9 Lipo Questions to Ask Your Liposuction Doctor

Plastic surgery continues to get more popular, with more than 17 million procedures done in 2017. And more than ¼ of those procedures were Portland liposuction. It turns out that many Americans want to sculpt their bodies by eliminating fat from their abdomen, sides, arms, legs, back, and more.

If you have been considering liposuction, you should make sure you have a board-certified plastic surgeon do the work. Before having liposuction, you also should ask your liposuction surgeon these questions:

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Liposuction?

The ideal candidate for liposuction is healthy and near their goal weight. However, it's essential to understand that liposuction isn't intended for weight loss.

If you are still significantly overweight, your surgeon will probably recommend losing weight first. Most patients of healthy weight who undergo liposuction are within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight.

Also, you should have reasonably good skin elasticity for the best liposuction results. If you have loose skin in the area you want to be treated, you may develop loose skin after the procedure.

How Much Fat Can Be Removed?

As noted earlier, liposuction isn't for weight loss. How much your surgeon can remove fat from your body during a single procedure will vary based on your health and aesthetic goals.

Generally, most surgeons will remove up to three or four pounds of fat and fluid. If you want more stubborn fat removed, you may need to have additional procedures.

How Do I Prepare For Liposuction Surgery?

Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions a few days before your procedure. Most importantly, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home from the surgical site.

You also will need someone to help you for the first day or two after surgery. After that, you will be sore, and it's important to rest and take it easy.

If you have small children, you'll need your friend or family member to help with them for a few days.

Also, you may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. Your doctor may do blood work to determine if you can be given anesthesia safely.

Last, you should not eat or drink for about 12 hours before the procedure.

How Is Liposuction Done?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure where the surgeon makes small incisions in your skin. Then, a very thin tube or cannula is inserted in the fatty area. The surgeon then sucks the fat out.

Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure. You will be given general anesthesia and usually go home the same day. However, you will need someone to drive you home.

When Can I Go Back To Work?

Liposuction is surgery, so you need to take it easy for a day or two. Many patients can go back to work after one or two days. It all comes down to how you feel after the procedure and how physical your job is.

How long is Liposuction Recovery?

Liposuction recovery patients can go back to work in a few days. It's recommended to avoid strenuous workouts for a few weeks, but taking a daily walk will help the healing process.

You will have mild or moderate pain for the first week, but this can be managed with prescription pain medication. After the first week, over-the-counter pain medication can be used if needed.

You'll recover faster if you get plenty of rest, hydrate, and don't smoke.

The most common side effects of liposuction are swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treated areas.

Your surgeon may give you a compression garment for the treated area. You should wear this all the time for a month or so, except when you shower.

Will I have Liposuction Scars?

The cannula used in most liposuction procedures is small, so the scars will be small, too. The number of scars depends on how many incisions are needed to remove the fat in the treated area.

Scarring also will depend on your skin condition and other factors. After a year, the scars are usually difficult to see unless you look carefully.

What Results can I Expect?

After surgery, there will be swelling and possibly loose skin. Because of this, it may take a few weeks or months to see your slimmer shape. But if you are patient, you will notice the difference soon.

The fat cells that are removed will not come back. But there are still some fat cells left in the treated area, and they can get larger if you overeat. Also, you can gain weight in other parts of the body, so it's essential to follow a healthy diet and exercise.

Liposuction Procedure With Other Procedures?

Yes. Some patients decide to have other procedures with liposuction to maximize their results. Popular options include a Portland tummy tuck, Portland mommy makeover, and thigh lift.

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. It can make a big difference in your appearance and self-confidence. If you are considering liposuction, talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon today for more information.

Questions to ask about Liposuction and Answers

Who is best for liposuction?

Liposuction presents a range of decisions, with the foremost and pivotal one being the careful selection of a board-certified plastic surgeon, preferably affiliated with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

How much fat can a plastic surgeons remove with liposuction?

The safe upper limit for excess fat removal through liposuction typically falls within the range of six to eight pounds, equivalent to three to four liters. Expanding the amount of stubborn fat deposits extracted beyond this range escalates the potential for complications.

What are the different types of Liposuction?

Tumescent liposuction, laser assisted liposuction, ultrasound assisted liposuction, power assisted liposuction, suction assisted liposuction and awake liposuction.

Request A Liposuction Consultation

Thinking about liposuction in Portland? Dr. Aric Aghayan is proud to serve Portland area patients at his practice, Après Plastic Surgery. He'll go over the options, goals, and why traditional liposuction and more to determine if you're an ideal candidate for this procedure.

References

10 Things To Ask About Liposuction and Body Contouring. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/liposuction-10-things-to-know-and-10-questions-to-ask

Liposuction Questions. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/questions