Liposuction

If you are bothered by stubborn areas of fat that are not responding to diet and exercise, liposuction may be an option for you.  Liposuction is best used to target localized areas and is not meant to be a weight loss method.  The best candidates for liposuction are patients with good skin quality and elasticity (no loose skin) and who maintain a normal weight but have particular problem areas such as the tummy, inner or outer thighs, or under the chin (submental area).  Dr. Owens often performs this popular procedure by itself or in combination with other body contouring procedures like tummy tuck, brachioplasty, or thigh lift.  It can be combined with facelift as well for more refined contours at the jawline. 

During your consultation, Dr. Owens will review your goals and whether liposuction is the best solution to achieve those goals.  You will learn about expected downtime and risks, which can vary depending on your medical history and areas to be treated. If liposuction is right for you, the procedure can help define and improve contours to be more harmonious with other areas.  The results last a lifetime, as the fat that is removed is permanently destroyed.  It is important to maintain your weight after the procedure, as significant weight gain or weight loss may change your body proportions after liposuction.  Areas that have not been treated may appear disproportionally larger as those fat cells will store more fat than the treated area.

Preparing for Liposuction

Discontinue any medicines that may thin your blood 14 days prior to surgery, including aspirin, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.  Discontinue any dietary supplements including garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, vitamin E, fish oil, St. John’s Wort, or other combination supplements as they may also increase your risk of bleeding and bruising.  Stay well hydrated in the week leading up to surgery and eat a healthy well-rounded diet.  Talk to Dr. Owens about any prescription medicines you may need to take before the surgery.  You will get medical clearance from your primary care doctor if needed and routine lab work will be reviewed.  You will meet for a preoperative visit and review the planned procedure and Dr. Owens will answer any questions you may have at that time.  Prescriptions will be given for pain medicine, nausea medicine, and an antibiotic to take as a precaution against infection, and you should have these prescriptions filled and ready for the day of surgery so you won’t have to stop on the way home from the surgery center.

Liposuction Day of Surgery

In most cases your procedure will be done under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center, but in some select cases you may be a candidate to have small areas treated with local anesthesia and an oral sedative.  In either situation you will need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from the procedure.  Dr. Owens will see you and mark the site before the procedure, and the surgery may take an hour to several hours depending on the scope of what is planned.  Small incisions are used to access the areas to be treated, and local anesthetic is used even if you will have your procedure under general anesthesia, so it is normal to be numb when you wake up.  This helps to minimize need for pain medication. You will recover and go home in a compression garment which is to be worn for several weeks.

Recovery from Liposuction

After the procedure it is normal to have some numbness and discomfort, best managed with ice and over the counter medications.  You will have a prescription for narcotic pain medicine, and most patients find they are able to taper the use of prescription strength medicine after a few days.  You will be advised to wear your compression garment for several weeks, and during that time swelling and bruising may be prominent.  You may use over the counter medicines such as arnica and bromelain formulations to minimize bruising.  There will be small incision sites covered in tape strips that will fall off on their own in 1-2 weeks.  You may shower beginning the day after surgery.  You may return to normal daily activities including driving and walking in the first few days, and progress to light exercise after a week or so.  In general, it is best to avoid more strenuous exercise until incisions have healed and swelling has resolved, usually after 3 to 4 weeks.  Massage can be helpful to improve any residual swelling and sensation in the surgical areas and may begin at 4 weeks. You will notice your new shape right away, but it may take 3 months to appreciate your final result.  It is recommended that you resume a regular exercise routine and healthy diet to maintain your surgical result.