Liposuction surgery

When exercise and eating right aren’t enough to get rid of stubborn fat deposits, liposuction (lipoplasty) can reshape certain parts of the body by suctioning out fat cells.

Liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgery treatment, which suctions out stubborn fat deposits that won't go away with exercise and eating right. In 2018 plastic surgeons performed more than 250,000 liposuction procedures in the U.S.

However, liposuction surgery is not an effective treatment for cellulite, the dimpled skin that often appears on the thighs, hips and buttocks. Ask your doctor about other plastic surgery methods to treat cellulite.

Liposuction is also not a substitute for getting to your goal weight or a treatment for obesity. If you’re considering surgery to help you overcome a serious weight problem, find out more about major weight loss cosmetic surgery.

Request an appointment or more information about liposuction surgery from one of our laser and cosmetic surgery clinics.

Liposuction preparation for best results

Properly preparing for fat removal with liposuction surgery will help you get the best results. Here are some ways to get ready for your liposuction procedure:

• Reach your goal weight: Be sure to hit your goal weight several months before your liposuction. This is the weight you’ll want to continue to maintain after your liposuction surgery in order to maximize your results and look your best.
  
• Build muscle: Removing exercise-resistant fat helps you achieve a leaner look, but it’s the tone in your underlying muscles that liposuction helps reveal. Liposuction removes the stubborn fat that covers up those muscles.
  
• Eat healthy: A healthy diet is always important, but your goals before liposuction fat removal will be to boost your health for better healing and increase your skin elasticity. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of foods that are high in antioxidants and water including berries, celery, cucumbers, Omega 3 fatty acids and squash.
  
• Stop using nicotine: By restricting blood vessels, nicotine decreases blood flow. Liposuction is an extremely delicate procedure, and your blood vessels play a major role in your results. Excellent blood flow also impacts your recovery process, helping you heal faster and lowering the risk of blood clots.

Liposuction procedure and recovery

During the liposuction surgery, your plastic surgeon will make small incisions in the areas where you’re having fat cells removed, and then insert a thin tube (cannula) that loosens the fat cells from the tissue. You'll be sedated with general anesthesia or IV sedation, so you won’t feel any pain.

Liposuction incisions are so small that most don’t require stitches. This helps you heal faster with fewer noticeable scars.

After the fat cells are dislodged, the surgeon suctions them out with a syringe or a surgical vacuum attached to the cannula.

Liposuction fat removal is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you'll go home afterward. If a significant amount of fat is being removed, however, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Care after liposuction surgery

Your doctor will give you compression garments or elastic bandages to wrap around the areas that were treated with liposuction. These wraps help reduce swelling and contour your body to its new shape. You’ll need to wear the garments about six weeks, or until the swelling subsides. You may also have some small drains at your surgical sites to prevent fluid from building up around your liposuction incisions.

Expect moderate pain and soreness during the first few days of your recovery from liposuction. Prescription pain medication from your doctor will make the pain more manageable. You’ll also want to limit your activity for the first few days after liposuction.

Types of liposuction surgery

• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction: Before the liposuction procedure, ultrasonic waves liquefy fat in your target area. This method is often used for stubborn areas such as the knees, neck, chin, feet and ankles.
  
• Laser-assisted liposuction: Medical laser beams liquefy the fat cells, which are then suctioned out.
  
• Tumescent liposuction: The plastic surgeon injects a solution before the liposuction procedure that hydrates the fat, which makes it easier to remove. The solution constricts capillaries to reduce the likelihood of bleeding and lessen the chances of complications during surgery. As an added benefit, this liposuction procedure results in minimal bruising.

Maintaining liposuction results

The best ways to maintain your liposuction results include:

• Staying at your post-liposuction weight: The fat cells that are removed during liposuction surgery will not return, but any remaining cells can increase in size if you gain weight.
• Exercising regularly: Get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet: Make sure to limit processed foods, which contain sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fat.
• Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain energy levels and helps prevent hunger that can lead to unhealthy snacking.

Liposuction surgery risks

Like any plastic surgery procedure, there are risks associated with liposuction. During the liposuction procedure, it’s possible to experience puncture wounds or injuries to other organs, anesthesia complications, blood clots or nerve damage.