Liposuction
Liposuction is a cosmetic technique that eliminates fat that is resistant to dietary and activity changes.
To modify the shape of your hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, back, arms, and beneath the chin or face, a plastic or dermatologic surgeon typically performs the treatment. But other cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts, breast reductions, and stomach tucks, can also be combined with liposuction.
Who is a Good Candidate for liposuction?
You should have reasonable expectations. If you anticipated to emerge from surgery without any cellulite, you’re out of luck because liposuction won’t remove it.
Since liposuction is a surgical procedure, there are dangers involved. Therefore, you must be in good health to receive it. Thus, you must at the very least:
- Try to stay within 30% of your ideal weight.
- possess supple, elastic skin
- No smoking
What Must I Understand Beforehand?
Consultation with your surgeon should be your initial step. Discuss your objectives, the available options, the pros and cons, expenses, and dangers. Ask any question you have.
Your surgeon will provide you with preparation guidelines if you decide to proceed with liposuction. Dietary and alcohol restrictions may be among them.
Any allergies you have and any drugs you take, including over-the-counter remedies and herbal supplements, should be disclosed to your surgeon. A few weeks before surgery, they’ll probably advise you to stop taking certain medications, like blood thinners and some types of painkillers.
What Can I Anticipate?
Your doctor’s office or a surgical facility may both do the liposuction procedure. Make sure the location where you’re having it done is recognized for its high professional standards, security, and effective results.
On the day of the procedure, you’ll be sent home. Make sure you have a ride home after the event. (If you’re having a significant amount of fat removed, you should have the procedure done in a hospital, where you might spend the night.)
Your doctor may designate the parts of your body that will be treated prior to beginning the liposuction procedure. They might also snap pictures that will be used for later side-by-side comparisons.
Next, you’ll either receive a “local” or general anesthetic, which will keep you unconscious during the treatment.
Liposuction Techniques
The most popular method is tumescent liposuction. The area where the fat is to be removed is injected with a sterile solution by your surgeon. Saline, or salt water, lidocaine, and epinephrine are all components. The remedy reduces discomfort and blood loss while making it simpler to suction the fat.
Under your skin, UAL uses sound wave energy to burst the fat cells’ cell walls. The fat is liquefied as a result, allowing for suctioning.
In laser-assisted liposuction, also known as SmartLipo, a laser is used to liquefy the fat by producing a burst of energy.
What Is the Recovery Time?
Depending on the kind of surgery you underwent, you might not need to spend the night in the hospital. But for at least a few weeks, you should anticipate bruising, swelling, and pain.
For one to two months after surgery, your surgeon might advise you to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling.
To avoid infection, you’ll probably also need to take some antibiotics. The majority of people can resume their normal activities within two weeks and return to work within a few days. However, each person is unique.
What Are the Risks?
Cosmetic surgery is still surgery, so there are some risks. You can help reduce them by making sure it is done only by a specially trained, board-certified cosmetic surgeon.
- There are several possible risks directly related to liposuction that you still have to consider, including:
- Bleeding
- Complications from anesthesia
- Shock (usually from not getting enough fluid during surgery)
- Fluid accumulation (pockets of fluid forming under the skin)
- Infections (strep, staph)
- Fat embolism (when tiny pieces of fat break away and block blood flow)
- Burns from instruments
- Uneven fat removal
- Reactions to lidocaine
- Change in skin sensation; numbness
- Damage to nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
What Is the Recovery Time?
Depending on the kind of surgery you underwent, you might not need to spend the night in the hospital. But for at least a few weeks, you should anticipate bruising, swelling, and pain.
For one to two months after surgery, your surgeon might advise you to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling.
To avoid infection, you’ll probably also need to take some antibiotics. The majority of people can resume their normal activities after two weeks and return to work within a few days. However, each person is unique.
