Liposuction
What’s it address: Stubborn areas of fatty tissue that are not responding to diet and exercise.
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Technique: Will be individualized for you.
Anesthesia: Usually general anesthesia. Can be conscious sedation in some cases.
Can be combined with other procedures
Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in America. Small incisions are made around your trouble area and excess fat is broken up and suctioned out. The fat is then thrown away or processed and transferred to other areas of the body.
There are several important details to know when considering liposuction:
· While liposuction is a relatively simple procedure, it is important to realize that complications after liposuction can be significant. It is critical to ensure your plastic surgeon has the appropriate training and experience to safely perform the procedure.
· Liposuction does not result in significant weight loss. It addresses specific stubborn areas, not overall excess weight.
· After liposuction, your skin has to shrink down to fit your new slimmer shape. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and it becomes less likely this will occur optimally. Significant weight loss can also contribute to the loss of skin elasticity. If you have lost skin elasticity, liposuction will likely leave you with excess skin, which may actually end up looking worse than having the fullness. In these patients, a skin tightening procedure (tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift) should be considered in addition to your liposuction.
Overall, liposuction is a great procedure when performed correctly and safely.
Liposuction Consultation
During your consultation we will have a thorough discussion regarding your concerns and goals of the surgery. Additionally, Dr. McEwan will review your overall health at length to ensure you are medically fit for the procedure.
The Procedure:
· Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that ranges from an hour to three hours in length. Having larger or multiple areas addressed increases the time and complexity of the procedure. Most of the time liposuction is performed under general anesthesia, but light sedation can be considered for those having smaller areas addressed.
· A wetting solution, called tumescent, is first placed in the fat to help separate it and control blood loss. The fat is then broken up and removed. The small incisions are then closed with dissolvable sutures.
Removing too much fat in a single operation can lead to very significant complications. As such, the most fat that can be safely removed in a single session is 4 liters. If you have multiple trouble areas, we may have to consider multiple procedures to ideally address them all.
Recovery:
· Recovery after liposuction is variable from patient to patient. Those that have large areas addressed have more recovery than those that elect to treat small areas. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days, though strenuous exercise will need to be avoided for about a month.
Postoperative Care:
· It is critical to wear a compression garment that covers the entire treated area after surgery. This helps reduce the swelling and encourages the skin to shrink down.
· While most patients are able to care for themselves after surgery, it is important that patients be closely monitored by friends or family for a few days after surgery.
Results:
· It is difficult to appreciate your actual result immediately after surgery because people tend to swell quickly after liposuction surgery. The swelling takes a while to go away, usually at least 4-6 weeks, and it takes even longer for the skin to shrink down. Dr. McEwan always encourages his liposuction patients to wait at least 3 months before evaluating their final result.