What To Expect From Liposuction

Liposuction, also called “lipoplasty“ or “suction lipectomy,“ provides a way to remove fat cells from problem areas such as:

• Thighs

• arms

• abdomen

• chin

• cheeks

However, liposuction procedures are more about body contouring than about losing weight.

Some facts about fat

Once you’re an adult, the number of fat cells in your body stays relatively constant. When you add fat, your fat cells expand, and when you burn fat, they shrink. When fat cells are resistant to diet and exercise, removing the cells may be a way to combat the battle of the bulge. That’s the principle behind liposuction.

How liposuction works

Liposuction involves vacuum suctioning fat cells out of the body with a slender, hollow tube or “cannula.” The cannula’s inserted through a small incision (about a quarter of an inch), typically under local anesthesia.

Types of liposuction

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that takes from about 45 minutes to a couple of hours. The amount of time can vary with the type of procedure performed and your circumstances.

• In standard liposuction, a small amount of fluid is injected into the incision site to loosen fat cells.

• In tumescent liposuction, a larger amount of fluid is injected to make more space for the cannula to maneuver and to reduce bruising. The superwet technique is similar but uses a smaller amount of fluid.

• In ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), fat cells are broken apart with ultrasound before suctioning. An initial incision is still required to insert the cannula.

Recovering from Liposuction

As with any medical procedure, liposuction carries some risks. You should not have liposuction if you have diabetes, lung, heart, or liver disease, or if you are on medications that affect wound healing. You should have a thorough physical examination before undergoing liposuction.

What you can expect during recovery:

• There can be swelling and bruising.

• There may be some discomfort. Recovery time can vary from 3 days to a couple of weeks—everyone is different.

• You may have to wear a compression garment (like a girdle) for several weeks to decrease swelling and bruising.

• It can take up to six months to fully appreciate the results of a liposuction procedure.

What liposuction isn’t:

• Liposuction is not a miracle cure for obesity. A well-balanced diet and exercise are still required to maintain a desired weight, since fat cells that aren’t removed can still enlarge and cause bulges.

• Liposuction isn’t a way to get rid of cellulite or stretch marks.

• Liposuction isn’t free. Under most circumstances, liposuction is not covered by health insurance.

So although liposuction can improve body shape by removing fat bulges, it’s important to have reasonable expectations.

Picking the right plastic surgeon

It’s best to choose a physician who’s had experience with this type of cosmetic surgery. Look for a surgeon who belongs to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). A good plastic surgeon will be open to all your questions and will explain the risks associated with the procedure. Importantly, a good plastic surgeon will consider what type of procedure is best for you as an individual.