Liposuction can provide dramatic results, and help people get rid of stubborn fat to sculpt and contour their bodies. For that reason, it is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. That said, there’s a lot you should know if you think liposuction is the next step on the path to your best self. Here are six tips to help light the way.
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Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon
With so many practices offering liposuction, it’s incredibly important to be discerning when choosing who you’ll trust to do yours. Insist on an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has lots of positive feedback from past patients.
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Prepare Yourself for Liposuction
As your surgery date nears, make a list of what you need to get done before the big day to make sure you’re ready for liposuction:
- Take good care of yourself. As you prepare to have liposuction, make choices that will keep you in the best condition for your surgery and recovery. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke cigarettes, you’ll have to quit for at least 45 days before surgery. Nicotine causes your risk for complications to go up, and could slow your recovery.
- Get organized. Prepare your recovery space and make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks, water and any other supplies you need close at hand. Further, make sure you’ll have help with household duties, childcare and anything else you need to ensure you can rest while you recover.
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Liposuction Alone May Not Be Enough
For people with stubborn fat pockets, liposuction can produce amazing outcomes. For others, particularly those who have lost a great deal of weight or carried children, excess or sagging skin may be a problem. Therefore, many people choose to have abdominal liposuction in combination with a tummy tuck.
Your plastic surgeon can combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to give you a more beautifully contoured midsection.
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Know What to Expect During Liposuction Recovery
Many people feel apprehensive about having liposuction because of the recovery. While each person’s recovery experience is different, most are able to easily manage any pain and discomfort.
- Liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you will be able to return home the same day.
- The first seven to ten days following your liposuction procedure, you’ll experience some pain and swelling and will need to follow strict activity restrictions. Your plastic surgeon will most likely give you prescription medications to help you stay comfortable. You should be able to return to work after a few days or so.
That said, be prepared to wear a compression garment(s) for the first 4-6 weeks subsequent to your surgery.
- After about two to four weeks, you should be easing back into your normal routine. However, you’ll probably be restricted from heavy lifting or overly strenuous activities for some time.
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Don’t Expect Instant Results
You’re not going to wake up the day after surgery ready to hit the pool. The tissues in the areas you had treated may continue to have some residual swelling for several months after liposuction. Some people’s results don’t reach their final stage until six months or even a year after surgery. Be sure to be patient.
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Your Liposuction Results Can Last Long-Term
Your beautiful post-liposuction results may not stay looking that way if you don’t work at it. Continue to practice the good habits you exercised prior to surgery. Sleep well, eat healthy and work out regularly. Avoid too much stress, and remember how important self-care is to your health, appearance and well-being.
Dr. David Kaufman earned a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with distinction, the highest academic honor. As an active duty naval special warfare officer, he served our nation for four years, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. He then attended Harvard Medical School, receiving his medical doctor degree in 1996. From there, he entered and completed postdoctoral surgical training in a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kaufman’s diverse surgical experience and skill enables him to choose procedures and techniques to best suit each patient. Consider him and his practice, Kaufman Plastic Surgery, if you are looking for a plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area.
