In the Western World, liposuction is the most commonly performed aesthetic procedure. It’s constantly been gaining steam since the 1970s. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that helps remove, correct, and contour body fat. Though it can be used for medical and reconstruction purposes, it’s also used in body contouring to give patients a slimmer, firmer shape.
Liposuction is considered a safe and common fat removal cosmetic surgery. Both diet and exercise can fall short of fixing the fat accumulation in the body, especially when gaining and losing weight can cause the body to be disproportional and have more fat in one area than another. Liposuction can help even out problem areas and reduce the fat that’s causing your body to look asymmetrical in different areas. Another name for this procedure is coined “lipo.”
There are several different choices available for your liposuction surgery, starting with the various different methods that are available for your surgical procedure. Though all will use a tube called a cannula to help suck out the fat, they’ll be a bit different concerning the following styles:
If you’ve got fat deposits in areas that are making it hard to contour slim and trim parts of your body, then you’re definitely a candidate for liposuction. Do not consider liposuction to remedy any weight issues, to get rid of cellulite, or to help with stretching skin. These types of issues need to be handled before liposuction takes place.
If any of the following sounds like you, liposuction surgery may be the perfect option for finally getting the right body contour.
When considering liposuction, you want to make sure to have a consultation with your surgeon to discuss all the options of your surgery. You’ll want to tell them all of the reasons that you’re unhappy so they can give you the right options for surgery. Your surgeon will then mark your body with the areas that liposuction can help which can be surprising if you’re not prepared for it. Your surgeon will do this again on the day of your procedure. Your surgeon will circle areas on your body that can benefit from liposuction and hashtag marks for areas that need to be avoided. Then, they’ll go over any questions you have and explain how your procedure will go.
At your consultation, you can also expect to see:
Don’t forget to also make a list of your health history and go over all the details with your surgeon. If you have any questions you want to go over, it’s nice to have a list on hand that helps you remember what to ask before your procedure takes place.
There are things that can help your surgery go smoother if you do them ahead of time. Prior to your liposuction surgery, make sure the following are all true:
For surgery day, you’ll be given a date and specific instructions to follow in the days before your procedure. These may include not eating before midnight before your procedure, avoiding aspirin and other medicines, and washing with a special surgical soap. Liposuction will be performed in an outpatient surgery center.
Depending on your specific liposuction technique, you will be given general anesthesia for your liposuction procedure. Your doctor will make small incisions and insert the cannula to begin the fat extraction process. Next, they will remove fat and sculpt the body to the desired outcome. Your incisions will then be closed. After your surgery, you may be wrapped in a compression type garment to help you heal and direct fat into the appropriate areas.
Liposuction times can range from minimal to intense depending on the number of areas you are treating. If your surgery is more involved, it could take up to two hours to finish.
Once your surgery is complete, the following can occur:
Results will be visible after 3 months of recovery and the fat that was removed will be gone indefinitely. Post-liposuction massage is very important and an essential part of your recovery. You will want to maintain an exercise and weight regimen that will help you keep extra weight off. Gaining weight can counteract your results. You’ll meet with your doctor for a follow-up appointment after your surgery.
As with any surgery, you’ll want to monitor for various side effects that can occur after a procedure like liposuction:
Your recovery from liposuction should go very well. You’ll have pain and swelling for a few weeks after surgery. You’ll be wrapped in a special garment that will help ease your pain and help your body heal. Pain maintenance after surgery will be discussed with your surgeon. You may also have bruising on various parts of your body where your incisions were made. Full recovery can take up to 3 months but you should be able to return to a normal routine just a few days after surgery. Until cleared by your doctor, you’ll want to avoid exercise, sexual activity and lifting at least for the first 6 weeks. Your doctor will give you any extra instructions for care during your recovery.
