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Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas.
Liposuction is used to remove fat from areas of the body that haven’t responded to diet and exercise, such as the:
Liposuction isn’t recommended for people who have conditions that could complicate surgery, including:
As with any major surgery, liposuction carries risks, such as bleeding and a reaction to anesthesia. Possible complications specific to liposuction include:
The risk of complications increases if the surgeon is working on larger surfaces of your body or doing multiple procedures during the same operation. Talk to your surgeon about how these risks apply to you.
Before the procedure, discuss with your surgeon what to expect from the surgery. Review your medical history, list any medical conditions you have, and tell the surgeon about any medications, supplements or herbs you’re taking.
Your surgeon will recommend that you stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or NSAIDs, at least two weeks prior to surgery.
If your procedure requires the removal of only a small amount of fat, the surgery might be done in an office setting. If a large amount of fat needs to be removed — or if you plan to have other procedures done at the same time — the surgery might take place in a hospital followed by an overnight stay. In either case, arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Expect some pain, swelling and bruising after the procedure. Your surgeon might prescribe medication to help control pain and antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. You also might need to wear tight compression garments, which
help reduce swelling, for a few weeks.
Typically, recovery is relatively quick after liposuction:
After liposuction, swelling typically subsides within a few weeks. By this time, the treated area should look less bulky. Within several months, expect the treated area to have a leaner appearance.
Liposuction results are
generally long lasting if you maintain your weight. If you gain weight after liposuction, your fat distribution might change. For example, you might accumulate fat around your abdomen regardless of what areas were originally treated.
The incisions are usually placed within the natural folds of the skin so that they are virtually undetectable after healing has progressed. The parts of the body that are treated determine where the incisions are placed. The incisions will vary between 1⁄8″ up to 1⁄2″ inch depending on the type of cannula and technique used.
How much weight difference will there be after liposuction surgery?Fat tissue is not extremely dense or very heavy, thus removing three to five liters of fat from your body will not result in significant weight loss. The difference will be in your body contour, usually in inches and how your clothes fit. You may even initially gain a small amount of weight in the immediate postoperative period due to fluid that is given during surgery. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, but it can permanently change body proportion and eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise.
How much bruising and swelling is there in the immediate postop period and how are garments used?Liposuction of the soft tissues produces a fair amount of bruising and swelling. Compression garments or elastic bandages are extremely helpful in controlling and minimizing swelling. Usually, garments are worn anywhere from two weeks
to three months depending on the areas treated. You may remove the garments to bathe.
During the first week, the swelling will be greatest and then gradually subside. After several weeks, your bruises will fade and disappear,
and your sensation will return to normal. You may return to non-strenuous work after a week and resume your normal exercise and activities after two to three weeks
