What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that improves the shape and contour of the body by literally removing fat from selected areas. Liposuction can also reduce bulk and produce more natural skin contours at the site of a previous surgery or trauma.
What areas of the body can be treated with Liposuction?
Almost all areas where excess or unwanted fat is located. Facial areas such as goose neck or double chin, upper arms, breasts (men), abdomen (upper and lower), flanks (love handles), hips, thighs (inner and outer), knees, calves and ankles.
How long does the Liposuction procedure take?
Liposuction takes an average of 2-4 hours dependent upon the areas of the body and the amount of fat to be removed.
Is the Liposuction procedure painful?
All procedures are performed using local anesthesia known as the tumescent anesthesia technique and oral sedation (if desired) can also be administered. The purpose of this is to have the patient awake and alert during the procedure, and allows the patient to see the results immediately after the procedure. Using the above type of anesthesia allows liposuction to be performed with safety and with minimal discomfort.
Are compression garments necessary after the procedure?
Compression garments (not noticeable under clothing) must be worn over the treated areas for up to six weeks depending on the amount of fat removed and the elasticity of the skin in order for the fascia of the skin to reattach itself. This helps the body to conform to its new contour.
Does Liposuction cause bruising?
Although some bruising should be expected, the latest liposuction techniques, instrumentation and medication considerably minimizes edema (swelling/fluid retention) and excessive bruising. Patients who bruise very easily are not very common and are consulted in advance to determine their susceptibility.
Will I lose weight by having Liposuction?
Weight loss should not be expected and may be minimal, as body fat weighs very little compared to muscle. You will simply look better, become slimmer, and appear more “sculpted” in the areas that you have treated.
In what timeframe after Liposuction can I resume my exercise regimen?
Walking is encouraged in as little as a few hours after surgery. Strenuous exercise is not recommended for at least one or two weeks, although tolerance levels vary greatly with each individual, and the extent of the surgery.
Can Liposuction help people who are overweight?
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and is contraindicated for individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30. However, in some cases, mere fat-volume reduction (from a series of procedures) can boost a person’s self esteem and be a major incentive for you to effectively manage your weight and to exercise more regularly. From a medical perspective, fat cells rank high in being associated with your body’s overall cellular inflammation levels, and reducing one’s fatty tissue indeed has many beneficial effects.
Is Liposcuction safe and as effective for both men and women?
Liposuction is very safe and equally effective for both sexes.
Will Liposuction improve cellulite or stretch marks?
Liposuction will not improve cellulite or stretch marks and could make the appearance of cellulite more pronounced. Cellulite and stretch marks are not related to fat accumulation beneath the skin, but is directly related to the subcutaneous (underneath) fat layer of the skin and not the adipose fat that liposuction treatments target. Cellulite and stretch marks typically have a underlying venous components, and the treatments for both are different than Liposuction.
How much does the Liposuction procedure cost?
Every person is different and the fees are dependent upon the number of areas to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, and if additional conjunctive therapies are recommended and used for your overall treatment.
Does Liposuction have any limitations?
The primary limitation of the Liposuction procedure is that if the skin quality is poor and lacks elasticity, the skin cannot retract as effectively, and excess skin may be present or remain as a what’s called a “redundant fold”.
Another limitation is judging the exact amount of fat to remove. If too little fat is removed, a bulge or excess fat may remain (though it will obviously be smaller). If too much fat is removed, a permanent indentation may occur that will require additional treatments. It is fairly simple to go back and take a little more fat away, but much harder to put fat back in. For this reason, and to err on the side of caution, it’s better to leave a little fat in than take too much away.
How soon can I go back to work after the Liposuction procedure?
Most people will be recommended to take one or two days off from work, though there are exceptions where individuals have returned to work the next day. The Doctor will discuss with you the extent of possible unfavorable results of your surgery and when you can return to work. Certain occupations are more strenuous than others, and will require special consideration as to the tasks you perform at your job. It is generally a rule of common sense to take off more time to adequately recover, than to return to work too quickly.
Will the fat removed after Liposuction come back?
After puberty, our bodies become “set” with a fixed number of fat cells (these fat cells increase in size when we put on weight, and conversely shrink when we lose weight). When fat cells are removed through liposcuction procedures we used to think that they could not return. We now know that fat cell numbers are able to again increase with excess calorie intake (associated with a poor diet). Initially if you have liposuction of your abdomen and you overeat or eat poorly, you will store fat in other areas, commonly in the upper arms and breast areas. If caloric excess is maintained as an adult, then excess fat may again be deposited in the liposuction area. The Doctor will discuss a plan with you, so you can maintain looking your best.
