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Liposuction

Find Out if Liposuction Is Right for You

Liposuction is a very common and popular procedure. It is designed for the permanent removal of fatty tissue, commonly referred to as cellulite. An elective procedure, it allows the plastic surgeon to remove undesirable and subcutaneous fat in isolated areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. These areas include the following:

  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen
  • Knees
  • Ankles
  • Face
  • Neck

Individuals who have fatty deposits and good skin tone are more likely to have a successful fat removal procedure. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity. If weight gain occurs following the surgery, we will deposit the fat in untreated areas and repeat the procedure if necessary. To maintain the safety of the procedure, there is a limit on how much fat we can remove at one time.

The following factors can affect the results:

  • Physical Condition
  • Genetic Makeup
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol Intake
  • Skin Elasticity

Liposuction can improve body contours made irregular by fat. However, it cannot correct contours that are irregular for other reasons, such as a hernia or muscle weakness. When combined with other procedures, liposuction can correct these other deformities with good results.

Ideal Candidates

  • Adults within 30% of their ideal body weight who have firm elastic skin and good muscle tone
  • Individuals without life-threatening illnesses or conditions that impair healing
  • Non-smokers
  • People with realistic expectations

The Procedure

We perform liposuction under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in a hospital or surgical center. In the areas to be treated, the surgeon makes discreet incisions that are less than a half-inch. He inserts a cannula in a small incision and attaches it to a suction machine. The procedure may take an hour or more, depending on how many areas are involved.

Recovery

Recuperation from liposuction is relatively easy. Expect a fair amount of swelling and bruising in the following two weeks. You will wear special garments provided to apply pressure, minimize swelling, and provide support while healing. These garments also assist in the retraction of the skin. We will remove the stitches in 7 to 10 days.

Results are recognizable almost immediately and will continue to improve as swelling subsides. The day after surgery, you can be up and walking around. Increase your movement daily until full activity is resumed at two to four weeks. You will be ready to return to office work in 3 to 5 days and more active employment at 10 to 14 days.

Avoid the sun until all bruising has subsided. Use a sunscreen routinely since it is easy to get sunburned during recovery because of decreased sensation.

The results of liposuction are not always permanent. If you were to gain a large amount of weight, you might note rippling in the treated areas, depending on your skin elasticity.

Possible Complications

As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Cosmetic complications include the following:

  • Contour Irregularities
  • Skin Discoloration
  • Asymmetry
  • Scar Tissue
  • Tape Burns
  • Collection of Blood
  • Fluid Under the Skin

Uncommon Complications

  • Loss of Sensation
  • Skin Breakdown
  • Fat Embolism
  • Serious Infection
  • Shock

Bleeding does occur during liposuction. The amount of fat that a surgeon can safely remove in a given procedure is limited.

Following liposuction, the scar will go through a maturation process. During the first 8 to 12 weeks, they may be red and possibly raised. The scars will mature over two to six months and become pale, flat, and soft. You may experience numbness, burning, and tingling around the incision site. These symptoms are usually temporary. Always keep scars out of the sun and use sunscreen.

Please let us know if you are prone to keloid scars.

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