Liposuction Guide

What it is: Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that treats areas of excess fat and usually improves contours. Liposuction removes fat, but it cannot eliminate dimpling or correct skin laxity. Liposuction is also referred to as Lipoplasty.

Inside this Guide
1. Who should consider Liposuction?		6. Recovery
2. Doctor Consultation: what to ask		7. Results: what to expect
3. Getting ready for Surgery		8. Potential Risks
4. During surgery		9. Cost
5. After surgery		10. Terminology to know

Who should consider Liposuction?

When considering Liposuction surgery as an option, the best candidates typically have one or both of the following conditions:

• Areas of fat deposits that are out of proportion with the rest of your body and do not go away with diet and exercise – so called “diet resistant fat”
• Areas with minimal amounts of excess skin (Liposuction removes fat not skin) and good skin elasticity 

• Stomach
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Love Handles
• Saddlebags
• Thighs
• Calves
• Ankles
• Breasts
• Back
• Arms
• Neck

 Liposuction surgery is equally effective for both men and women.

In addition to your surgeon conducting a medical history and physical examination, your doctor consultation is the time to ask questions.

• See the Liposuction consultation checklist
• Read about the experiences of others who've had Liposuction.  See real Liposuction reviews.

During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Pictures may be taken of you, especially if the areas that will be treated are on your posterior aspect (back, buttock, etc.). This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved. A determination of the elasticity of the skin will also occur.

A discussion concerning your ideal weight and realistic weight will most likely occur. Plans such as future pregnancies, etc. may be discussed.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions, allergies and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. should be reviewed as these medical conditions may increase some risks associated with surgery.

If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery since smoking can impair the healing process. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued before undergoing liposuction surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Liposuction surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours. If you are undergoing large volume of liposuction, it may be suggested that you be hospitalized even for one night.

Your liposuction surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications will be administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing liposuction surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. You will most likely be wearing a compression garment, usually used to help “shrink” the skin. Concerning postoperative pain, many patients state that the area feels sore, as if they underwent a vigorous work out. You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

First few days: You should rest quietly and if you can elevate the body part, it is usually suggested that you do so. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications. You most likely will wear a garment. If it is too tight you should promptly notify your surgeon. During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. The swelling persists longer. Straining, bending over and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period.

7 - 10 days after surgery: Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less.

Results: what to expect from liposuction

Liposuction surgery usually improves contours. In some instances it may be used in a circumferential fashion, thinning an area. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several months to get an accurate picture of the results of your surgery. The small incisions used for access of the instrument known as a cannula, will fade over a number of months usually becoming barely visible.

The results of liposuction surgery are usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by weight gain, aging, pregnancy and lifestyle factors.

Fortunately, significant complications from liposuction surgery are infrequent. Liposuction surgery is one of the two most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Most often this surgery is performed without experiencing any major problem.

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include:

• Hematoma
• Infection
• Changes in sensation
• Scarring
• Allergic reactions
• Damage to underlying structures
• Need for revisions
• Unsatisfactory results, possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks

Other risks more specific to Liposuction may include indentations and irregularities.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your Liposuction surgery.

Liposuction surgery cost can vary widely as reflected in the Liposuction Cost Data posted on RealSelf.com. A surgeon’s cost for Liposuction may vary based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used, as well as geographic office location.

• Surgeon’s professional fee
• Facility fee
• Anesthesia fee
• Medications
• Surgical garments
• Medical tests

• Cannula: A hollow tube attached to a high-vacuum device used to remove fat through liposuction. The plastic surgeon manipulates the cannula within the fat layers under the skin, dislodging the fat and "vacuuming" it out.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
• Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Superficial Syringe Liposculpture: Use of a syringe to withdraw fat, instead of vacuum suctioning pumps, allows for less blood loss and speedier postoperative recovery. Superficial syringe liposculpture is performed on the layer of fat just beneath the skin.