What is liposuction?

liposuction, also referred to as lipoplasty, is a surgical operation used to eliminate surplus fat from certain regions of the body. It is commonly employed to shape areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks, where regular diet and exercise efforts have been ineffective. Liposuction is a well-liked cosmetic procedure that can assist individuals in attaining a more slender and well-balanced physique.

Where on my body can I get liposuction?

Liposuction can be performed on any part of your body with accumulated fat deposits. Examples of commonly targeted areas include the following parts of your body:

• Abdomen, stomach or waist.
• Hips or the area commonly referred to as “love handles” (flank).
• Back or chest.
• Face, cheeks, chin or neck.
• Buttocks.
• Inner knee, calves or ankles.
• Thighs.
• Upper arms.

Am I a Good Candidate?

It is important to have practical expectations. Liposuction cannot eliminate cellulite, so if you expected to have none after the surgery, you will be disappointed.

To undergo liposuction, which is a surgical operation carrying inherent risks, it is imperative to be in a state of sound health. This implies that you must meet the minimum requirement of:

• Be within 30% of your ideal weight
• Have firm, elastic skin
• Not smoke

If you have problems with blood flow, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, doctors do not advise undergoing this procedure.

Different Types of Liposuction 

• In traditional fat removal procedures, a small tube called a cannula is inserted through small cuts in the skin. The cannula is then moved around to break down the fat cells, allowing them to be suctioned out of the body.
• Vaser Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that involves the use of ultrasonic energy. It utilizes small probes that emit sound waves to effectively disintegrate fat upon contact.
• When a patient has loose excess skin in their abdomen that needs to be removed, fat removal and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are often done together.

Is Liposuction Right for Me?

Liposuction is a technique that can assist individuals in slimming down and sculpting specific areas of excess fat. Although it can be effective for both males and females, the most favorable outcomes are typically achieved in patients with firm skin tone. This implies that there is minimal to no looseness in the skin of the targeted treatment area(s), resulting in a tight and well-defined appearance after fat removal. In general, liposuction may be worth considering if you:

• Want long-term results
• Set practical and achievable goals for what you hope to achieve
• Struggling to target challenging areas of your body using natural methods like eating well and exercising.
• Are you prepared to go through a short period of healing?

If someone has loose or sagging skin and needs to get rid of stubborn fat, it is recommended to consider combining liposuction with a body lifting procedure such as a tummy tuck. This will not only address the fat but also improve the quality of the skin. On the other hand, individuals who prefer to avoid surgery may opt for a non-surgical fat reduction treatment like CoolSculpting®. Dr. Miller will carefully listen to your goals and assist you in creating a treatment plan that suits your specific requirements.

What happens during liposuction surgery?

Prior to your liposuction surgery, your healthcare provider will administer anesthesia to you. It can be either local, only numbing the specific surgical area, or general, causing you to fall asleep. Anesthesia is provided to ensure that you do not experience any pain during the procedure.

After the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will create small cuts on your skin. Using a suction device connected to a tiny stainless steel tool called a cannula, they will go into the fatty regions between your skin and muscles. The surgeon will manipulate the cannula within your body to break up or dissolve the fat. Next, they will eliminate the excess fat by using a suction tube or a large syringe. Finally, the surgeon will seal the incision site with stitches that can either dissolve on their own or require removal later.

The specific process of your liposuction will vary depending on the type you are having. It can be done as an outpatient procedure in your doctor’s office or at a surgical facility. If your surgeon is removing a significant amount of fat, you may be required to go to a hospital and stay overnight. Even for an outpatient procedure, you will still need someone to drive you to and from the surgery. The duration of the liposuction surgery will depend on the amount of fat being removed and the number of areas being treated.

What is Recovery From Liposuction Like?

In the 2-3 days after surgery, patients usually encounter moderate pain and discomfort, but this can be alleviated with pain medication. To restrict their movement, most patients will have to wear compression garments. It is advised for patients to avoid unnecessary physical activity during this time.

The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery may still be present during the first 1-2 weeks, but it gradually decreases over time. It is possible for most patients to resume work during this period, as long as they avoid any vigorous activities. It is important to continue wearing compression garments and regularly monitor the incisions and fluid drainage.

Within 2 to 5 weeks after undergoing surgery, the pain should have completely diminished and you will start noticing the desired outcomes. Nevertheless, the treated areas may still be swollen and have visible bruising. It is important to note that all incisions should have fully healed by this point. At around week 3, most patients can gradually start engaging in light to moderate exercise. However, it is essential to continue avoiding high impact exercises.

After a period of 6 weeks following the surgery, the swelling and bruising that typically occurs after liposuction should have mostly subsided. This allows the patient to finally observe the outcome of their procedure. At this point, there is no longer a need to wear compression garments, and the patient can resume all kinds of physical activities.

Benefits of Liposuction 

Liposuction has the potential to greatly impact patients’ lives by boosting their self-assurance and enhancing their overall health and well-being. The advantages of undergoing this fat elimination surgery encompass the following:

• Increased confidence self-esteem 
• The desire to adopt a more sustainable way of living and take care of one’s well-being.
• The process of getting rid of stubborn fat that does not respond to diet and exercise.
• Contoured treatment areas  
• Helps to reduce excessive sweating and discomfort caused by friction.
• Being able to have a greater range of options when it comes to clothing.
• Body feels more in proportion 
• If patients continue to eat a nutritious diet and engage in regular physical activity, they can experience long-lasting advantages.

The patient must carefully search for an appropriate service provider, have information, and ask about the surgeon and his experience. And also, checking examples of his previous operations.

Accordingly, we encourage you to contact the Health & Beauty to obtain all information and details, and to ensure that you have your operation done by the hands of the most skilled doctors working in this specialty.

Request a free consultation.