subject: Questions about Liposuction [print this page] Questions about Liposuction Questions about Liposuction
If you are considering liposuction, you probably have several questions. Here are some of the most common.
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is a popular plastic surgical procedure that removes fat from areas of the body when diet and exercise have not benefitted you. The areas the liposuction procedure targets include the abdomen, love handles, back, buttocks, and even the knees, calves, and ankles. Some patients have liposuction on several areas of their body.
Am I a candidate for liposuction?
If your health is good and you have areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise, then you may be a candidate for liposuction. Furthermore, you should be within 25 pounds of your ideal weight, have firm skin that responds well to changes in elasticity, and do not have frequent weight fluctuations. You must not be a smoker at the time of your liposuction procedure, or at least have stopped for several weeks prior. You must avoid taking pain relievers or supplements that thin your blood.
Is there more than one type of liposuction?
Yes. There is both Smart Lipo, also known as laser assisted liposuction, and tumescent liposuction. The laser in the Smart Lipo procedure targets fat cells and causes them to burst. This liquefied fat can then be sucked out with a cannula. Tumescent liposuction is the most popular type of liposuction performed in the U.S. This procedure involves a mix of anesthetic and saline to numb the area and swell it. "Tumescent" means firm and swollen. The fat is then removed with a cannula through a small incision. Both tumescent liposuction and Smart Lipo are minimally invasive.
What is liposuction recovery like?
Recovery depends on the location of your liposuction, and varies between patients and how well they respond to the procedure. Fat removed from larger areas, such as the abdomen, will have a longer recovery period. Most patients will be back to a normal schedule after two weeks, while still wearing a compression garment. You should still avoid strenuous exercise during this time. It may take several months for the swelling to go down, but you will begin to see what the final results will look like during this time.
