The Lowdown on Liposuction
Maybe you’ve been interested in liposuction for a while but haven’t brought yourself to even schedule a consultation. We’re here to go over some of the basics about liposuction including what makes a good candidate, what happens during the actual procedure, and about the typical recovery time.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
The main criteria for an ideal candidate for liposuction is that the patient is in good overall health beforehand but should have one or more areas of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise. These areas are usually the abdomen, thighs, back, arms, hip, buttocks, chest, ankles, and calves. Liposuction can also be performed with other cosmetic procedures like abdominoplasty.
What is the liposuction procedure like?
The most common lipo technique is called tumescent liposuction. This method can be assisted by the use of an ultrasound or laser technology. The best thing about this procedure is that it can be performed on an outpatient basis.
During a tumescent lipo procedure, the treatment area is injected with a blood-vessel contractor solution made of saline and epinephrine. This solution makes the tissue swell up and become very firm, so the cannula tube can be removed much more easily. This method also helps minimize the amount of blood loss because of the epinephrine constricting your blood vessels.
What is recovery from liposuction like?
Following your liposuction procedure, typically patients will experience some mild swelling, discomfort, and even bruising near the treatment areas. Compression garments and elastic bandages are recommended to help reduce the symptoms and encourage your body to heal. It usually only takes a few days to feel well enough to return to work and other everyday activities. More strenuous tasks and exercise should be avoided for at least a few weeks, however. We recommend following all of your aftercare instructions to ensure you are healing as well as possible.
When will I see results?
Once the swelling and bruising subside, usually after about a week, the results of your liposuction procedure will become more apparent. The full amount of swelling should completely subside within a few months. Incisions are minimal, so the scarring is often not noticeable. These liposuction results are long-lasting unless of course, a substantial weight gain occurs.
If you’re curious about liposuction or any other cosmetic procedures that we offer, call (508) 567-3202 today to schedule a consultation. We’d love to discuss your options with you.
