What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a procedure to remove fat deposits in problem areas of your body. The procedure destroys fat cells, causing them to liquify. The liquid fat is then removed using suction.
Why People Have Liposuction
People choose liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits on the upper arms, legs, thighs, abdomen, back, hips, buttocks, and other areas.
The Liposuction Process
Liposuction can be performed in several ways. The two most common methods are:
Ultrasonic Liposuction, which uses ultrasonic vibration to destroy the fat cell walls and liquify the fat. The liquid fat is removed with the use of standard suction.
Tumescent technique, which uses a local anesthetic and saline solution to break up the fat deposits, which are then removed with suction.
Typically, liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure with no hospital stay. In certain cases of large amounts of fat removal, an overnight stay in the hospital may be recommended.
What To Expect During Recovery from Liposuction
The liposuction recovery process can take several weeks. You can expect:
On days 1–3, your plastic surgeon will have you wear a compression garment or elastic bandage for the treatment area to minimize swelling and help your body achieve optimal contours. Small drains may also be placed to prevent fluid from building up. You may feel moderate soreness and discomfort, which can be relieved with pain medication. Avoid activity while you heal during this period.
On weeks 1–2, you may be able to resume work at the end of two weeks. You will also need to continue wearing your compression garment.
On weeks 3–5, you should feel very little pain or soreness, but you may still experience swelling. You should be able to begin light exercise after 4 weeks, but avoid strenuous activity.
After 6 weeks, you should notice very little bruising and swelling, and you can probably stop wearing your compression garment and resume normal activities. You should see optimal results after 6 weeks.
What You Should Ask Your Plastic Surgeon
Before choosing liposuction, there are some important questions you should ask your plastic surgeon, including:
- How many liposuction procedures have you performed?
- What are the benefits of liposuction?
- What are the risks of liposuction?
- How much downtime is involved with liposuction?
- What results can I expect from my liposuction procedure?
Want To Know More?
To discover more about liposuction, talk with an expert. Call Dr. Leo Urbinelli at PNW Plastic Surgery in Portland, OR. You can reach him in the office by calling (503) 208-2348, so call today.