Liposuction
When diet and exercise aren’t enough to lose unwanted fat, you might want to search for an alternate solution. At Gayoso Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, we want to help you feel confident inside and out. We want our patients to have power over how their body looks. If you have trouble losing fat, then liposuction might be the right tool to redefine your shape.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or lipo, is one of our most common cosmetic procedures. In this procedure, a plastic surgeon uses suction by way of a cannula to remove excess fat and contour areas of the body. We can target fat in areas like the braline, axillary (armpit), abdomen, hips, inner and outer thighs, arms, and submental (neck and jawline). If you’re interested in combining liposuction with other cosmetic procedures, you can discuss your options with your provider. Whatever area you want to target, and for whatever reason, our board-certified professionals at Gayoso Plastic Surgery and MedSpa will help you achieve the results you want.
Liposuction Disclaimers
With all procedures, we want our patients to be educated on all aspects so they can make informed decisions. With that in mind, if you are interested in liposuction, there are some caveats we want you to be aware of before you proceed. The closer you are to your goal weight, the easier your procedure and your recovery will be, but you do not have to be at a certain weight to receive liposuction. With that said, liposuction is not a weight loss solution. While the fat we remove is permanently gone, that does not mean you can’t regain new fat in different areas. After liposuction, you should continue a proper diet and exercise routine to maintain your results. We also want you to know that liposuction is not a treatment for cellulite or excess skin. If you want to treat excess or loose skin, we recommend looking into our selection of body lifts.
Our SAFELipo Technique
Overall, SAFELipo is a safe and effective procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. It offers several advantages over traditional liposuction methods, including reduced bleeding, less trauma to the surrounding tissue, and a faster recovery time.
Tumescent
The first step in SAFELipo involves separating the fat cells from the surrounding tissue by using a special tumescent solution. This solution contains a mixture of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine, which helps to numb the area, reduce bleeding, and ease fat cell removal.
Separation
In this step, the surgeon uses a specially designed cannula to separate the fat cells from the surrounding tissues. By gently moving the cannula back and forth, the fat is loosened, making it easier to remove during the aspiration phase.
Aspiration
Once the fat cells are separated from the tissue, your surgeon will use a different cannula to suction them out of the body. Depending on the size and location of your treatment area, your surgeon may use various-sized cannulas. Your surgeon will also work carefully to ensure that the surrounding tissue is not damaged during the procedure.
Fat Equalization
The final step in SAFELipo is to redistribute the remaining fat cells evenly throughout the treatment area. This prevents lumps and irregularities from forming in the skin and ensures a smooth, natural-looking result.
What to Expect for Liposuction
One of our providers will walk you through every step of the procedure at your consultation so you feel prepared moving forward. After your consultation and you schedule your surgery, your next meeting will be your first pre-op with a nurse. Your first pre-op will be around two to four weeks before your procedure. During this appointment, your nurse will go over your health history, previous surgeries, and current medications to make sure there are no complications. The nurse will also give you your pre and post-op care instructions and answer any questions you might have.
While the first pre-op was with a nurse, the second one will be with your surgeon. It will also be around two to four weeks before your surgery. Your surgeon will walk you through your procedure and answer any questions and address your concerns. Then on the day of surgery, you will meet with OR nurses who will prepare you for the procedure. You’ll also meet with the anesthesiologist so you can discuss any past issues with anesthesia. Your surgeon will then provide any last-minute answers or comfort you might need.
Recovery After Liposuction
Liposuction is a safe procedure, but it can take a while to recover, so we want to make sure your body heals properly. Common side effects post-procedure are swelling, bruising, pain, and tenderness. Your provider will give you a garment to wear after surgery to help with swelling. Aftercare includes walking frequently to prevent blood clots, when you can return to work, avoiding strenuous activity, and more.
As your body starts to recover, the results will show. Skin with good elasticity should naturally remold itself around the slimmer area. You should be able to see your full results up to six months after your procedure. Over the next year, the scars will fade. You and your provider will schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure you are healing well.
Consult Your Provider
At your consultation, your provider will educate you about the surgery, risks, and recovery, and answer any questions you may have. Consultations are your chance to tell us your goals and concerns so we can address these questions to help achieve your desired outcome. We will also discuss your health history, current medications, and past surgeries to determine if you are a good candidate for this surgery.
At this time, we encourage you to ask questions! We don’t want any patient to leave our office with unaddressed concerns. Your consultation is your time to explore liposuction. Our medical professionals are here to help you make an informed decision and feel comfortable proceeding to the next steps.
The Difference Between Liposuction and CoolSculpting®
If you’re researching which fat removal treatment is best for you, you might come across CoolSculpting® along with liposuction. Both of these procedures permanently remove fat but in different ways. While liposuction is a surgery that sucks out the fat, CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure that freezes away fat cells. Our Coolsculpting Elite® technology is best for defining contours within specific areas while liposuction can target larger areas.
One advantage Coolsculpting Elite® has over liposuction is the recovery time. Since liposuction is a surgery, there is a recovery period. You will have to take off work and rest before you can continue with your normal day-to-day. In contrast, Coolsculpting Elite® is known as a lunchtime procedure, which means there is little to no recovery time as it is non-invasive.
Also, while it is recommended for patients to be at or near their goal weights, it depends on you, your goals, and what you and your provider decide is the best for you. To know which procedure is right for you, ask your provider.
Liposuction Risks
Every medical procedure comes with risks, and though we take every precaution to reduce their likelihood, it doesn’t eliminate them. Before the procedure, we inform you of the risks at your consultation so you can make an informed decision. Your safety and comfort are important to us. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to talk to your provider before proceeding.