LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction Procedures 

Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction 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 the thighs, arms, neck, hips, waist, back, inner knee, chest, cheeks, chin, 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.

WHAT LIPOSUCTION WON’T DO:

Liposuction surgery 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 — Woman Pinching Her Tummy in Orlando, FL

IDEAS TO THINK ABOUT TO LEARN IF LIPOSUCTION IS GOOD FOR YOU…

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves removing extra body fat. Some of the advantages that one can get from this surgery are that it could improve the look and shape of the body. Lipo treatment is now one of the most well-known surgical procedures executed worldwide. However, like any other form of surgery, it has its own set of dangers and, since it is a delicate medical procedure, it involves careful thought on the part of the client.
  • Choose which parts of the body you desire the surgery to be performed on
  • Be aware of the limitations of the treatment

LIPOSUCTION RISKS AND SAFETY INFORMATION

The decision to have liposuction is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

POSSIBLE LIPOSUCTION RISKS INCLUDE:

  • Uneven contours
  • Rippling or loose skin
  • Skin or nerve damage
  • Irregular pigmentation
  • Infection
  • Fat clots
  • Blood clots
  • Excessive fluid loss or fluid accumulation
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty technique
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding (hematoma)
  • Change in skin sensation
  • Skin discoloration or swelling
  • Asymmetry
  • Pain, which may persist
  • Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
  • Poor wound healing
  • Persistent swelling in the legs
  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
  • Possibility of revisional surgery

IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?

If you are bothered by excess fat deposits – located anywhere on your body – that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction may be right for you.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION ARE:

  • Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
  • Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
  • Non-smokers
  • Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring
Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your liposuction procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

BE CAREFUL

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery and minimizing liposuction complications. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing in order to minimize the side effects of liposuction surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

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.

In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid.

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.

A special note: Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when large amounts – usually more than 5 liters of fat – are suctioned.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
  • Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
  • What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
  • Are stitches removed? When?
  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
  • When do I return for follow-up care?
Liposuction recovery, when you go home if you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
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