above 38.5°C that does not subside with usual antipyretics.
• Severe, progressive pain or pain that does not respond to the prescribed analgesia.
• Sudden-onset redness, warmth, or localized swelling.
• Discharge or dehiscence (opening) of the surgical wound.
• Marked asymmetry of sudden onset.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain (a sign of a possible thromboembolic complication requiring urgent care).

Ongoing medical follow-up, both in person and through direct communication channels with the team, is part of the care process at Mallorca Medical Group.

Management and resolution of the most common complications

Most minor complications in body surgery resolve without the need for reoperation. Usual management includes:

• Seroma: outpatient aspiration, repeated if necessary until resolution. In persistent seromas, the use of pressotherapy or surgical drainage may be considered.
• Hematoma: small-volume hematomas are reabsorbed spontaneously. Organized or large-volume hematomas may require surgical drainage.
• Superficial infection: systemic antibiotic therapy, local wound care, and follow-up. Deep infection is exceptional in patients operated on under rigorous aseptic conditions.
• Contour irregularities after liposuction: assessed from six months onward, once postoperative swelling has fully resolved. If correction is necessary, it is planned on an individualized basis.
• Capsular contracture: management depends on the degree of contracture. It may range from massage and physical therapy to surgical correction (capsulotomy or capsulectomy with implant replacement).

Complications in body surgery are part of the reality of any surgical intervention. Knowing about them, understanding how to prevent them and knowing how to recognize their warning signs allows the patient to face the process with complete information and an active attitude in his own recovery.

The safety profile of body plastic surgery in specialized centers is solid. The key lies in proper candidate selection, individualized surgical planning, precise technique and rigorous postoperative follow-up. At Mallorca Medical Group, Dr. García Ceballos FCCP – with more than 34 years of clinical practice and specialized training in plastic surgery at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and UZ VUB Brussels – applies these principles in every procedure, both in plastic surgery in Mallorca and in the field of reconstructive surgery in Mallorca.

If you are considering a body procedure and would like to receive personalized information about the risks, indications and clinical expectations of your case, request your personalized medical assessment at mallorcamedicalgroup.com.

Article written by Dr. García Ceballos FCCP, MD · FCCP Belgium · MRCS I England, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Director of Mallorca Medical Group · Palma de Mallorca. Registration no. 070707779 (Spain) · GMC no. 4073525 (United Kingdom) · SECPRE.

Book your personalized assessment at mallorcamedicalgroup.com or call 971 254 686.