What to Expect During and After Liposuction?

liposuction

What to Expect During and After Liposuction?

Liposuction is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure used for the removal of stubborn body fat that exercise and diet cannot get rid of. The majority of individuals considering this cosmetic surgical procedure want to get rid of excessive fat deposits in areas such as the thighs, abdomen, saddlebags, neck (double chin), back, arms, or hips.

These individuals have tried dieting and exercising, but are unable to achieve the results they desire, hence, the decision to undergo a liposuction procedure.

It should be noted that this procedure should not be mistaken for a weight loss treatment. It is vital that you talk to your doctor so that you are well aware of your options before proceeding with cosmetic surgery.

Prior to liposuction, the doctor will have to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. An ideal candidate should be non-smoker, within 30% of their ideal body weight, without excess skin.

What To Expect during a Liposuction procedure?

Types Of Liposuction Procedures

There are various types of liposuction techniques that the surgeon may opt to use. The selected technique, however, will depend on your treatment goals, the target areas of the body, and whether or not you have had a liposuction procedure in the past.

Some popular types of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:

  • Traditional liposuction – with this technique, the surgeon will infiltrate anesthesia into the target area. Then, inconspicuous incisions are made, and a cannula is passed through the skin. The cannula is connected to a suction that will aspirate the excess fat and fluids from the target area.
  • Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction, UAL – Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is sometimes used instead of the traditional liposuction procedure. With this technique, the surgeon uses a metal rod that emits ultrasonic energy. The rod is inserted beneath the skin, where it is used to rupture the fat cells, which facilitates the removal process.
  • Laser-assisted Liposuction, LAL – in laser-assisted liposuction, high-intensity laser light is used in breaking down the tough fatty cells, before they are emulsified and finally removed from the body using a cannula.
  • Power-assisted Liposuction, PAL – with this method, a cannula that moves in a quick back and forth motion is used to create a vibration within the tough fatty cells, which are then extracted more quickly and easily. This method is commonly used today because it allows easier fat extraction.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Depending on the liposuction method settled upon by your surgeon, general anesthesia or local anesthesia may be used. The surgeon will start by drawing on your body to delineate where the excess fat is located. Once the drawings have been completed, the surgeon will administer anesthesia, and then perform liposuction using the most appropriate technique, determined before the procedure.

After the procedure is complete, a compression garment may be applied to compress and support the areas where the body fat has been removed.

The Liposuction Recovery Process

Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure, and you can always expect to go home once the procedure is done. A typical recovery process after the procedure, is as follows:

The First Three Days

Immediately after getting discharged, you will leave with a compression garment that you will wrap around the treated areas. These garments should be worn diligently (23 hours a day), since they will ensure that you don’t experience unnecessary swelling. In addition, these garments also help to contour your body into its new shape.

For the first few days, it is recommended that you get as much help as you can, in terms of dealing with your day-to-day activities.
Following the procedure, it is also normal to experience moderate soreness and tenderness.

Between Week 1 – 2

At this time, most people feel comfortable resuming light work. However, if the job is physically demanding, then you may need additional rest, depending on the treated area.

Between Week 3 – 5

Strenuous physical activity can be resumed between 4 and 6 weeks after liposuction. After four weeks, most individuals will be able to fully resume work. However, swelling and induration is still common at this stage.

Week 6 and Beyond

Compression garments can be discontinued between 4 and 6 weeks. Your body will continue to heal and final results are usually seen between 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion

Liposuction may be a good approach to removing excess fat, once you have determined that dieting and exercising may not be an effective solution. However, this procedure does not treat loose skin. For a plastic surgery that removes fat and loose skin, you may require body contouring.

For more information on how much liposuctions in Montreal cost, click here.