Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty (“fat modeling”) or suction lipectomy (“suction-assisted fat removal”) is a cosmetic plastic surgery operation, which removes fat from many different areas of one’s body. The areas affected on the body can range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, arms and elsewhere. The fat is usually removed from the patient by a plastic surgeon using a cannula and aspirator.
Liposuction is definitely not a minimal effort alternative to exercise and a good diet. It is a form of body contouring with a significant amount of risks and is not a weight loss method. The amount of fat removed varies by plastic surgeon, the chosen method, and patient’s unique situation, yet typically less than ten pounds of fat are removed from one’s body.
There are several factors that will limit the amount of fat that can safely be removed in one surgery session. Ultimately, the cosmetic plastic surgeon and the patient make the decision together. There are negative aspects to removing too much fat during a liposuction procedure. Unusual “lumpiness” and/or “dents” in the patient’s skin can be seen in those patients that are “over-suctioned”. The more fat removed from one’s body, the higher risk of the surgery.
For all liposuction surgery methods, there are certain things that should be done when having the procedure:
* The candidate and the plastic surgeon will agree ahead of time on exactly which area(s) will be treated and both will discuss what outcome to expect
* A consent form is signed on the day of cosmetic surgery
* An antibiotic will be given approximately an hour before surgery, or afterwards
* The targeted areas are marked on the body while the candidate is in a standing position
* Sometimes photos will be taken of the area to be treated, so the patient will have before and after photos
* In the operating room, a sterilizing solution such as Betadine, is applied to the relevant areas
* A local anesthetic is injected and the patient may be given a sedative, either orally, or through an IV injection
* Incisions are small, about a quarter to a third of an inch
* The patient will probably have an IV fluid line, since they will be losing fluid with the fat, and the fluid balance must be kept intact
* There will be some monitoring devices attached to the patient’s body in order to keep track of the blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen level
* The patient will feel only a scraping or rasping sensation from the cannula movement
* Usually the patient can get up, walk around, and go home the same day if they did not receive general anesthesia, although they’ll need someone else to drive
Depending on the extent of the liposuction surgery performed, most patients are typically able to return to work or school anywhere between two days to two weeks post surgery. A compression garment or bandage is worn for two to four weeks.
Any pain can be controlled by a prescription or various over-the-counter medications, as the pains may last as long as two weeks, depending on the particular cosmetic procedure. Any bruising will typically fade after a few days, but can be as long as two weeks later. Swelling will typically subside anywhere from two weeks to two months, while numbness may last for several weeks after the liposuction surgery. Normal activities can be resumed within several days to several weeks after the surgery, depending on the magnitude of the liposuction procedure. The final results of the liposuction surgery will be evident from anywhere around one to six months after the cosmetic surgery has been performed, although the patient will see noticeable difference within days or weeks, as swelling continues to subside.
The suctioned out fat cells will be permanently gone. However, if the patient does not maintain a proper diet and exercise, the remaining fat cell bodies that neighbor the areas that had surgery could still enlarge, creating irregularities in the patient’s body.
If you are considering if liposuction cosmetic surgery will be of benefit to you, we suggest you click on one or more of the links below to connect with multiple cosmetic plastic surgeons about your situation in more detail…
