LIPOSUCTION AT POWER PLASTIC SURGERY
When you ask what comes to mind when considering the term “liposuction”, many people automatically think “weight loss”. Unfortunately this is not the case! Liposuction is a technique for improving contour and adding definition. It may be used to target focal areas of persistent fatty tissue that linger no matter how many crunches are performed. Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. Ideal candidates are close to their ideal body weight with focal areas of adiposity that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. The procedure is performed for body contouring, not weight loss, and skin elasticity is important for skin retraction and tightening after surgery.
Common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, neck (submental), and face (cheeks, jawline). Liposuction is performed in the operating room. Depending on the body region and anticipated duration of surgery, it is performed either under general anesthetic, most commonly, or conscious sedation for limited regions.
Post-operative compression garments are recommended to decrease swelling and aid in skin retraction. Liposuction is performed as out-patient surgery – unless combined with another surgery, such as tummy tuck – and patients are generally able to return to work within one week. It is necessary however, to refrain from strenuous activity or heavy lifting for one month.
What are common concerns of patients considering liposuction?
Patients considering liposuction commonly express concern regarding localized regions of fatty tissue that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. They seek contour improvement of challenging body regions as opposed to reduction of overall body weight. Liposuction may be a useful tool to address focal areas of excess fullness. It is not an effective technique for weight loss.
Who is a suitable candidate for liposuction?
A suitable candidate for liposuction expresses concern regarding localized fat deposits that are unresponsive to lifestyle modifications. It is important for patients to have reasonable goals when seeking liposuction and understand limitations of the surgery. Liposuction will not result in significant weight reduction. It may achieve sculpting and increased definition by removing localized fat deposits.
Body weight is one of the most important considerations when determining whether a patient may benefit from liposuction. If over 10% of one’s ideal body weight, liposuction may be less successful in body contouring. Based on clinical examination, Dr. Power may recommend a regimen to achieve weight reduction through diet and exercise before surgery in order to optimize aesthetic outcome.
In addition to localized fatty deposits, it is critical to have normal skin elasticity if considering liposuction. Once excess fat is suctioned, contour improvement depends on the ability of the skin to contract and tighten following fat removal. If performed on a patient with decreased skin elasticity, the aesthetic outcome may worsen since redundant skin will be more apparent following liposuction. For these cases, different surgical techniques may be more effective depending on the body region (for example, tummy tuck or neck lift surgery).
What are the different types of liposuction?
Liposuction may be categorized based on adjunct technology that is employed, including suction, ultrasound, power source, or laser. The most common technique for liposuction includes an external source of suction. Ultrasound assisted liposuction has also been developed, which may be effective in removing fat within fibrous body areas or if previous liposuction or other surgery has been performed at the site. Although it may liquefy fat before suctioning, ultrasound assisted liposuction carries risk of thermal injury to skin. Power assisted liposuction is driven by a small motor and is an effective technique, particularly when treating large body regions. Despite many different types of liposuction, there is no proven benefit of one technique over the others.
What to expect after liposuction?
You will wake up in the post-operative recovery area and will be wearing a compression garment. This applies gentle pressure to the surgical site and reduces the risk of bleeding, swelling, and fluid accumulation. Gauze dressings will be applied under the compression garment, which will collect any drainage from the surgical site.
Fluid is injected prior to liposuction, which serves to partially break down fat cells before suctioning and to reduce risk of bleeding and bruising. This wetting solution will continue to drain over the first few days following liposuction.
Instructions will be given regarding dressing changes. You will be able to resume showering starting the day after surgery. Prescription pain medication may be required for the first few days following liposuction and patients are then able to transition to Tylenol plain or extra-strength as needed.
What are potential complications of liposuction?
A comprehensive list of potential liposuction complications will be discussed in consultation. The majority of complications are minor, most commonly infection, fluid accumulation (seroma), or contour irregularities. The most common major complication following liposuction is venous thromboembolism – deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
Precautions are taken during surgery to reduce the risk of blood clot formation, including compression stockings on the lower legs and sequential compression devices. These devices decrease venous pooling in the lower legs during surgery. If additional risk factors are identified which place a patient at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism, surgery may not be recommended. It is also important for patients to begin mobilizing early after surgery. Walking short distances after liposuction also increases blood flow and decreases risk of complications.
What to expect on the day of liposuction?
It is important to begin fasting at midnight prior to surgery. Your appointment details will be provided in advance regarding the date and location to present for surgery.
You will be admitted and given a locker for your personal belongings.
You will meet the anesthesiologist who will be administering either your general anesthetic or conscious sedation if a smaller body region is being treated with liposuction. Dr. Power will see you pre-operatively to answer any remaining questions and to review the surgery and post-operative instructions. She will also perform surgical markings in the pre-operative waiting area before your surgery. Your blood pressure and other vital signs will be checked and then you will be taken to the operating room.
A surgical checklist will be performed in accordance with Health Quality Ontario standards to confirm patient and surgery details. You will then be placed under general anesthetic or conscious sedation, depending on the extent of planned surgery and your discussion with Dr. Power pre-operatively.
What is the anticipated recovery after liposuction?
Most patients are able to return to work or academic programs within a week of liposuction. It is important to wear the compression garment as directed, most commonly for one month following surgery. If submental liposuction is performed (under the chin), Dr. Power recommends the neck compression garment be worn full-time for 1-2 weeks following surgery. It may then be worn outside of work hours for an additional 2 weeks as tolerated.
It is important to refrain from exercise, heavy lifting, or strenuous activities for one month following liposuction. This reduces the risk of bleeding, blood or fluid accumulation within the tissues (hematoma or seroma, respectively), and swelling.
How much discomfort is to be expected following liposuction?
Most patients do not report significant discomfort following liposuction. It is a superficial procedure involving removal of fatty tissue through limited skin incisions. The tumescent fluid that is injected at the beginning of the case provides analgesia over the first few hours post-operatively. Patients may require prescription pain medication for a couple of days following surgery. They are generally able to wean quickly to Tylenol plain or extra-strength and then to completely discontinue all analgesia within a few days. Cold compresses are also beneficial for 48 hours post-operatively to reduce discomfort and swelling.
Liposuction FAQs
Are you put to sleep for liposuction?
Can I get liposuction if I am overweight?
Can visceral fat be removed?
Does a tummy tuck remove fat?
How can I lose tummy fat fast?
How can I reduce my stomach fat?
How dangerous is liposuction?
How do I prepare for liposuction?
How long do you need off work after liposuction?
How much does it cost to get liposuction on your stomach?
How much does liposuction cost without insurance?
How much fat can lipo remove?
Is there a weight requirement for liposuction?
What can you eat after lipo surgery?
What do they do with liposuction fat?
Who is good candidate for liposuction?
Does fat come back after lipo?
Does liposuction get rid of cellulite?
Does liposuction really work?
How can I avoid weight gain after surgery?
How do you shower after liposuction?
How does fat transfer work?
How does Lipo work?
How long do you drain after lipo?
How painful is liposuction recovery?
Is it easier to lose weight after liposuction?
Is Lipo permanent?
Is liposuction an outpatient procedure?
What types of liposuction are there?
What is the best type of liposuction?
Are antibiotics required following liposuction?
How long does swelling last after liposuction?
When may I resume exercise after liposuction?
How many areas may I have treated with liposuction during one procedure?
How much weight will I lose after liposuction on average?
When may I return to work after liposuction?
May liposuction be combined with other surgeries?
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
“First..let me start by saying. I am not the kind of person to leave reviews (good or bad) but after the incredible experience I had with Dr. Stephanie Power and her team I’m finding myself looking for ways to show my appreciation and support for what it is they do. From the first consult all the way to my final post procedure follow up. It was obvious that Dr. Stephanie is not only GREAT at what she does, but she deeply cares about her patients and results. I know how difficult it is when you’re doing your research.. weeding through all these websites and reviews trying to figure out who is not only great at what they do but who will actually care about you and your results as much as you do. My most sincere hope is that anyone who is searching for the right doctor and feeling overwhelmed and unsure, reads this and visits Dr. Stephanie. If all plastic surgeons were as talented and practiced with as much care as she did..I would not feel the NEED to find somewhere on the internet to write this. Oh and my results…EVERYTHING I dreamed of and more!"
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Liposuction is an effective tool for body contouring if performed in appropriately selected patients. Please contact us to schedule your consultation and to learn if liposuction is right for you.
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"The biggest hurdle for a lot of women is coming in for the consultation. Many do not want to appear vain or they feel guilty about finally spending money on themselves."
- DR. STEPHANIE POWER