The following information is to inform you about the surgical procedure known as liposuction (liposculpture).

The procedure consists of the use of a cannula (hollow, metal rod) and tiny incisions  to remove excess fatty deposits from various areas on the body. The fat is removed by generating a negative suction. It is particularly effective in removing fat from the lower face, neck, abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs and knees. Liposuction is best suited for removing localized fat deposits. While very effective, it has certain limitations and is not a treatment for generalized obesity. 

Who are the best candidates for liposuction?
Patients who are in good health and have good skin elasticity are the best candidates. In these patients the skin will contract well after surgery. Patients that have frankly loose skin and/or stretch marks are often better served by a procedure such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I can give you an assessment during your consultation as to whether liposuction alone will suffice. 

What type of anesthesia do you recommend?
I use general anesthesia or sedation. It is important that you are comfortable and don’t move during the operation. Some physicians recommend doing it in their office with local anesthesia only. I strongly discourage this. 

Can I go home the same day?
It depends on how much liposuction you have done. If the amount is small or moderate you can go home. If larger amounts are removed you will be required to stay overnight.

How is the procedure actually done?
Small incisions are made around each site to be treated. The incisions are about ¼ inch long. A saline solution is then injected in the area to be treated. It contains an anesthetic agent and a medication to shrink blood vessels and reduce bleeding. This is known as “tumescent liposuction”. The fat is then removed gradually until the area is smooth.

What is the post operative care?
You will be allowed to shower the day after surgery. Some simple care of the incisions is required. The sutures are removed about one week after surgery.

What is ultrasonic liposuction?
This involves the use of ultrasound to cause the cannula tip to vibrate rapidly. This causes the fat to break up and then it is suctioned out. It is a powerful technique but has a higher risk of complications than tumescent liposuction and probably offers no advantage for most patients.

Is it painful and what is the recovery time?
The level of pain with liposuction varies. Most patients feel very sore but most don’t complain of severe pain. You will be up and walking the day of surgery. You will wear a tight-fitting garment full time for two weeks (you may remove it to bathe). The most important point is that liposuction does cause a lot of bruising and swelling. Bruising is usually gone in 2-3 weeks. It takes 6-8 weeks for most of the swelling to dissipate and up to six months for final results. 

What are my restrictions after surgery?
The restrictions are minimal. Since the incisions are so tiny there is no danger of pulling them apart. Your limitations mainly depend on how well you feel. Although this is not recommended, I have had patients who have exercised the day after the procedure. 

I have heard it is dangerous?
Overall, liposuction is one of the safest surgical procedures. There have, however, been well-publicized cases of complications and even death. These are rare and have occurred most commonly when the procedure was done in poorly-equipped facilities or when patients are sent home after a large amount of liposuction. 

What are the most common complaints?
Most common would be an area of unevenness or a depression. This can usually readily be corrected. There is always some numbness but feeling usually recovers completely once the swelling resolves. Bleeding and infection are extremely rare. 

What if I gain weight afterward?
Liposuction is not a license to avoid exercise and eat an unhealthy diet. Patients who put on weight after liposuction usually gain it in other places. This is because the number of fat cells in a given area is constant once we reach adulthood. Liposuction reduces that number of and permanently alters one’s proportions. 

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