All About Liposuction

There’s no getting past the fact that stubborn fat is a pain. Particularly since all too often it can be unresponsive to either exercise or diet. It all just seems a little unfair, right? All that hard work and nothing to show for it. Well, if you’re in this boat, don’t lose hope, liposuction could be the answer to your prayers.

You see, in a nutshell, liposuction is a cosmetic procedure which specifically targets all those hard to shift fat deposits. As a result, frustrating problem areas such as muffin tops, double chins, or love handles can all be treated in a straightforward and safe manner.

One word of warning, however, don’t make the mistake of thinking of liposuction as a weight loss procedure. This is a common misconception. Instead, simply think of it as a great way in which to reshape those hard to reach problem areas and you’ll be on to a winner.

The Liposuction Procedure

The procedure itself involves a number of steps. Firstly, you will be anesthetized using either general or local anesthetic. In choosing which anesthetic to use, the surgeon will take into account the exact nature of the procedure as well as your own personal preference.

Next, you will receive an injection of tumescent fluid. This solution, which is made up of saline, epinephrine, and lidocaine, serves to fragment subcutaneous fat and, thereby, make it safer and easier to remove.

Following on from that, the surgeon will then proceed to make a very small incision into the target area. Sometimes, if the target area is quite large, the surgeon will, in fact, make a number of separate incisions. Either way, whenever possible, the surgeon will endeavour to make these incisions in natural skin folds. This helps ensure that postoperative scarring is less conspicuous.

The subsequent step also happens to be the most significant one. This is the point in the procedure, where the surgeon will get down to the business of removing the stubborn layer of fat. There are a number of ways in which a surgeon can go about this.

[Related article: Is Plastic Surgery Right For Me?]

One approach is for the surgeon to perform what is technically known as a suction-assisted lipectomy. This procedure entails using small tubes, known as cannulas, to simply suck out fat. Alternatively, in cases where the unwanted fat is uncommonly firm or dense, the surgeon may instead opt to perform power-assisted liposuction. This method uses fluid, lasers, or vibration to fragment and extract the excess fat.

When all the excess fat has been satisfactorily removed, all that remains is for the incisions to be closed using surgical sutures.

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

Let’s be unequivocal on this. Liposuction simply suits some people more than others. Ideally, you should be in good health, not smoke, have good skin elasticity, and be close to your goal weight.

After The Procedure

After the procedure, you can expect to experience some bruising, swelling, and tenderness around the surgical site. Bear in mind that recovery time is partly contingent on postoperative lifestyle choices. Proper hydration and rest can play key roles in accelerating recuperation. Likewise, smoking should be avoided.

Pain relief options will be outlined by the surgical team. In all probability, you will also be instructed to wear a compression garment. Wearing this will help to both relieve swelling and to train your skin to conform to your new body shape.

You should be able to return to physically undemanding work within 2-3 days of your surgery. Thereafter, you can expect to restart all normal activities at some point during a 2-4 week postoperative window.

What Benefits Can You Expect?

First of all, it pays to be mindful that not all of the benefits will be immediately apparent. As such, you should be aware that in some cases it can take several months for the initial postoperative swelling and bruising to completely fade.

Similarly, it also pays to be cognizant of the fact that liposuction doesn’t prevent fat cells from reforming. As a result, postoperative benefits can be maximized by following a healthy lifestyle.

When all is said and done, you can expect to look better and perhaps even feel more confident following surgery. Call (480) 733-3933 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yospur for your liposuction procedure today.