The decision to have liposuction surgery should be an informed one. Knowing and understanding exactly what liposuction is, what the surgery entails and what you can expect from your procedure should be an important part of your planning process. Here are 5 things you need to know before you decide whether liposuction is right for you.
1. What Is Liposuction, Exactly?
Simply put, liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses suction to remove excess body fat. Your surgeon will create a small incision in the area of your excess fat and insert a cannula which is a small stainless-steel tube to remove the excess fatty tissue. It’s minimally invasive and typically done under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will discuss your aesthetic goals and help you decide on the best treatment to achieve them.
2. Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction Surgery?
The best candidates for liposuction surgery are generally healthy people who are already close to or at their goal weight. Liposuction is not a weight loss method. It’s a plastic surgery procedure meant to help remove small pockets of stubborn fat that aren’t responding to regular exercise and healthy diet.
The healthier you are for the procedure, the better. Smoking can also impact your surgery and results, so it’s a good idea to drop nicotine from your routine.
Liposuction should not be seen as an avenue for weight loss or a substitute for healthy diet and exercise.
3. How Can I Prepare for Lipo Surgery?
At your consultation, your plastic surgeon will go over what to expect before, during and after lipo surgery and how you can prepare for each stage.
A few things can do well in advance are:
- Establish healthy eating habits and an exercise regimen. Having these habits in place before your surgery can help support better recovery and encourage long-lasting results.
- Request leave from work. More than likely, you will need to take a few days from work immediately after your liposuction surgery.
- Recruit a little help. You’ll need a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery and to help with your household chores and post-operative care in your initial recovery phase. Make sure you let them know well advance as they may need to request days off as well.
- Meal-prep. Having meals ready to go will make your recovery period that much easier when the times comes.
Doing your prep work beforehand, and following your plastic surgeon’s guidelines can help encourage a better recovery and results.
4. What Is Recovery Like?
As with all surgeries, your liposuction recovery is going to be unique to you. Some swelling and bruising after your procedure is normal. You may need to wear a compression garment for several days to weeks to help reduce swelling. Depending on the area where you had liposuction, you may also need to adjust your sleeping position and exercise habits.
Some helpful tips to supporting a successful recovery are to make sure you get lots of rest and stay current with your follow-up appointments and follow your surgeon’s instructions.
5. What Results Can I Expect from Liposuction Surgery?
Before your surgery, you and your surgeon will discuss the kind of results you can expect to see after liposuction. Following surgery, swelling can camouflage your new shape as your body will need time to heal. Even after the recovery period, it can take several weeks to a few months for the swelling to subside. Although recovery and result timelines vary from person to person, many experience final results around 6 months after their procedure.
With a greater understanding of how liposuction surgery works and what you can expect from the procedure, you can be better prepared to talk to your surgeon about lipo and whether or not it’s right for you and your goals.
Dr. Small runs Ocean Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. The mission of the practice is to provide exemplary holistic care through innovation, technical skill and compassion with unparalleled service. He provides comprehensive cosmetic, laser skincare and reconstructive services.
