Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Liposuction

You’ve finally decided to go along with your liposuction procedure, but you are feeling nervous before the actual surgery day.

Make your worries go away by staying informed and asking the right medical questions before embarking on this body remodeling “adventure.”

To help you better understand what a cosmetic liposuction surgical procedure is, what are the common risks and expected results, we’ve put together a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions.

1.    What “problem areas” can be tackled with liposuction?

Under normal conditions, liposuction can be performed on any localized fat-storage part of the body.  

The most frequent are where lipo is performed are the abdomen or “belly pooch” and side parts – also known as “love handles”, the inner and outer thighs, arms, and double chin.

Other common areas include the back of the neck, upper arms, bra strap area, and female and male breasts.

There are certain body areas where liposuction cannot be performed. These are very close to bone structures with sensitive nerves and vessels and other functional and sensorial areas.

2.    How much weight can be “shed” with liposuction?

People generally mistake liposuction for a fast weight loss program. We need to draw attention to that liposuction is a fat reduction surgery that should be performed as part of a full weight management program, including diet and exercise.

Liposuction can remove stubborn fat from different parts of the body. There is no specific amount of fat that can be removed in one procedure. For example, an abdominal lipo intervention can remove up to 5 liters, or around 11 pounds, of fat. 

The amount of fat extracted is dependent on several factors: the patient’s health condition, the distribution of fat, and the patient’s aesthetic needs and goals.

3.    Does liposuction reduce cellulite? 

While liposuction is highly successful in removing unwanted fat cells from problem areas, it does not get you rid of cellulite.

Cellulite is a skin condition triggered and conditioned by genetics along with hormonal disorders and metabolism. The orange-peel skin appearance is favored in people, women mostly, with an unbalanced diet and weight problems.

To reduce the appearance of cellulite, some patients combine leg liposuction with thigh lifting and laser intervention that may potentially smoothen out the skin dimples.

4.    After liposuction – is it possible to put weight back on?

Liposuction results are permanent only if the patient follows a healthy lifestyle, which includes low-calorie meals and regular exercise. Body areas that have been addressed with liposuction usually do not expand back in size easily again. However, fat accumulation may be seen in other parts of the body.

While individual results may vary, weight gain is possible in patients who do not follow the doctor’s post-operatory lifestyle recommendation. Weight gain is normal in women that experience pregnancy and maternity after the procedure was performed.

5.    How do I know if I am eligible for the procedure?

Liposuction may be performed in non-smoking, non-obese, healthy individuals only who have already embarked on a weight loss program and are close to their ideal weight goal.

These patients usually have excessive stubborn subcutaneous fat that is very hard to get rid of with diet and exercise.

Ideally, liposuction-ready patients have a good skin elasticity and muscle tone; loose skin may result in uneven or dimpled skin.

Before surgery, the patient’s condition is evaluated by the medical specialist who will perform the intervention. Lipo is not recommended in patients that are overweight, have chronic heart problems, a week immune system, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or seizures.

6.    What are the associated risks?

Liposuction is a cosmetic plastic medical intervention, and like any other surgery, it is associated with a series of possible complications: fat clots, infections, swelling, allergy to anesthesia or other medications, skin pigment changes, asymmetry, blood clots in the lungs, or heart and kidney problems. It all varies from individual to individual.

Many patients are also preoccupied with the risk of scaring. Liposuction is performed with a tool called a cannula, and it involves several very small incisions through the skin fat pockets.

After surgery, these small incisions heal rather quickly, and their appearance may be reduced with the help of skin lightening creams.  

7.    How long does a liposuction surgery take?

In general, most lipo procedures take between 1 or 2 hours, depending on the size of the area that will be treated.

A chin or neck procedure can take 20 minutes, while an abdomen fat or back removal procedure can take up to 1 hour.

The length of the procedure also involves the anesthesia you receive before getting into surgery and the amount of 30 to 45 minutes it takes for a patient to wake up from anesthesia. Usually, patients are allowed to go home the same day they had surgery.

8.    How do I prepare as a patient for liposuction surgery?

On the day of surgery, you should come accompanied by a friend or relative that can drive you back home from the surgical center. Also, 8 hours before the actual procedure, patients should not eat or drink anything.

You will also need to stop taking certain medications like aspirin, blood thinners, or contraceptive pills.

Patients who enlist for liposuction need to be non-smokers and generally in good health. To check if you are a good candidate for this intervention, you will be asked to take some tests.

Don’t worry: before you decide to undergo a liposuction procedure, your doctor will provide all the necessary details.

9.    What is the post-liposuction recovery time?

Recovery time for patients who undergo liposuction is anywhere between 1 to 6 weeks.

The recovery length depends on the size of the treated area; the bigger the size, the longer the recovery.

Inflammation will heal naturally, and you will be able to see the results in several weeks. For optimal post-recovery results, it is recommended that patients wear special compressing garments and limit physical activities.

10. Is it safe to combine liposuction with other plastic surgery procedures?

Yes, it is safe to combine liposuction with other plastic cosmetic procedures such as tummy tuck or breast implants.

One great way to achieve better results in one session is by combining a lipo with a tummy tuck which can redefine your midline and abdomen.

Final words 

In the last few years, liposuction has seen growing popularity amongst people who are interested in redefining their body image.

Thanks to continuous medical technological advancement, today, liposuction is considered a minimally invasive and safe surgical procedure with little post-recovery discomfort and immediate benefits for the patient.

Although liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, it is recommended for patients who wish to remove stubborn fat excess and get a new, better-contoured body shape.