
Liposuction
What is liposuction?
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your self-image.
Despite good health and a reasonable level of fitness, some people may still have a body with disproportionate contours due to localized fat deposits. These areas may be due to family traits rather than a lack of weight control or fitness.
Liposuction surgery can be used to treat stubborn fat pockets in many parts of the body including:
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Abdomen and waist
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Thighs, hips and buttocks
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Arms, neck and backInner knee
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Chest
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Cheeks and chin
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Calves and ankles
In some cases, liposuction is performed alone, in other cases it is used with plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and is not a replacement for regular exercise and good eating habits. People with stubborn areas of fat and who exercise regularly are the best candidates for this procedure.
Liposuction recovery
Once your procedure is completed, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas. These help to control swelling after liposuction and compress the skin to your new body contours.
You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for the surgical site(s), medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
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Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
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What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
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Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
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When will they be removed?Are stitches removed?
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When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
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When do I return for follow-up care?
Liposuction procedure steps
What happens during liposuction surgery?
Step 1 – AnesthesiaMedications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incisionLiposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.First, sterile liquid solution is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion.The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.Problem areas that can be addressed with liposuction:
Step 3 – See the resultsYour improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained. However, substantial weight gain can alter an otherwise permanent result.
Preparing for liposuction surgery
Before liposuction, you may be asked to:
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Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
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Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
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Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
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Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
Special instructions you receive will cover:
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What to do on the day of surgery
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The use of anesthesia during your liposuction
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Post-operative care and follow-up