Table of Contents
What is Liposuction?
The Procedure
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM LIPOSUCTION?
- You are at a healthy weight for your height
- You desire to slim down specific body areas
- You have good skin elasticity
Liposuction is capable of treating localized fat deposits in the stomach, buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts, arms, back and neck. Lipo can also be used to treat gynecomastia, or swelling of the breast tissue, in males patients.
Prior to electing liposuction, it is important for patients to be in good health. Realistic cosmetic expectations and goals are also key to patient satisfaction. The best candidates for liposuction are fully committed to healthy lifestyle changes such as a proper diet and regular exercise so they can maintain the benefits of liposuction.
The only way to find out if liposuction is right for you is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. During your consultation, be prepared to discuss factors such as your medical history, current medications and aesthetic goals.
WHAT YOUR LIPOSUCTION CONSULTATION WILL BE LIKE
Dr. Williams will conduct a thorough physical examination of the areas that you have identified for liposuction treatment. He will customize a surgical plan to achieve your aesthetic goals. The cost for the liposuction treatment can also be discussed during the consultation. Do not hesitate to ask questions.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR SURGERY
Liposuction surgery can be performed under a local or general anesthetic. Once you’ve been sedated, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Williams will begin by making a small incision in the treatment area. A cannula (a small tube) attached to a vacuum device will then be inserted into the incision. Using gentle back and forth motions, Dr. Hlavacek will break up and suction out excess fat.
Incisions will be closed with sutures. Temporary drains may be placed at incision sites to collect excess fluid. The treatment area will then be wrapped in a tight-fitting elastic compression garment to reduce swelling and bruising.
BEFORE & AFTERS
RECOVERY AFTER LIPOSUCTION
Most patients are able to return home the same day of surgery. You will experience some discomfort and tenderness in the treatment area. Moderate bruising and redness is also common for the first several days. If a large area has been treated with liposuction, your cosmetic surgeon may provide you with pain medication to manage discomfort.
Swelling may obscure the final results of your liposuction for several weeks. A compression garment may be recommended to minimize swelling and help the skin better conform to the new underlying contours. It is important to get plenty of rest for the first few days, but most patients are able to resume normal activities within 10 days.
Rigorous physical activity may be restricted for several weeks. Because the incisions made during liposuction are small and often concealed in the natural contours of the body, scarring will be minimal.
UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF LIPOSUCTION
All surgical procedures, including liposuction surgery, present a degree of risk and uncertainty. These risks will be discussed with you in depth during the consultation process. Some potential risks associated with liposuction may include infection, blood clots, hematoma, seroma, nerve damage, excessive swelling and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
RESULTS
Results will not be obvious during the first few weeks. Patients may feel like they gained weight and look bloated after the liposuction procedure due to the swelling in the treated area. In addition, fluids will replace the removed body fat; excess fluid will be removed through drains placed during the liposuction treatment.
Once the excess fluid is no longer present and the swelling has subsided, the patient will be able to see the results of the liposuction procedure. The final results can be seen one to three months after the treatment.
When excess fat is removed, it cannot return, and because of this, results are permanent. Patients who are committed to a proper diet and regular exercise can preserve the quality of their results.
COST OF LIPOSUCTION
The cost of this procedure depends on a few factors, like the amount of tissue removed, the length of the surgery, the technique used, and other variables. If you have any questions about the price of this procedure, be sure to ask Dr. Williams during your consultation.
For patients coming in for body contouring with a comprehensive Lipo360 procedure, cost starts at $8,500. Find out more about this option during a consultation.
