before the liposuction surgery
During your liposuction consultation, you should make sure to share your expectations with your surgeon. Point out the areas of your body where you would like unwanted pockets of fat removed. Your surgeon will need to examine these areas and determine if your expectations are realistic.

It is also important that you fully understand the liposuction procedure and get all of your questions answered. A number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique, and the super-wet technique, are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Any of these techniques as well as other variations of conventional liposuction may be recommended by your surgeon, depending on your specific needs and the surgeon’s preferred methods of treatment. Make sure to discuss the different options with your surgeon and understand the pros and cons of each method.

Prior to the liposuction surgery, the physician should provide a list of guidelines in preparation for your surgery.

the liposuction surgery
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.
Two of the procedures, ultrasound-assisted liposuction and tumescent liposuction, are the most commonly used techniques for liposuction. During liposuction, localized deposits of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body.

Tumescent liposuction has been performed in the United States since 1982 and is generally referred to as standard liposuction. Through the incision, your surgeon will fit the localized fat section with a tumescent fluid to make the fat stiff for easy extraction. A narrow tube or cannula is then inserted through a small incision and subsequently vacuums the fat layer that lies beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out.

Ultrasonic liposuction (UAL), similar to tumescent liposuction, begins with the insertion of a tumescent fluid to stiffen the extraction area. UAL requires the use of a tumescent fluid and uses either a metal probe or metal paddle to deliver ultrasonic energy and heat into fat cells. During the liposuction operation, fluid will be lost along with the fat, and it's crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.

after the liposuction surgery
Make sure to closely follow your surgeon’s advice on your post operation care. This will allow your recovery time to be significantly less. Your surgeon will probably tell you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

Check-up visits to the doctor after the liposuction surgery will be necessary to monitor progress after the surgery. Also, more extensive liposuction procedures require attentive after-care. Find out how your surgeon plans to monitor your condition after the procedure If you have any discomfort or concerns following the surgery, call your doctor to discuss the problems immediately.

As with any surgery, liposuction does carry some uncertainty but is normally safe as long as it is performed by a Board-Certified plastic surgeon and the operating room is adequately equipped It is important to keep in mind that although a well-trained surgeon and a state-of-the art facility can improve your chance of having a good result, there are no guarantees. Make sure to understand the risks and complications associated with each technique of a liposuction procedure from your doctor.

The information presented on this site is intended to be used for informational use only, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. If you are planning on having a procedure performed or if there is anything you don't understand about your procedure, please consult one of our physicians.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons click here or call (800) 505-3627.