subject: How Much Is My Liposuction Going To Hurt? [print this page] Lots of people like the thought of liposuction (also calle lipoplasty and suction lipectomy). After all, the thought of being able to surgically and permanently remove excess fat from exactly the areas which trouble you--well, what's not to like about it?
If you answered "pain," you're pretty normal. A large number of people are apprehensive about undergoing cosmetic surgeries like lipoplasty because they are afraid of how much it will hurt. This article will give people a general idea of what sorts of pain patients can expect. Keep in mind, though, that individual experience can vary widely, depending on a large number of factors including the patient's health, the surgeon's skill level, and even some amount of luck.
During the surgery itself, you should not feel any pain at all, except for the intial poke of the needles. Chances are good that you will get your lipoplasty under local anesthesia. So, you will be awake, but you should not feel any pain. As the doctor moves the cannula (a hollow needle used in liposuction which breaks up and suctions out the excess fat), you may feel a sense of pressure, or a sort of pinching or tugging. If you experience pain during your surgery, make sure you alert your surgeon, because you have probably not been properly anesthetized. There is no reason for you to simply grit your teeth and bear it.
When your surgery is over, you'll probably feel somewhat groggy or woozy, but you will still probably not feel any real pain. This is because the local anesthesia typically lasts somewhere between 12 hours and a day after your surgery.
You will probably feel your worst pain somewhere between when the anesthesia wears off and a day or two later. Some patients describe this pain like the sort of muscle soreness that athletes experience when they exercise too hard. Most patients can control this pain with Tylenol. Don't use NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Advil, Aspirin or Motrin, because these could interfere with the healing process.
If you experience severe amounts of pain, or if your level of pain seems to be increasing, you may want to speak with your surgeon, because this could indicate complications.
If you would like to know more about what sort of pain you can expect from your liposuction, please consider speaking with a cosmetic surgeon in your area. Many surgeons offer free consultations to potential patients.
