Your Guide to Liposuction

Liposuction is a medical procedure that makes it possible to reshape and slim specific parts of your body. This procedure involves removing fat deposits from the target areas. By removing excess fat, liposuction makes it possible to enjoy a body with better proportion and contours.

The waist, abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs are all areas that can be improved with the help of liposuction. And although they aren’t quite as common choices, ankles, calves, neck, chin, cheeks, chest, inner knee, back and upper arms are all candidates for liposuction as well.

A common question about liposuction is whether or not it can be done at the same time as another surgical procedure. While there are specific factors that need to be evaluated by a doctor before a definitive answer can be given, as a general rule of thumb, liposuction can be done in conjunction with other procedures like a tummy tuck, breast reduction or facelift.

The Limits of Liposuction

For the right candidate, liposuction can result in significant body improvements. However, it’s important to understand that this procedure isn’t a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise. For individuals struggling with obesity, it’s important to find the right treatment before liposuction may potentially be an option.

The other limitation of liposuction is it doesn’t work for treating cellulite. For individuals with issues like saggy skin or dimples on their buttocks or hips, the best choice is for them to consult with a professional about other treatment options.

Recovering from Liposuction

Since the extent of liposuction can vary greatly, there’s not a single recovery period that applies to everyone. That being said, it’s common to have dressings or bandages on after liposuction, as well as a compression garment. In terms of recovery, expect to see your body change over the course of several months as your swelling slowly goes away completely.

How to Prepare For This Procedure

Although your surgeon will give you a detailed list of what to do prior to the day of your liposuction, there are a few general best practices worth sharing. The first is to stop smoking. Even if you can’t kick the habit for good, temporarily stopping prior to having liposuction is very beneficial. The other main change to keep in mind is to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin in advance of your liposuction. Avoiding these medications will decrease your risk of bleeding. Also, be sure that you have someone to drive you home after the procedure. And if at all possible, have someone who can stay with you on the first night after your liposuction.

Get the Best Results with Minimal Discomfort

Most of what we’ve covered so far applies to standard liposuction. However, thanks to advances in this field, there’s a new form of liposuction that utilizes a laser or ultrasound device. Because this type of liposuction minimizes the invasiveness of the procedure, the recovery time is generally much easier. If you want to get great results with as little pain as possible, be sure to schedule a consultation with a doctor who specializes in Vaser liposuction.