A quick guide with answers for the most asked liposuction questions.
-What is liposuction?
-Where on the body can you have liposuction?
-Benefits of liposuction?
-How does liposuction work?
-Is liposuction safe?
-How much is liposuction?
-What is recovery like for liposuction?
Are you feeling ready for the summer bikini season? If you are looking for a procedure to bring you closer to your dream body, liposuction might be the right option for you. Liposuction is the most common plastic surgery procedure in North American with more than 300,000 procedures per year in just the United States alone.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is also known as lipoplasty, liposculpture suction, lipectomy, or lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and takes out unwanted fat from the body.
Liposuction can help you remove unwanted fat from the body that can not be removed by diet and exercise. This procedure suits patients that wish to change or enhance the contours of their body.
When an individual gains weight the fat cells are growing in volume and weight. Liposuction reduces the amount of cells in a given area.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Like other surgical procedures, Liposuction is not suitable for everyone. You’ll want to ask our Surgeon, Dr. Tumi for their professional opinions to learn if liposuction is suitable for your body.
To be a good candidate you must be:
- 30% close to your ideal body weight
- able to maintain a stable body weight
- a non-smoker
- have firm elastic skin
- exercise regularly
Liposuction is recommended when lifestyle changes have not achieved the desired body contouring goal.
What Areas of the Body is Liposuction for?
- Abdomen
- Back
- Chest
- Arms
- Buttocks
- Inner Knees
- Hips
- Neck area
- Thighs, inner or outer
- Neckline
- Love Handles
What are the Benefits of Liposuction?
When you work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but do not have the body contour you desire, liposuction can help those trouble areas. The benefits of liposuction go beyond when is commonly associated with this cosmetic surgery. Here are some medical conditions that can be treated with Liposuction:
Lipomas – Begnin, fatty tumours
Extreme weight loss – after obesity
Lymphedema – A medical condition where excess fluid known as lymph collects in tissues, causing swelling. This typically happens in the arms or legs. Liposuction is sometimes used to reduce swelling, discomfort, and pain.
Gynecomastia – When fat forms under a man’s breasts.
Lipodystrophy syndrome – Fat is accumulated in some areas but not in others.
What Can Liposuction Not Do?
Liposuction is not an overall weight-loss method or a treatment for obesity. The procedure does not remove cellulite, stretch marks or dimples and is best for those who are close to their goal and just need a little help.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Fat is removed by first inserting a small tube called a cannula through tiny incisions close to the area to be suctioned. Incisions are very small – usually under a quarter inch.
Is Liposuction safe?
As with any major surgery, liposuction can carry risks. There could be risks of implications including bleeding and a reaction to anesthesia. While the majority of people do not experience complications, it’s important to understand and discuss the risks with Dr. Tumi during your consultation.
What are the Results like for Liposuction?
Your new body contour from Liposuction will be visible after the swelling and fluid retention goes down, a few weeks after the procedure. In some situations, it could take several months. In most cases, swelling goes down within 4 weeks. At the 4 week point, the area where fat was removed should appear to look less bulky. Those who maintain a healthy lifestyle are more likely to see permanent results.
How Much is Liposuction?
Liposuction prices can vary, but the Barrie Plastic Surgery office offers financing. This can make the investment of Liposuction more affordable and achievable.
How do I Prepare for my Liposuction Surgery?
Here are some common things to do before your surgery in the week before to prepare for when you return home:
- Arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after your surgery day.
- Stock up on antibacterial soap.
- Put aside some comfy clothes or pyjamas to make it easy when you return home.
- Gather some entertainment items to occupy yourself while you are resting like magazines, newspapers or a good book.
- Low sodium foods, they will keep swelling down and increase food retention.
- Reframe from drinking alcohol.
- Do not shave the area for one week before surgery, this will decrease the chance of infection.
- Reframe from smoking.
- For the week before do not take aspirin or Ibuprofen.
- Do not take herbal supplements two weeks before your surgery day.
Here are some common things to do the night before your surgery:
- Bathe and wash your hair. After your surgery, you will have bandages that you will want to keep dry.
- Do not eat or drink anything within 8 hours before your surgery. If you were to eat or drink during this time period you may have to cancel and reschedule your appointment.
- Have a great night’s sleep.
Here are some common things to do the day of your surgery:
- You can brush your teeth but do not swallow any water.
- Do not wear any jewelry, skincare products, makeup or nail products.
What is Recovery Like for Liposuction?
You can usually return to work in just a few days, though you may still have some swelling and bruising which usually subsides within a couple of weeks. Allow for a few weeks before resuming your normal activities — including exercise. During this time, expect some contour irregularities as the remaining fat settles into position.
Dr. Tumi’s liposuction patients may be asked to wear a compression garment for the first several days after surgery so that the tissue can “learn” its new shape.
It is not uncommon for a touch up to be required later to further improve an area that has been treated.
How do I choose a Plastic Surgeon?
Choosing the right plastic surgeon for you is an important part of your liposuction experience. Ensure your surgeon has recognized cosmetic surgery credentials. Dr. Tumi is a member of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ontario Medical Association, and the Canadian Medical Association.
Dr. Tumi has decades of experience in plastic surgery and can provide you with an expert medical opinion. We believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable with their body, and affordability should not be an obstacle. Feel free to contact us at any time to set up a consultation. The team at Barrie Plastic Surgery is also proud to offer financing to our patients.
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