What is Liposuction?
Liposuction Surgery (Lipoplasty) or lipo is a surgery performed to remove excess stubborn fat deposits from areas of the body that have refused to respond to exercises and diet.
These areas may include; the abdomen, thighs and hips, butts, upper arms, chin, and neck.
Liposuction can be done alone or along with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as Tummy tuck, mommy makeover or a facelift.
Surgeons sometimes use liposuction during breast reduction and treatment of gynecomastia as it allows rapid recovery with fewer complications.
Who are the Best Candidates for Liposuction?
Good candidates for liposuction are those patients with stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise.
Liposuction is not a weight loss alternative. However, one may lose little weight due to the removal of the excess mass of the extra body parts.
If you are obese or overweight and are looking for ways to lose weight, you can consider bariatric weight loss surgery procedures such as gastric bypass surgery.
You are a good candidate if:
- You are within 30% of your ideal weight
- Have elastic skin and good muscle tone
- you don’t have a life-threatening illness such as heart disease or any other that can impair healing
- Don’t smoke
- Have realistic expectations for the results
Who should not get liposuction?
You may not be a good candidate if:
- Your skin does not have good elasticity
- You smoke
- Are obese or overweight
- Can’t afford the costs
- Have an illness that may impair healing or cause complications
Benefits of having a Liposuction.
Liposuction has many benefits to the patients planning to go for one or who have undergone one.
Below are some of the benefits patients will get after undergoing liposuction.
- Great shape and more confidence – Unwanted excess fat in different areas of the body gets removed.
- It can help men who have excessive breast tissue.
- Improves general body appearance making one look young with great shape.
- For those patients who have excess sweating in their armpit area, liposuction can help treat this problem
- It can enhance your appearance in as little as a day.
How to Prepare for Liposuction
Before you go for a liposuction surgery, your board-certified surgeon may ask you to;
- Undergo a blood test to check if you can safely go under general anesthesia
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and other drugs that can increase bleeding
Look for a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon to conduct your surgery. Any surgery has potential risks. Going for an experienced surgeon will minimize associated risks and complications.
What Happens During the procedure?
During the liposuction surgery procedure;
- Step 1: Your surgeon will first administer either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia for your comfort during surgery.
- Step 2: He inserts small and thin tubes with blunted tips called cannulas through a small incision in your skin to loosen excess fat.
- Step 3: The loose fat deposits are then suctioned out of the area using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula
After surgery, you will experience some pain, bruising, and swelling. Your surgeon will give you antibiotics and painkillers to reduce pain.
He will also give you post-operation instructions to help you recover fast.
What are areas of the body subjected to Lipo?
Liposuction surgery can be conducted on the following parts of the body; Thighs, abdomen and waist, upper arms, chest area, cheeks, chin, and neck among others.
How much does liposuction cost?
How much liposuction cost varies. According to 2019 statistics from the American Society of plastic surgeons, the average cost of liposuction is $3,548.
Several factors affect the cost of liposuction. Some of these include;
- The size of fat and the area to be operated
- The surgeon performing your liposuction surgery
- Area of locality
- Number of liposuction procedures to be performed
Get more information about liposuction costs.
How long does it take to recover after undergoing liposuction?
Being an outpatient procedure, recovery for liposuction is relatively quick. Even though the recovery period from one person to another is not the same, many patients return to work after three to ten days.
After surgery, you will have bruises and swelling on the surgery area for 1-3 weeks. Learn how to reduce swelling after liposuction.
You will need someone to help you with your homework since you will not manage to work immediately.
If you are employed, seek permission as you will not be able to go to work.
You will feel numbness and soreness in the liposuction areas for several weeks as you will be healing slowly.
What are the risks involved during and after Liposuction surgery?
Liposuction surgery is good as it shapes your body to the desired looks.
However, there are risks involved during and after the surgery that is good to know before going for one.
- First and foremost, Patients may get skin infections resulting from liposuction that may need another surgery to fix.
- After the surgery, the healing process is slow as it involves bruises in the areas operated.
- Liposuction can cause thrombophlebitis. A condition that makes veins to be inflamed when a blood clot forms.
- Some patients may have allergic reactions.
- Patients may feel numb in some body areas for several weeks before healing.
The risks should not spread fear across your mind. Many people have undergone liposuction surgery and are fine.
Before having the surgery, you should first consult with your doctor to determine if it is safe for you.
Also, make sure a board-certified, experienced surgeon performs your surgery.
