Liposuction Description & Benefits

Liposuction is the procedure used to remove excess areas of fatty tissue from specific areas of the body. It can be performed on just about any area of the body including cheeks, jowls and neck, chest and breast area, upper arms, back, waist, hips, buttocks, inner and outer thighs and knees, calves, and ankles. Liposuction permanently removes a portion of the fat cells and so patients tend not to regain weight in that area, making it a very desirable surgical procedure.

Liposuction Procedure Steps

A conventional Liposuction treatment or a variation of it will usually take 1-2 hours per area treated, but longer procedures such as large volume Liposuction can take much longer, and may even need to be carried out in several procedures. All Liposuction treatments are tumescent, meaning fluid is pumped into the treatment area that is a combination of pain killer, adrenaline (to constrict blood vessels and reduce blood loss) and saline solution. The amount of fluid injected varies depending on the patient, amount of fat to be removed, and the surgeon's preferred technique. Typically, a volume of liquid equal to the amount of fat to be removed is used, though some prefer 'very wet' or 'super wet' techniques in which the surgeon injects a greater amount of fluid than fat to be removed.

In the Liposuction procedure, the cannula is inserted under the skin and first introduces the tumescent solution which helps break the fat away from the surrounding structures such as blood vessels and nerves. The fat is then aspirated, or suctioned out via the cannula. The surgeon will typically mark the areas to be treated before surgery so that he can 'map out' the area to ensure the right amount of fat is removed. Some surgeons actually weigh the amount of fat removed from each area to ensure he has worked symmetrically. After the fat and fluid are removed, the surgeon will stitch or staple the incision. Depending on the amount of fat suctioned, the patient may go home the same day or stay at a recovery center for observation.

Liposuction Recovery

The first few days after surgery, you should rest and elevate the body part which was treated. You must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications and you most likely will wear a garment. If it is too tight you should promptly notify your surgeon. During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery. The recovery and healing process to you swelling should subside within 3 weeks, and to aid the healing process your surgeon will probably tell you to begin light activity as soon as possible. Liposuction recovery times vary from person to person, however, you should be able to return to work in 3-21 days, depending on the extremity of your individual surgery, and normal activities including strenuous exercise can be resumed within 4 to 6 weeks. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several months to get an accurate picture of the results of your surgery. The small incisions used for access of the instrument known as a cannula, will fade over a number of months usually becoming barely visible. The results of liposuction surgery are usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by weight gain, aging, pregnancy and lifestyle factors.

Shop for Liposuction Recovery Products

You can find a way variety of products designed to help you have the best preparation and recovery from your procedure at the:

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Liposuction Side Effects & Risks

Possible risks of Liposuction include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks. Other risks more specific to liposuction may include indentations and irregularities. Some patients experience Liposuction side effects such as post-surgical dimpling, lumpiness, numbness, scarring or discoloration in the treated area, and it may be possible that follow-up surgery is required.

Liposuction Costs

The average cost of Liposuction is anywhere from $5600-6600, depending on the physician and areas treated.

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