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How Are the Markings Done Before Liposuction?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Question viewed 734 times
Tags: marks, technique

Is there a certain way doctors mark you up before liposuction? Standard positions they have you stand in (or lay down) depending on the body area? I just want to get an idea of how most doctors do it so I know what to expect.

18 answers to How Are the Markings Done Before Liposuction?

Liposculpting Markings

The markings are done in the standing position and are drawn to outline the areas to be liposuctioned. Once your surgeon does his drawings, make sure you look at them and approve the areas to be liposuctioned and let him know if there are areas you want done that are not in the drawings so he can cover all the areas you want if possible in that surgery. Photos and measurements are taken then also. Some doctors take a set of photos before the markings are put on and a set after the markings... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Markings for liposuction

Patients are generally concerned with they way they appear in a mirror. However, surgery is usually accomplished in the supine (laying down) position. Therefore the prominent portions may not be noticeable when laying down. Think of the way breasts may fall to the side when you lay down. We often perform the markings with undergarments on to conceal the incisions within the covered portions.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Preoperative markings are the surgeon's preference

I am sure that each plastic surgeon has their own way of marking the patient. Markings mean something only to that particular plastic surgeon and they are used as guides during surgery. Do not worry about the marks. Ask to see a surgeon's results.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Markings before liposuction

Preoperative markings are to a Plastic surgeon what musical notes and an arrangement are to a musician. After consulting with the patient and having a clear idea of what we want to accomplish, we mark our patients in the standing position with the surgeon seated. Like a sculptor, we visualize the areas we want to reduce and we mark those with a series of concentric (circle with a circle) fashion.(Because it resembles military maps where the inner circle represents the highest elevation and... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings

Patients are typically marked in the standing position with the location and access of marks confirmed with the patient laying down. The surgery is performed either supine (on your back) or prone (on your stomach), so if the marks made in the standing position are no ammenable to the operative position, position changes may have to be made. They are made in concentric circles over areas of elevation like a topographic map. I do make fanning lines so that a smooth transition from one area to... more

Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings

Most of the time, liposuction markings are done standing up. Large circles are drawn over the areas to be suctioned, and the circles get small and smaller while concentrating on the most involved areas. Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Markings for liposuction

Markings for liposuction surgery is normally performed with the patient standing up. The areas that will be treated and discussed and concentric rings are drawn to show the areas of concentration. Each surgeon may have their own way of marking the patient. Communicate with your surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings will wash off

Surgical markings are an important prep for any liposuction procedure. The markings are usually done with the patient prior to administering anesthesia. They are usually done with the patient in a standing position. As I outline the areas of the proposed liposuction I am also able to get feedback from the patient. The markings vary in color (blue, purple, black) and shape and sizes. What we are doing is creating a set of reference points from which we can work from. Oh and don't worry... more

Robert Vitolo, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Marking the Patient for Liposuction before surgery

Dear Chilita While every doctor has his or her preference for how surgery is done, some things are fairly standard. I am a firm believer in marking the patient standing in front of a 3 way mirror. This allows the patient and me to once again look at the areas to be suctioned so there is no confusion or misunderstanding. It also allows patients to see what areas I can't correct. To me the markings are my surgical outline to give a patient the best possible result. Speak to your plastic... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings

While every plastic surgeon will have his or her own preferences, most will agree that markings for liposuction almost anywhere on the body should be done standing up. If the arms are being done, then the patient can be sitting, but with thier arms out a shoulder height and elbows bent 90 degrees. I like to confirm the incision sites with my patients, so those are the first marks I make. Make sure you know where your surgeon will be placing these incisions so they will be kept well hidden... more

Brian S. Glatt, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

No "standard" way.

It depends on area to be treated. However, the basic concept is to draw concentric rings around the fat pads to be treated. The smaller the ring, the thicker the fat in that area. Usually, I do this when the patient is standing. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings are done standing

Virtually all aesthetic surgery of the body is done to improve how it looks standing straight up. Therefore, the markings for liposuction are done standing. Each surgeon has their own marking scheme but generally it is like a topographic geology map with concentric circles drawn around the areas of interest with the smallest and most central circle being located at the high point of the map.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

A map for surgery

Pre-operative marking for liposuction is key in performing an accurate surgical procedure. It is similat to a map with circles indicating the areas requiring lipousction. I use a plus and minus signs to indicate areas that should be avoided or even injected with some fat to correct dimpling or previous liposuction. Best of luck!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings

Before the patient undergoes the procedure, I usually outline the areas that we discussed to treat. I mark the areas for suctioning and delineate the areas that need the maximum suctioned. I will also mark most of the incisions necessary to gain access for the procedure. Sometimes the procedure can be performed with the patient supin( on their back). Other times the patient needs to either be on their side or lying prone( stomach down).

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction markings.

Hi! The markings before liposuction are very important, and they must be done with you standing. The idea is to create a topographical map. I mark the top of each bulge, and then I draw concentric circles around the initial mark, until I reach the edge of the area to be treated. I also mark any dents, irregularities, and areas of cellulite that need attention.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Markings

I discuss again the day of surgery where we will be liposuctioning and then draw out the areas with a sharpie pen. I draw circles around the areas to be addresses and then circle within the circles which demonstrate to me where I will be liposuctioning the most, which is the most inner circle. I also go over the incision markings as well with the patient. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

The night before surgery I usually mark the patient in the office with their input.

Even thought I have consulted and met with patient several times before surgery, I feel it is important to take time the day before surgery to go over the planed surgery and answer any further questions. Then in the examination room with the patient standing and in front of a full length mirror I mark the areas of proposed liposuction with concentric circles which like a topographic map demonstrates the areas of proposed suction and the different amounts. At the same time I will mark the... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction marking

Most physicians do their marking in a standing position. The areas to be treated are marked, by first circling the entire area, and then according to where the bulges are, with several concentric circles, almost like a topographic map, with the highest area in the center of the circle. The location of the incisions are also marked.