Liposuction Frequently Asked Questions

Liposuction, or lipoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess and undesired fat from beneath the skin's surface. The fat is removed with a vacuum in areas that have not responded to diet and exercise. Liposuction is not intended as a weight loss method, rather as a spot reduction and body contouring process.

• Is liposuction right for me?
• Can exercise replace liposuction
• Does the fat move to other areas after liposuction?
• What areas does liposuction most frequently treat?
• How is liposuction performed?
• How is the tumescent technique performed?
• Will the fat return after liposuction?
• What are the dangers of liposuction?
• How long of a recovery does liposuction take?
• Will I have scars from liposuction?

Is Liposuction Right For Me?
The results of liposuction can be used to reach a man or woman's ideal contours. While liposuction only results in a few pounds lost, the patient will usually experience a reduction in clothing size. The individual wishing to have a liposuction procedure should be close to their ideal weight but will have been unsuccessful removing problem areas or fat bulges through diet and exercise. People who have good skin elasticity may notice better results from liposuction because the skin is able to shrink to the reduced area that was treated.

Can Exercise Replace Liposuction?
While exercise is beneficial to an individual it will not always get rid of the areas that can be troublesome. Areas that can be problematic are sometimes due to inherited tendencies to store fat in spots. Exercise cannot always accomplish removing these spot areas of fat that liposuction can accomplish.

Does the Fat Move to Other Areas After Liposuction?
People have been misinformed about the results of liposuction. After the procedure the fat will not redistribute to other areas of the body.

What Areas Does Liposuction Most Frequently Treat?
Liposuction is most often performed on the thigh areas for women, as well as the stomach and buttock area. Men go in for liposuction most frequently to treat their love handles, as well as chest area.

How is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is performed by first administering an anesthetic to numb the area or put the patient to sleep. Normally, liposuction is an out patient surgery but some cases may require an overnight stay. Incisions are made in the areas that the fat will be removed with an instrument called a cannula. The cannula is inserted into the incisions and a suction will remove the fat as the surgeon moves the instrument back and forth. Incisions are then stitched up in a manner to best conceal the scars, which will eventually fade.

How is the Tumescent Technique Performed?
The tumescent technique for liposuction was developed as a variation to the traditional liposuction. An injection of salt water is made beneath the skin. The salt water contains an anesthetic and small amount of adrenaline to shrink the blood vessels. This solution will numb the tissues and shrink blood vessels so that the liposuction can be performed with a reduced amount of pain and post-operative swelling and bruising.

Will the Fat Return After Liposuction?
After a liposuction procedure is performed the fat will not come back unless the patient gains weight. Because the fat cells have been removed from the areas that the patient will not experience fat built up in one problematic spot, rather it will distribute more evenly over the entire body. Some people will gain weight after liposuction and notice that the fat has been built up in other areas as a result. The misconception that fat has just been redistributed to other body areas has resulted because of this.

What are the Dangers of Liposuction?
Liposuction is associated to risks and complications, as any surgical procedure is. While liposuction has been recognized as a safe and effective cosmetic surgery to remove spot areas of excess fat, infections, blood clots, skin loss, and even death is a risk. Complications due to the anesthetic administered prior to the liposuction can occur. Liposuction complications are not a common occurrence, especially when a board certified plastic surgeon has been chosen.

How Long of a Recovery Does Liposuction Take?
Usually within one day the patient is able to comfortably move around without assistance. Depending on the patient, though, recovery time can vary. If a larger area was treated for liposuction a few extra days of rest may be required. Return to regular activities, such as work should occur around the third day following liposuction. Exercise should not take place for at least a week or so, and when exercise has been resumed only light activities should occur. Contact and extreme activities should be avoided until otherwise advised. Each individual's surgeon will properly evaluate and direct the patient on when different routines can be resumed depending on their liposuction recovery speed.

Will I Have Scars From Liposuction?
Scars are a normal occurrence when incisions have been made. Liposuction is no different since it involves incisions, however the surgeon will carefully treat and place incisions in areas that are better concealed or in creases. Over time the scars from liposuction will begin to fade until they are hardly noticeable. There will always be a hint of a scar remaining after liposuction.

To learn more about liposuction surgery, please contact us.