Liposuction: What You Should Know

Liposuction surgery has been around for a long time, but a lot has changed in recent years. If you are considering body contouring with liposuction, there are some things you need to know about pursuing liposuction this year and beyond. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most important details of this surgical procedure so you can approach your decision with confidence.

Who Should Consider Liposuction?

Liposuction, contrary to popular belief, is not a weight loss treatment. It is a treatment that is designed to remove stubborn excess fat and unwanted fat deposits from the body, enhancing contours that might not be responding to diet and exercise. This means that patients should be close to their ideal weight before receiving liposuction surgery, and have good skin elasticity (meaning no loose skin that might necessitate a lift procedure like a tummy tuck). Many plastic surgeons say an appropriate number is within 20% to 30% of your ideal body weight. Of course, the ideal candidate is also a non-smoker without chronic health problems.

What Can I Expect from Liposuction Treatment?

The liposuction procedure is fairly simple. To begin, IV sedation will be used to put you to sleep for the procedure. For tumescent liposuction, the surgeon injects a special tumescent fluid containing anesthetic and medication to constrict the blood vessels into the treatment area. Other techniques like laser assisted liposuction or power assisted liposuction may be used. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted into the treatment area through a small incision. From here, a vacuum system will remove fat cells from the body. Finally, the incisions will be closed and you will be fitted with a special compression garment for your recovery.

What Can I Expect After Liposuction?

While you may notice some results after your surgery, there will also be some swelling and bruising in the treatment area. It’s recommended to take one to two weeks away from regular activities. In the weeks following treatment, swelling will fade and you may resume usual activities. From here, the results will be permanent. However, it is important for patients to know that you can still gain weight in the treatment areas. You will need to maintain healthy diet and exercise habits after treatment to keep your results as long as possible.

Liposuction in Charleston, SC

For many patients, liposuction is the perfect solution to stubborn fat. To determine if liposuction is right for you, contact us today to schedule your consultation at Port City Plastic Surgery. We are proud to offer this and other plastic surgery procedures to the residents of Daniel Island, Charleston, and the surrounding communities of South Carolina.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Widenhouse and learn more about your options for liposuction, contact our office today by calling or filling out our online form.